Interest in seed starting and hydroponics has grown in recent years, and for good reason. Starting seeds indoors gives you a jump on the growing season because you can plant long before the ground outside thaws. It also gives you complete control over water, light and soil—all crucial factors in the early growth stage of plants. Other benefits of seed starting include cost, variety, and health and wellness.
When selecting seeds for germination, be sure to choose seeds that are right for your climate and soil. You’ll find this information on the seed packaging, along with detailed planting and care instructions. These include planting depth, spacing, watering requirements, when to sow, and number of days to germination. You should also choose plants that match your experience level, as some require more care and attention than others. Tomatoes, basil, marigolds, zinnias, and nasturtium are all good beginner choices.
Seedling trays come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations. Some are open concept while others include individual cells for each seedling. The latter can be helpful when replanting to the garden, and for keeping different types of plants separate from each other. Some seed trays also include a humidity dome to give your seedlings a moist and humid environment in which to thrive.
Your seedlings will need lots of light once they emerge from the surface of the soil. This will help prevent them from getting leggy and spindly. There are many different types of grow lights for seedlings available, including LED, HPS (high pressure sodium), fluorescent and other high output lights. In general, the more lumens the better. The best grow lights will include full-spectrum light bulbs, which produce a balance of cool and warm light that replicates the natural solar spectrum. Look for models that include a stand and reflector to properly focus the light on your plants.