Seed Starting Indoors - My FULL Setup + Budget Friendly Tips

Being an urban and suburban gardener has its challenges and one. of them is that you usually don't have the space for a greenhouse to start seeds. Today I'm walking you through my full setup for starting seeds indoors. I'll also walk you through some of my budget friendly tips and tricks. If you're a beginner gardener whose looking for more into on starting seeds check out the videos below and all the products mentioned in this video are linked (no affiliate links because I'm too lazy, let's be honest).
What I'm Growing in 2023 - • Seed Haul and What I'm...
Seed Packets Decoded - • Seed Packets DECODED |...
Seed Starting Mix vs. Potting Soil - • Seed Starting Mix vs. ...
Racks - a.co/d/iNRtmvv
Lights - a.co/d/aKYPNAL
Bottom Trays - a.co/d/04MECgZ
Epic Seed Cell Trays - shop.epicgardening.com/produc...
5 inch Nursery Pots - a.co/d/hhiLqTa
Heat Mat - a.co/d/gZCNIR2

[@cookingandvlogs6608]

Hello my friend Thank you for sharing..

[@jamielyn848]

I just put together my seed starting setup today. So excited to get started growing!

[@SeedToPlate]

sooo exciting!! good luck!

[@SoilandMargaritas]

I agree so much with what you are saying, I found myself not using the heat mat either, my room was extra crispy so no need for extra heat, plus they are so darn expensive.

[@SeedToPlate]

Yes!!! Def needed it at one point in time but not anymore

[@CindyOrangeNeely]

I just found this video and subscribed! I have been wondering about the seed cell trays that Epic Gardening and Huw Richards show, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to spend a lot of money on those. But after watching you and seeing your setup, I'm definitely leaning toward buying some. I have a small greenhouse I built out of old windows almost 2 years ago and even though I have a heater and fan in there, it still gets too cold in our zone 7 for the seedlings at night, so I start my seeds under this tiny little 2 foot table top grow light I bought about 20 years ago. Thank you so much for this video!!

[@SeedToPlate]

You are so welcome!!! yes I'm a big fan of the trays so far!!

[@sharonglassner1421]

Great video, Brooke! One thing that I'd suggest is to explain what the term, "leggy" means for the people just starting out. That happened to my tomatoes the first year because I didn't use grow lights...so disappointing. You are always such a wealth of knowledge and I can't wait to see this year's garden:)

[@SeedToPlate]

Thanks Sharon!!! I think next I’m going to do a “troubleshooting” video for seedlings!

[@rachelgalus]

Today was my first day trying cold stratification (zone 5). I’m terrified lol. We’ll see in a month 🤞 hope to see your blank slate soon!

[@SeedToPlate]

bahhh good luck!!

[@kellyaddy7316]

When you are watering from the bottom I am trying to figure out how much water to keep in the trays under the seed starting? I know it will wick up into the soil but just not sure how much water.

[@grotlek]

Heya :). At 10:10 I'm probably not going to convince you to put your socket out of the way of water spills or in a waterproof box, but we all know electricity and water don't mix well together - may I at least suggest getting plastic socket covers (little plastic "plugs" designed to stop small children poking their tiny fingers into the socket holes) - they cost next to nothing and might prevent an errant splash of water from causing a fire. (But not having sockets where they can be hit by water would be a much better solution). Figured I'd start with that but I enjoyed the video. I knew to use a fan but I thought it was just to prevent fungal/mold growth, didn't realise cells needed it too for strength but that does make sense!

[@SeedToPlate]

That’s actually genius and crazy easy! I’m down!

[@barnett095]

When I start my seeds, I will go ahead and turn on my lights and put them about 3 inches from the seeds. With my 4 florescent light bulbs, it will raise the soil surface temperature about 15 to 20 degrees. With the LED lights, it only raises the temperatures about 6 or 7 degrees. Definitely not energy efficient, but saves me from having to buy a heat mat. And it you time your seeding correctly, you should not need to up pot the seedlings. At least that is what I hear. I have not timed it correctly yet. The smaller plants will usually catch up and even pass the bigger plants. i use tow straps to adjust the height of the lights. But I have used books and bricks in the past. Good job on the video.

[@SeedToPlate]

TOW STRAPS ARE GENIUS!!!! Thanks Gary :)

[@carolbatulayan9800]

I use lukewarm water to water my seedlings. On my second year starting my own seedlings. Gardening at Lake Jackson, TX.

[@SeedToPlate]

love this tip!!!

[@Robelessd]

I’m in SATX and I’m not starting my tomatoes for another week or so to avoid them getting too big too soon but I gotta ask, what’s your plan with these babies once they get too big for the starter trays? Even with my garden all ready to go I’m still struggling with the amount of seedlings I have atm. I don’t know how you’re managing it haha

[@SeedToPlate]

haha I'l be losing my mind here shortly I'm sure. I pot them up into 5 inch nursery pots so they're pretty mature by the time they get into the ground. I've always had success with this method but I'd be remiss to say that I'd be curious to test things out with smaller seedlings that I didn't have to tend quite as much.

[@mikeferretti7422]

Cant you add a chain or string to the lights so you can lower and raise the light bulbs?

[@SeedToPlate]

Yes totally! I’m gonna have play with that for next season!

[@anniewildmush1284]

worst job i agree to hard them off lolll i start like 1000 freakin plants ahaha montreal canada here :-)

[@SeedToPlate]

It’s THE WORST

[@workinprogress3609]

Do you start your seeds in potting soil?

[@SeedToPlate]

some of them! and then I'll start some in seed starting mix. Look a couple videos back and I did a whole deep dive on it!