The simplest way to start your own seeds indoors: a step by step guide

Last week I shared what seeds you can plant NOW to have the spring garden of your DREAMS.

While there are a good number of seeds that will grow just fine if scattered by hand throughout the garden, there are SOME (my very favorites) that need to be started indoors first before you plant them outside. 

What I’m about to show you is how I start thousands and thousands of seeds in my house without any mess

AND!

This method ensures growing the healthiest transplants possible because they aren’t root bound. 

This method that I’m going to show you is called soil blocking, and it requires no pots, it’s literally making blocks of soil that stay stuck together. 

It’s FUN and EASY! 

Materials needed: 

-Potting soil (I like to use promix) 

-an old blender

-water

-tray (I use cafeteria trays, you can also use styrofoam plates) 

-shop light (of any kind)

I have a separate jar for my blendtec specifically for blending my potting soil.

Step 1: Blend your potting soil into finer particles 

This first step ensures that your soil will stay stuck together when compressed. 

Step 2: get your blended soil wet with a soil-to-water ratio of 2:1 

You want the soil to be pretty soaked, but not dripping water when you pick it up with your hands. If it pinches together easily, it’s ready. 

Step 3: Pinch your soil together into little balls–size depending on how big your seeds are. 

Almost all of my blocks are about the size of a centimeter cubed. I have also used golf-ball sized balls to grow bigger seeds like sunflowers. 

I use a special tool called a soil blocker that gives me 20 blocks of soil in one go, and if you’re interested in starting many many seeds at a time, you can buy soil blockers online from both the Gardeners Workshop and Johnny’s Selected Seeds. 

Step 4: Place your seeds on top of the block and gently press in. 

Fun fact! Most seeds (especially spring seeds) DON’T like to be covered with soil. They like to be gently pressed on top of the soil instead. 

Step 5: Place your planted soil blocks on a warm spot to help them germinate. 

It helps to place your tray or plate in a ziploc bag or oven bag to keep humidity and moisture high. 

I use a heat mat to generate heat for my trays, but you can also use a sunny window, the top of the dryer, or top of the refrigerator for a generally warm spot. 

Step 6: Once at least 50% have germinated, place them directly under lights. 

Most shop lights these days are LEDs, and so you can get them pretty close to the sprouts without burning them. 

I grow my seedlings under lights for 3-4 weeks before planting them outside. 

Step 7: Introduce your seedlings to the harsh conditions of the outdoors gradually, then plant! 

About a week before you plant outside, start to slowly introduce your seedlings to the wind, harsh light, and temperature swings of the outdoors. (1-2 hours the first day, 3-4 hours the second day, etc). 

If you have any questions, I’d be more than happy to answer them!