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Seniors, do you start in the house garden plants from seeds?

I am taking a giant leap of faith today....am starting plants for the community garden. I have just planted up a lot of little pots!!!

Public Comments

1. Buy them as young plants at the nursery. Peace.
2. I've tried it but they always grew real tall and spindly. I just buy starter plants anymore.
3. Buy them as small plants. Hard plant a garden before mid May and often around Memorial Day.
4. Yes Ms M we've grown many flowers and veg from seed, It took awhile to learn how to propagate them and after quite a bit of trial and error we've finally got the knack. At the moment though it's blowing a gale outside and our little lean-to where we keep all our seedlings is looking unsteady, hope it manages to stay upright. Good luck with yours.
5. When you plant seeds and grow in house until ready to plant outside it take longer for them to grow..if you plant veggie seeds it take even longer..It is better to buy the plant at it roots and plants them in early spring and cover before a frost should come again...=)
6. I have started plants from seeds indoors & outdoors (Florida) and I have had good luck, but you need to water often until you see them sprout. It is easier to start with seedlings that are already rooted, but sometimes depending on where you live you cannot find seedlings you desire so I do start with seeds. My parents were farmers and their crops were all started from planting seeds. Hope you end up with a great garden. Good Luck
7. Yes - there's nothing more 'satisfying' than planting seeds - and seeing them gradually emerge in their pots. I came late to such - as I did to astronomy and other subjects I remained 'clueless' about for half-a century or more. Follow the 'instructions' on the seed packets carefully. At this time of year seeds need to be 'started' indoors - to avoid being killed off by late frosts, washed away by rains, etc. (I assume you don't have a heated 'green-house' for such - and a windowsill or even-temperatured space IN THE HOUSE is the main if not only option.) I haven't done much for ages - but seem to recall SOME seeds flourish better if 'started' in the dark - but most simply need light, protection from serious weather changes - and a degree of moisture. Some seeds can be sown individually - most in small batches. Hardest part can be when - within a few weeks of growth - you have to 'thin out' the weaker ones - giving the stronger ones more space, light and access to the compost nutrients. (Mother Nature's 'works' - in terms of glorious flowering plants are magical - but hugely wasteful. Perennials which bloom each year in the garden are but the survivors of 1000s which perish as seeds in the soil.) But have faith ! And a lot of fun. If in doubt - there are 100s of Beginner's instruction manuals - and almost as many local experts ALWAYS delighted to offer advice/useful tips.
8. If you have enough sunshine on them each day they will do better, otherwise they will grow slow and be wiry. I have started plants from seeds that I couldn't find in the greenhouses here such as yellow pear tomatoes and certain kinds of peppers. And marigolds, easy to start and cheaper than buying individual plants. If you have an oblong planter you can start a whole package and take it out during the warmer days to get more sunshine than what you would have in the house. I considered getting a plant light but never did it.
9. I start my plants after the last frost. Make sure they get sun and keep turning the tray. I've grown all kinds of flowers from seeds. Good luck.
10. This will be the first year I will plant inside since this is also the first year I have bought heritage seeds. I have gardened for about 10 years but have always gotten small plants. This year will be a new experience for me also and at harvest time, I will be learning how to prepare the seeds for storage.
11. I have never done this but it sounds like a smart idea to get things going. This year I am doing most of my planting in pots. This should cut down on watering plants in the ground, it takes more water for lawn plants and pulling weeds breaks my back. Good luck with your seeds. Poppy
12. No I don't have the proper lighting and they end up "leggy" and die. I buy from a nursery and have much better luck.
13. Yes, I have done this. Started seeds in small peat pots that can be put right in the ground when weather permits, and have also started them in empty egg cartons. So satisfying when you first see that little piece of green peek out of the pot. I have made a greenhouse, of sorts, for them by grouping the pots and covering them with plastic wrap. Keeps the moisture in. Give them as much light as possible and they love a misting. Because of weather here, I can't start seeds until late April. Then they're ready to put in ground around Mother's Day, which is the official start of planting outdoors for me. Ah, Spring. Can't wait!
14. I prefer to start my own tomato plants and peppers indoors. I also start basil, lettuce, and some flower seeds indoors. I used to start them in little peat pots but now I use jiffy pellets. I love the jiffy pellets because I get almost 100 percent germination. Then when the little seedlings are up I pop the planted pellet into 8 oz styrofoam cups. I use a pencil to punch three drain holes in the bottom of the cups. I label each cup with a ball point pen. Easy. Jiffy pellets cost me about 13 cents each. I have two heat mats that I set the jiffy pellet tray on. I recycle meat trays this way. When the plants go into cups. I set the cups on the trays to keep them warm at night. Mytransplants are healthy and work well for me. They aren't as good looking as some from the nursery that are started under perfect conditions. Give them about three weeks in the garden soil and they catch up. I like starting plants because it allows me to control varieties. I made a lot mistakes before I got it right. The heat mats have made a huge difference in my success over the last three years. Sometimes if the weather stays cold (like last year), I'll transplantt tomatoes and pepper plants one more time into 20 oz. styrofoam cups. This lets the root systems develop a little more. My target date for getting my tomato plants outdoors under frost protection is April 10th. (In southern AZ.)
15. No, my inside plants I have purchased from Lowes, with the exception of one philodendron which I rooted from a plant in the office about 9 years ago.
16. Yes.You can save a lot of money starting your own seeds and it's interesting too.Go to helpfulgardener.com for lots of info.A packet of 30 or more seeds will cost less than one potted plant. you can also save seeds from your plants for next year.
17. I plant directly in the ground when all danger of frost is over. It's easier planting them just once and the growing season here is long enough that it's not necessary to "jump start" them.
18. I find there are too many seeds in a packet to germinate them all. I did sew seeds for years but now find it a chore and buy plant plugs. Not much more expense and far easier to grow on.
19. I do some items. I start all my flowers from seeds and some vines too. It has worked for me and the growing process is fun to watch!