It’s been a while since I’ve started vegetables from seeds, so I thought I would try it again this year. We planted these back in March, so now that it’s May, we have transplanted the seedlings outside. We filmed the entire process, giving tips along the way. Make sure to check your weather forecast to make sure that it will not freeze overnight in your area before transporting the plants outside.
I show you in this video the whole process of starting vegetables from seeds:
- We planted the seeds in seed trays, using seed starting mix instead of regular soil, because the seed starting mix keeps moist better. You can use old yogurt containers or other small containers instead of seed trays.
- Make sure to have a grow light, which has the full spectrum of sunlight so that the seeds can get off to a good start. Otherwise you can place them in a sunny window.
- Put cellophane over the rows of seeds, to keep the seeds moist and to cut down on the amount of times you need to water them.
- Use a spray bottle to water, so that the seeds don’t get washed away.
- Some seeds grow faster than others. Some take a few weeks to germinate. As you can see in the video, the green bean plant sprouted high above the others, reminding me of the Jack and the Beanstalk story!
Starting Vegetables from Seeds (video tutorial)
After a couple of months, you will want to transplant the seedlings outside. Some of the plants were getting too tall for the grow light, but the frost outdoors hadn’t passed yet, so I just transplanted the taller seedlings into larger containers and placed them in a sunny window.
I have a raised garden bed in partial shade, so I chose veggies that like the shade, such as lettuce and spinach, to plant in it. Then I set up a trellis next to my house, and I planted the climbing varieties of vegetables along the trellis. Green beans, for example, need a structure to climb up. You might want to stake those up with a wooden shishkabob skewer like I did in the house in the sunny window, using a twist tie to make sure they don’t fall over.
Growing your own vegetables is a great way to eat healthier and tastier food. I will be growing an even larger vegetable garden next year!
Tags: backyard, fun spring activities, Gardening, plants, spring
I have not grown veggies yet. What kind of soil did you buy when you transplanted them outside in that big planter thing?
I look for organic soil made for growing vegetables or for raised beds.
I recommend a trip to a free garden centre. I love visiting my local ones in order to find out what sort of houseplants are there and getting tailored advice on general plant care. One of my closest ones has all sorts of fun events for the entire gardening community on the fascinating topic care of house plants etc. I would begin there and take it from there.
Failing that, try to use the official website of the garden centre. Alternatively see if you can find a free or cheap gardening book in a library/bookstore. Or search for helpful gardening tips and other relevant information provided online. If you live near any public allotments then you can aim to use the owners of those as a resource additionally in order. Make out brief summary notes. Best of luck.
Yes, and taking local classes on plants that thrive in your area can also be helpful!