How To Easily Set Up an Indoor Seed Starting Space
Seed starting indoors is a great way to get a head start on the growing season. Want to get started growing seeds but have no idea where to start? This process may seem intimidating, but I promise it isn’t. This post provides detailed instruction on how to easily create and set up your own indoor seed starting space in any room of your home.
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For the past few years, I have started seeds indoors in the middle of winter, tending to them until they are ready to set out in the spring to begin the gardening season! I enjoy growing a variety of cut flowers and vegetables, and have found seed starting to be both an affordable and fun option for starting a number of flower and vegetable varieties. Hopefully this guide will help this to be a fun process and not so overwhelming. I promise its easy once you have the right equipment in place.
First Things First… Pick a Space
Now, for most people, this is a basement, heated garage, or spare corner of their home. When I first began starting seeds, I set up a shelf on one wall of our spare bedroom at the time. We have since moved to a house with a basement, so I have set up my seed starting station in one of the rooms there.
It’s important to note that you more than likely will not need more than one little wall or corner in your home to start seeds. Indoor seed starting can definitely be done in small spaces! Unless you are planning to have a huge operation, you will have plenty of space to start seeds for your garden using one small area of your home. I start hundreds of flower seeds every year using just one wall in my basement.
I do not recommend starting seeds in unheated garages. It is simply too cold. Even with the addition of heat mats, you run the risk of poor germination due to temperature. For more thorough information on this, check out my Seed Starting 101 Guide here.
What You’ll Need
Seed starting shelf
Seed Starting Shelf
For beginners, just get one shelf to start. It may not seem like much for the ambitious seed starter, but you can fit hundreds, if not thousands of seeds using one utility shelf.
You could go a couple of different routes here. If you have the means and ability to build one yourself, you can absolutely do that. My husband built a wooden grow shelf (pictured below) for me when I first dived into starting seeds using 2x4s and plywood from Lowe’s. At the time, this cost around $50.
If you don’t want to invest the time into building one from scratch, you can choose to buy any supply shelf online or from your local hardware store. These are readily available at Lowe’s or Home Depot (like this one linked here), as well as online stores like Amazon. My only recommendation would be to make sure to get one that has sturdy shelves. I would not recommend plastic.
LED Lights
Once you have your shelf bought and set up, you are basically done! Now comes one of the most important components to starting seeds: light. It is crucial that your baby plants have enough light to allow them to grow!
Most people recommend some type of fluorescent lights for seed starting. Hear me when I say you do not need a fancy grow light to start seeds. This can very easily be done with LED shop lights! I have used them for years and have found they work well for seed germination. From what I have researched and what has worked well for me, lights that are around 4000lm and 5000K do the trick. Basically, you want the lights to be bright enough that they will promote germination and growth, but not so bright and hot that they hurt the seedlings. These lights do just that! They are affordable, easy to install, and energy friendly. I also recommend LED because you don’t have to worry about the lights getting hot.
The ones I have linked below are the ones I personally use and love. They are 4 ft long, which is the perfect size for any grow shelf. They also come with all of the hanging accessories you need. The only thing you will have to invest in to hang the lights off of your shelf is a small pack of s hooks, which will cost around $2-$3.
You can choose to hang these lights using the included hanging chains (which is what I do and is definitely the easiest way to do it) or directly mount them to the shelf with mounting screws.
These lights are also linkable, meaning you can use a plug connection to connect them together. This really comes in handy to link multiple lights together on your grow shelf.
I have found the best way to hang these LED lights is to attach them to the chain using s hooks. Since this grow shelf is wooden, we screwed cup hooks into the wood. If the grow shelf you use is a metal utility shelf, you will not need the cup hooks. You can simply use another s hook to hook the chain to the shelf.
Light Hanging Supplies
I recommend installing two sets of lights per shelf. On the shelf that you want to hang the lights off of, use the S hook to hook over one of the brackets on that shelf. Then, use a second S hook to attach to the chain (the chain typically comes included when you purchase the lights), which will also attach to the light. The chain really comes in handy because you will need to lower and raise the light as your seeds grow.
That’s it! Very easy and beginner friendly.
If you want to go one step further, it’s a great idea to connect your grow lights to a timer. This ensures the seedlings will always be getting the proper required light (around 15 hours a day) and eliminates the hassle of remembering to always turn the lights on and off. I have mine set to turn on at 6 am and turn off at 11 pm.
Now comes the fun part! Starting the seeds! I definitely recommend doing some research into your last frost date for your area. It is important you are starting the seeds at the right time! To do this, you will need to research your growing zone, and then search for your average last frost date. For example, I grow in Zone 7A, and our average last frost date is May 10th. Keep in mind this date is an average and can vary, but it will give you a good starting point. It will also give you an idea for when it is safe to plant your young plants out into the garden.
Seed Starting Trays: What to Know
Seed trays are readily available just about anywhere. They can be found at your local hardware and big box stores, garden centers, and online. You can choose to purchase any kind of brand of seed starting trays. I just recommend looking for sturdy ones that include both a bottom water tray and a humidity dome. I really like these from Amazon.
Seed Starting Mix
It is important you use a potting mix that is specific to seed starting. Seed-starting mix is not the same as garden soil and is much lighter and fluffier than regular potting mix. This allows for better germination and easier growing and root establishment for your baby seedlings. It is also readily available at any garden center, big box store, or online.
If you are looking for a specific brand recommendation, Espoma makes great products. I personally have used their seed starting mix, as well as many of their fertilizers and soil amendments.
How To Make Soil Mix
To create your soil mix, grab yourself a big ole bowl or container, and begin by throwing your seed-starting mix in. Then, using a watering can or pitcher, gradually pour water into the mix, using your hands to mix it together. It is a good idea to add the water slowly, mixing in a little at a time until your mix is the right consistency. You want your soil to be wet enough to stick together, but not so wet that it is sopping and dripping wet when you pick up a handful. Its a fine line, but one you will quickly get the hang of the more you do it.
Add to your seed tray and plant seeds according to package directions. Detailed directions for planting seeds can be found on the back of your seed packet. I usually prepare for planting by taking my finger or the end of a pencil to poke holes into the dirt of each plug. This can vary, as you may be planting some incredibly tiny seeds, some big seeds, and so on. Top with vermiculite and water in the seeds using a spray bottle filled with water. Use a humidity dome to cover tray. If you don’t have a humidity dome, you can simply use plastic wrap to cover the trays. I do this often!
See my recommendations for seed sources and more detailed tips here.
Other Recommended Tools
- Vermiculite
- Spray Bottle
- Timer– this helps ensure the seedlings will get enough hours of light per day
- Heat mat– heating mats help to keep your soil temperatures warm, improving germination rates for many seeds
Psssst… new to gardening? Check out my quick checklist that provides a list of a few of my absolute favorite gardening staples that I have relied on to give me great success in the garden, while also keeping the garden free from chemicals that can harm us and our pollinator friends.
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Happy growing! What are some of your favorite things to grow every year?
