How to start seeds indoors with step by step instructions and demonstrations// Northlawn Flower Farm

Today I'm sharing how to start seeds indoors and giving you step by step instructions on each task. The tools I use when starting seeds indoors are:
- 48 cell pack inserts, watertight bottom trays, and humidity domes - amzn.to/33Y8R0o
- Heat Mat - amzn.to/3HiXbU7
- Metal Storage Rack that is the same length as your shop light - amzn.to/3HfFBQU
- T8 Fluorescent shop light fixture with one cool and one warm T8 fluorescent bulb - amzn.to/3ufg6eL (Bulbs sold separately at your local hardware store)
- Professional grade potting soil - Frey Professional Potting Mix - Frey Group LLC (freygroupsoils.com)
Seeds
Water
Plant Labels (Old popsicle sticks work great)
Here are the steps I use when sowing seeds indoors -
Moisten your potting soil
Fill your cell trays to the top with soil ensuring no air pockets are present
Sow the seed as instructed on the back of the packet
Place tag with variety planted
Cover with humidity dome
Place on heat
Once 50% of the cells have germinated, immediately remove humidity dome and move to lights
Place the seedlings under T8 or T12 fluorescent shop lights. When using fluorescent bulbs the lights should be kept 2-3 inches from the leaf canopy at all times. You will need to raise the light as the plants grow. LED lights and T5 fluorescent lights are stronger and should be placed further away from the plants.
Once is it time for the plants to go outside start the process called "hardening off." This is where we gradually acclimate seedlings to the outside environment. Give them shelter and 2 hours outside on the first day. On the second day give them 3 hours outside and bit more of the elements. Continue in this manner for approximately 10-12 days.
At that point your seedlings are fully hardened off and ready to be planted outside.
More on the grow lights I use - • AFFORDABLE Grow Lights...
More on hardening off seedlings - • How to Harden Off Seed...

[@cranberrysprite3704]

Thank you from a 21 y/o M that needs a new, humbling, hobby.

[@ChazBword]

I know this is a 2 year old video, but I wanted to say thank you. I couldn't figure out why some of my plants died off so quickly after transferring outdoors. I've never heard of "hardening off" and this year I'm going to try that. Thank you so much for this video and the knowledge you've shared.

[@fechapm]

Excellent video. I just love how you show how this can work for anyone. And I also like that you look like all the rest of us, your dog walks around the house, you have dishes in the sink... it's like you are my neighbor, and we are having a chat over coffee. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@ashleyannbates3800]

WOW!! A video that actually explains all you need to know under 12 minutes. Thank you!!

[@cinda7234]

What a nice video and explanation on starting flower seeds. I love how clear it is without all the "filler". THANK YOU!

[@ajknaup3530]

Great tip about removing the humidity cover once the seedlings appear. I lost a bunch of seedlings years ago, I think probably due to too much humidity once the seeds had sprouted. TYSM!

[@TamiFowler1]

I love your radiator. I have a friend that grows plants under grow lights and they buy fans and attach a little fan to each shelf so it strengthens the plants.

[@JerriBerriW]

10:42 golden tips!!! to avoid major mistakes! listen to Danielle!

[@GardenMinistry.]

I've been saying we need more videos like this where people show us how to water and take care of baby seedlings. maybe you can elaborate more on this since there is a scarcity of info. When to fertilize, when to thin, when to know they're ready to be bumped up in size, signs of disease? Etc etc.

[@keithblack4775]

I'm planning to grow some perennials indoors for the first time this winter. So many DIY videos are of little or no value --they are simply poorly done. Thank you for yours; good camera work, simply and clearly stated, and you instill (sorely-needed) confidence. Thank you. In the Spring of 2023 I will let you know how I did. Thanks again from Ontario, Canada.

[@kathyprice5118]

Thank you. I'm on week 1. Seedlings came up in 3 days. That surprised me. This is my first year to use heat mats.

[@donbirkholz6842]

You could have a garden tour of all the houseplants in your house :-).

[@gracimeresarrazim4777]

i have to admit,I`ve been watching many videos about gardening lately ,the way that you explain the process is really easy to understand,since i am interested in starting my first garden this year here in canada,thanks a lot

[@angelaengler2387]

Excellent information Danielle! I especially liked that you included the steps about hardening off. That's important information for new seed starters that I think doesn't always get conveyed in some seed starting videos. Keep up the good work!

[@autumnmarchand6661]

You’ve been very clear and concise, you are a wonderful teacher 💗 Thank you so much 😊 I was struggling with my seedlings and you’ve helped a great deal. Also I love that you’re so relatable. I dream of being a small scale flower farmer because sand it I love growing flowers but don’t own acres of land so you inspire me 💚

[@dannyprice5219]

One of the best videos I’ve seen on seed starting. You are very easy to look at and I really enjoyed listening to you. You’re very sweet!

[@susankahn7219]

Thanks for this video. You have a wonderful way of explaining everything!

[@lovethyneighborasthyself]

Very helpful! 2nd year gardener here, I'm hooked. Thank you!!

[@flowerfarmarts]

Thank you, Danielle! You and Lisa Ziegler are my two favorite flower farmers! I appreciate your informative videos so much and look forward to starting my seeds very soon! It is so nice to know that I can successfully grow a large garden full of flowers without the aid of a greenhouse or high tunnel.

[@joycedagostino8869]

Thank you Danielle. Hope you have great success with your seedlings this year!

[@TIERRAYLOMBRICES]

I vote for a house plant tour too.😊

[@caroleprete2367]

You are the first to actually demonstrate hardening off. Thank you so much. I love how practical and low-tech your gardening ways are. It helps keep gardening available to everyone.

[@lornadoonefash2237]

Yep, practical and low tech, Which brings forth luscious, beautiful 💐 🌺 🌸 every time.

[@KAM0327]

Yes!!!!!

[@msmaddox2918]

This video was so helpful! I love that you explained every step so well and kept it simple! Thank you!

[@gardengirl7446]

Hi miss D! I started my lettuce a bit early. We got hit with minus 10 weather and lettuce cells froze solid. I brought them in from the sun porch and they snapped right back to life! Salads soon!

[@andersenjudith7114]

Thank you so much for sharing! I’m new at seed starting…not new at gardening! I have always loved plants and getting my hands in the dirt! Anxious to get started planting my seeds!

[@ruthwuebbeling9584]

Thank you very much for this in-depth video on starting seeds and the hardening-off process. I have used this method in the past and it works great. I love watching tours of your beautiful gardens. I hope one day my flower garden will be as lovely as yours.🌺🥀🌸💐

[@ginnysulya9805]

Great video thanks for showing the hardening off process as well! I rarely see anyone showing it! 🤗

[@MsElsarios]

Thank you Daniel, we can always count on you for the best tips! 🤗🥰💜

[@canadian-gardening-6A]

Thinking spring, even though the ground is covered with the white cold stuff. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@dadsworkshopbykipplabrie7982]

Shes good folks! well done young lady very detailed video thanks for the pro tip.

[@DianeMorissette]

I have my grow setup in my basement where it’s about 60°, so I purchase less expensive heat mats that don’t have a thermostat and they automatically raise the temperature beneath the plants to about 10° above the ambient temperature in the room.

[@kimbullett3293]

Just stumbled across this video. It’s THE BEST I foot seed starting video I’ve seen…and I’ve watched lots. Very thorough. Thank you!! And bonus: I’m in your same zone, so I’ll be binging your videos this weekend 😊

[@deenajurak4344]

Another very informative and helpful video, you break down the process in a easy and understandable way, makes all of us beginners feel hopeful 😊🌿

[@juliecarter9540]

Just starting with seeding for the first time this year, your advice has been useful. I would have loved to see your flowers in bloom at the end though.

[@GardeningOnTaylorMountain]

Thanks for the step by step tutorial! You are a fantastic teacher! 💚👩🏼‍🌾

[@BeckyBerglund]

Thanks very much for the video. I grow Basil in a Solarium, and even though it makes it easy, it is important not to over water, and to harden off gradually. The climate zone is 5, and sometimes 4B. Your style of gardening is quite interesting and beautiful. Thanks so much for all the great tips.

[@dawnayers5267]

That was great information.I tried last year to start a tray of seeds because I was off work due to Covid . Now I know what I did wrong . Thank you for your channel, I look forward to your videos 😊💐

[@BeingDebbieDavis]

Hi Danielle. I've been watching you for about 7 months now and just wanted to say thank you for sharing so much useful information. I love watching your videos:)) I have started seeds indoors for the first time last week. I am in Oxfordshire, England. I have started sweet peas, snapdragon and cobaea. They have all germinated! I have them on a south facing windowsill at the moment (some with a heating pad) but after watching your video, I now understand the importance of additional lighting and will order something on amazon. Thank you!

[@sharonkutney7665]

Very helpful video, step by step instructions!! Hopefully will have more success this year. Many thanks!

[@jcaz]

Finally I understand after watching so many videos I couldn’t understand how to acclimate the plants outside! Your videos helped so much. Also I wasn’t sure if I should leave the water in the cells all day because I was afraid of rotting. Now I know to only leave the water for few minutes and pour it out.

[@sharoncullins5201]

Hi! I’ve just started listening to you and the way that you explain things…it makes me feel hopeful. I’m going to try things your way. I’m excited to try my hand at growing seeds…them plant them. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. God bless you, Sharon

[@buckbeaksgarden761]

I love the radiator idea!

[@sbogati]

Thank you! A very comprehensive presentation for someone like me who kills plants all the time!!

[@lindalagarce8996]

Thank you for the detailed information, this really helps in determine how to start my seeds this spring. Hugs and love from Texas!

[@dcgirl8765]

Thank you so much. This was very helpful. I’d love to see a potting up video and garden tour.

[@AW-bh6dy]

I know this was a year ago however, I just like the simplicity of your ideas and I am going to start my seedlings now. I am in Northern MD in zone 7 I will let you know how I did. I just love all your videos a lot.

[@kellyn3363]

Thank you for the informative videos. You do a wonderful job explaining in detail. I was unsure when to take the dome off the tray. This year I will remove after 50 percent of the plants germinate. Also, I am going to try growing them under shop lights with one cool bulb and one warm bulb after watching your video "Affordable Grow Lights That Work". Great job!! Thanks Danielle!

[@lindamonroe2145]

Your videos have been the most helpful to me by FAR! Thank you so much!

[@pronoun_dilemma]

Best video I've seen on this subject.

[@tinaknutsen]

I have used an old heating pad that was my grandmothers; it only had a low or high setting; I use the low setting. It works great. I like cosmos and sun flowers because I can direct sow outside and am looking for other varieties to directly so in my flower beds. By the way that is the cutest radiator… I have only seen the old metal ones that are hard to clean between the slots.

[@southbridgeforestHOA]

wow you grow all of your flowers on 1/2 acre. that is amazing!

[@paulsr.dicrispino642]

Thank you. I really enjoy your videos.

[@user-tm4my4jb6d]

This was a very good video. Thank you. I like that you are clear and detailed. I now feel confident to try to start my own plants

[@allysonrogers9701]

This is the best video for beginners

[@hieutran2364]

Good job explaining every thing💡.I like the method you used👍👏🏼👌🏻.

[@cherigreen4471]

Great job! Your house looks so pretty too!

[@LearningGrace]

THANK YOU! Can you do one on making your own soil mix for seeds? This was a GREAT show and very much appreciated!

[@wmnpwr98]

Mix coco coir, peet and perlite together :)

[@rbrtmasten1]

What a pleasant presentation. Thank you for your help. Looking forward to spring planting as l’m sure you are 🌺🌺

[@samanthaboneck5903]

This was exactly what I needed to see. Thank You!

[@ryankuehl7466]

Thank you so much! I teach for a special needs class and we are growing some flowers and vegetables from seed. This was very helpful for us getting started.

[@suekrebs3497]

Another very informative and fun video. I'm glad that you brought up the last frost date and not starting too early. The only seeds that I have started inside so far are lisianthus, eucalyptus and snapdragons which take a long time. I am hoping to harden them off in April.

[@josephputz2964]

Thank you for the detailed video on this subject. It was a great help! 😀

[@barryparks8055]

Very helpful. Many thanks. Greetings from the UK

[@skybluewithdaisies]

Thank you for sharing amazing tips!! Random, you remind me so much of Whitney from the Hills... lol you may be her sister😌 she was the sweetest character I only watched to follow her fashion career but anyway I enjoy your videos. Thank you and be well 🥰🌷🌻🧡

[@maryl8132]

Very helpful video. Omg, I’ve already made so many mistakes with my seed starts. Hopefully I will have some success with what I did.

[@maikes8997]

A perfect and professional video! Oh and I love your new logo

[@jeanking4172]

Thank you for this great video Danielle. I have tried many times to seed start and not had any luck, but you have inspired me to give it another go. Also, I would like to see how you prepare your soil outside for direct sowing. Thank you!

[@luislopez8767]

this video was very helpful for me thanks

[@katereed1018]

Thank you very much

[@shasinarayan2162]

Thank you for your informative video I am a beginner in seed raising n want to start selling them in near future, watching from Fiji Island 🏝

[@davesteadman1226]

Very well done and very informative!

[@tptrading_23]

Thanks so much for this video!

[@greenareena7981]

Very informative explanation regarding sowing of seeds and also for the process after germination 😊👍.

[@catherinealderson1890]

Best indoor seed video I've seen, and I've seen alooot hehe thank you so much !

[@lawrencetrujillo65]

Just plain talk is why I subscribed.

[@mbaig50]

Thanks for explaining so beautifully. Love your easy style. Your video has helped me a lot.

[@jenmurphy7777]

I got indoor potting mix. That's all they had left at the store. Hope that works 🤞

[@alwyzDTF]

Bootstrap Farmer makes some of the best trays and humidity domes out there btw. I stopped buying anything else since. The materials they use are extremely heavy duty and high quality. I've damaged 2 trays in 3 years and they sent me free replacements both times.

[@brianping3105]

Thanks for sharing, especially the part about hardening up, I never considered doing that before but it makes total sense

[@SweetMagnoliaHomeDecor]

This video was exactly what I was looking for!

[@lakeishamcfall4833]

Great. Thank you !

[@determinedtiara4484]

Thank you!

[@mollypitcher9380]

DARN! Thanks for slowing me down in seed starting (novice). I’m going to try pansies first because of the early bloom. (Zone 7 1/9/24)

[@channagirijagadish1201]

Excellent Video. Thanks for posting this video.

[@kpayne4633]

Very helpful thank you!

[@williamtyndale4087]

Well I'll half to say I've watched a bunch of video on this subject you did a super Job you didn't drive me crazy 😂 i say great teacher 🤠

[@madambutterfly5343]

Thank you 🙏

[@leslienichols5268]

Really lovely!

[@jan10-l]

Thank you for your helpful video! I can't wait to try sowing seeds correctly this next time around. I appreciate all your inspirational videos! Hi from Phoenix :)

[@steveflatbush]

Great video! All set with my Amaranth seeds. Just don't know how much water to pour. Using different grow trays than ones shown.

[@millionairementality_]

Excellent information. Thank you!

[@romilalal5197]

Thank you very much for explaining everything.

[@michellestevens83]

Thankyou.....great...your pleasant and easy to listen too....🌻🌻🌻....Michelle..from Horse Creek...Queensland...Australia...💚💛

[@kyliejones9047]

This was just what I needed! Thank you for sharing. ❤

[@josephspinelli1069]

THE BEST!!!!! EXCELLENT VIdeo Thank you SO MUCH.

[@elizabethlehman7375]

So helpful! This is a great "how to"!

[@jaybatemen4497]

Excellent video. Covered All.

[@AO-sz5ci]

Awesome video 🤩 I’m so ready!!

[@heathermacdonald6404]

Really enjoying your videos. Thanks, Danielle! Liked and subscribed. :)

[@kimridenhour7839]

Excellent video. Thank you so much!!