Get a jump start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors. There are two main things you need, heat and light. It gets a bit technical, but stick with me. It’s much easier than it seems.
Most people think the kitchen windowsill is the perfect place to start seeds. It’s actually one of the coolest, draftiest places in your home. All seeds need heat to germinate. Cool season flowers and vegetables typically like soil temperatures between 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm season flowers and vegetables like soil temps between 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s just a rule of thumb. Check the seed packet to make sure. Now, I know what you’re thinking…”perfect, that’s the temperature of my house.” Hold on, that’s the air temp, but the soil temp is going to be much cooler. I present to you, seed starting mats. You can purchase one like I use at the link below and it will increase your soil temperature about 10 degrees. Just be sure to double check soil temperature periodically with a thermometer.
iPower Seedling Heat Mat 10" x 20.5" Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad w- Durable Waterproof Design
Next up, light. That infamous kitchen windowsill is insufficient here too. Here’s the technical part. You need a shop light with bulbs that are between 5000-7500 Kelvin. That’s because blue light or cool light is the best for vegetative growth. Fluorescent or LED, doesn’t matter. Now, just hang it 2 inches above your seedlings (from a rack or underside of a cabinet). Seedlings prefer 16 hours of light. You can even put them on a timer, or use your Christmas tree timer, if you’re forgetful like me.
Now all you need is soil, pots, seeds…and a little bit of gumption. Happy planting!
