Hi! Let's learn about seed starting, aka growing seeds indoors.
The first thing you need to do, is find a vessel for your seeds and soil. There are many options for this. You can use origami paper containers, paper roll tubes, peat moss containers, recycled food containers, recycled plant containers, egg cartons, and my personal favorite is the Mckanti reusable seed starter tray. I used these kits this past spring and was very successful with them. Keeping the sprouts safe from the squirrels outside was another matter, but growing seeds was simple this time and I was able to easily reuse the growing kits multiple times and will have them to use this upcoming year as well. I am always trying to avoid plastic, so I may change in the future, but for now they are the easiest method I have found. These are BPA free, which I like.
Another important product for starting seeds indoors, is a grow light. There are so many options out there. I ultimately decided on this one by VShape, because it had three lights that I could point in different directions, and it was sleek and slim enough to tuck behind the table.
The next important piece to decide on, is the soil. I made a soil mix this past spring and I was so happy with how it came out. Not only did I get a lot, so I was able to use it throughout spring and summer, it was pretty simple and saved me money from when I was buying premade seedling soil mix. I have also done some research into those soils, and I just want to advise you to check out the ingredients, the US Safety Data Sheet, and if they test on animals or not. Because I did, and it's truly awful. The soil mix I used this past spring was a mix of coco coir, vermiculite, & perlite. I was able to make a huge batch and had success with the seeds growing. See how I did it here.
Once you choose your grow kit, lights, and soil, you are almost ready! Now it's time to choose seeds.
I will be back soon with a post about choosing seeds.
I hope you learned something, comment with any questions.
As always, do your research, follow your own inner guidance, and have fun.
Nicole