How to germinate seeds indoors:

I found this info on the web and figured it was good basic info for newbies.

Step 1:
Choose fresh seeds to start with. The germination rate of seeds declines with time. Seeds stored over winter from the previous season may not germinate at all. If you have to store seeds for any period of time, store them in a glass jar in a cool, dry environment or in a refrigerator.

Step 2:
Plant in an ideal growing medium. Choose a loose, aerated soil high in peat moss to germinate your seeds in. Keep from packing down the potting mix--it should be light and fluffy.

Step 3:
Provide proper water. After you have planted the seeds at the proper depth according to the seed packaging, water the seeds from below using a tray. Dump out the excess water when the potting mix has soaked up the water. Keep the potting mix from completely drying out and water only when the top of the potting mix has begun to dry.

Step 4:
Ensure the seeds have heat. Seeds need heat in order to come out of dormancy and germinate. Place them in a warm area or provide extra heat by shining an incandescent light at them or with a heating mat under the trays set on low.

Step 5:
Identify the seeds. Seeds will not look like a mature plant for several weeks after germination. Label the pots so you can identify the plants immediately.

Step 6:
Cover the seeds with clear plastic. Clear plastic seals in the moisture and humidity, which is crucial in getting seeds to germinate.

Good directions

I would add two things:

moisten the medium BEFORE planting the seeds -- if it's high in peatmoss, it's easiest to wet if you use hot water. Mix well and let cool before planting anything into it. You want it so little flecks cling to your fingers when you handle it, but it doesn't feel wet and you can't squeeze moisture out of it.

And while clear plastic film or lid is good for keeping things humid while seeds are getting ready to germinate, as soon as anything green is sticking up you need to start providing ventilation and a little bit of air movement. A closed lid, creating still, humid air is pretty much a recipe for losing seedlings to damping-off and other fungal diseases.


Pat, with rain and flooding again today, *sigh* but lots of bulb foliage and buds coming up in the past day or two

that is good info. The biggest killer when it comes to indoor starts is monitoring the water.

I always use hot water to water the seeds, cover with plastic film and put in sunny window until they germinate through the soil. I then "tent" the plastic film until the plants are up a couple inches. Works for me. :dance

Many seeds do not require light to germinate, only heat; in order to get the heat without turning on an extra light, I set my trays on top of the fridge-usually plenty of extra heat up there. I move them once I see signs of life.

I started seeds not to long ago and I put them on top of my oil furnace and they did quite fine. The heat is off now in the house and they are out in the "cold frame". I say it with quotes because all I did was take a 350 Gallon Rubbermaid Stock Tank and covered it with a piece of glass and that is all. I prop it with a piece of 2x6 and thats it. They have really shot up since going outside last weekend.