Start Seeds Indoors With Limited Space

Many flowers or veggie plants must be started indoors before planting out in late spring. If you're growing a balcony garden or you have limited indoor space such as a tiny apartment, it's still possible to start the seeds indoors without having your roommates sweep away your budding garden because it's taking up too much room. Here is how to start your garden indoors in limited space.

Steps

  1. Buy the flower or veggie seeds. Put them in the refrigerator so that the seeds will be fooled into thinking that they went through a winter. Read the directions carefully as to what conditions will be best for the plants to get them started like moisture, temperature, quality of soil and depth to plant the seeds.
    • All seed packets have the year date on them, so don't buy last year's seeds because fewer will sprout. Fresh is best.

  2. Round up leftover cardboard egg cartons, 12 can fridge pack soda boxes, tin foil, seed starting soil and masking tape. If you don't have enough egg cartons, buy the compostable seed starter cups from your local garden supplier.
  3. From here, use either of the following methods outlined in the next two sections.

Egg carton method

  1. Cut egg carton in half.
  2. Poke a hole in the bottom of each egg hole (especially important if the carton is not cardboard).
  3. Fill the egg cups with potting soil.
  4. Line the egg carton lid with a large piece of tin foil. Gently press down with your fingers to follow the shape without tearing.
  5. Place the egg cup side filled with soil on top so that they form leak-proof starting tray.
  6. Thoroughly water to moisten the soil, and plant the seeds.

Soda box and purchased seed cup method

  1. Cut a soda box in half lengthwise to form two shallow trays. Use masking tape to reinforce any weak spots or holes in the box. Line the inside of box with a large piece of tin foil. Gently shape the tinfoil without tearing. Cut the seed cups down to fit snugly in the box (about one regular and one half tray) Fill seed cups with potting soil and wet thoroughly, then plant seeds.
  2. Place the seeds on window sills, and remember to water per the directions.
  3. Rejoice. Your tender loving care pays off, and you will be able to plant flowers you started yourself!

Tips

  • You can also use Styrofoam cups because they are cheaper but you will have to punch a hole in the bottom.
  • Always buy a bag of potting soil because it will have good nutrition for the plants and a larger percentage of the plants will be healthy.
  • Even if you have not planned ahead enough to find the egg cartons, seed cups come in a pack of fifty for under $5.00.
  • Plant trays can be moved from windowsill to windowsill to follow the sun.

Warnings

  • Do not over water.
  • Be wary of leaks or holes in the tin foil liner. Water leakage could ruin the woodwork.

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Start_Seeds_Indoors_With_Limited_Space&oldid=283041"