What to Grow?

Choose plants that you can’t get at your local garden center. A good choice would be a flower, vegetable, or herb that you have trouble finding in the spring—like Stevia or Fragrant Corkscrew Vine. Also, if you need a large amount of one kind of plant, you might want to start the seeds indoors. Plants that need a longer growing season are also a good choice for your indoor garden.

Typical vegetables that are started indoors include tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, eggplant, squash, and cucumbers. Most of us can plant greens and corn directly in the garden but, if you live in the far north, you may have to start your seeds indoors to give the plants the time they need to mature.

When to Start?

So, how do you know when to start your seeds? The first thing you need to know is which planting zone you live in. This will give you the approximate date that you can plant outdoors in your area. Then read the back of your seed packet. It will tell you how many days they take to germinate and how long until you can harvest your vegetables. Now, count backward to determine when to plant.

The majority of plants will need about six weeks from planting to moving outdoors. There are seeds that will need to be planted as early as January or February, though, so check the package for sure.

When to Move Them Out?

You do want your plants to have at least two sets of true leaves before they’re moved outdoors. If everything is seeming right for moving the plants, they will need to be hardened off. Hardening off is the transition time given to plants to get used to being outdoors. In your house, the plants have never been in the wind, and the temperature has remained constant.

Suddenly, the temperature changes and there are cool nights and warm days. There is wind blowing them and rain will fall on them. Add to that, the sun is much more powerful than any light. So, your plants will need time to adjust. Move them outdoors into a sheltered area with filtered light, starting them out for just a couple of hours. Gradually increase the amount of time they are outside and expose them to more sunlight. Make sure they don’t dry out and, in a few days, they will be ready to be placed in their permanent home outdoors.

Biodome Makes Life Easier!

By far, the easiest way to start your seeds indoors is with Park Seed’s Biodome Seed Starter.

The Bio Dome has a sturdy plastic base and a clear plastic dome top to allow light in and to give room for the seedlings to grow. The dome top has vents that can be opened or closed as needed. There is a planting block that fits into the tray and has tapered cells into which you insert the bio-sponges. Each sponge has a small hole on the top, in which you place one seed. There is a packet of seedling food that is added to the water. This mixture is poured into the bottom tray. This allows your seeds to be bottom-watered. This is the best way to water the tender plants. No seeds will wash away, and the plants cannot be overwatered.

Once you have added the water, place the dome on top with the vent closed until the seeds germinate. Then you can open the vents as needed. That’s it! Everything is included in the kit except the seed!