Vegetable Seeds Gardening: Things to Consider in an Apartment

Even in an apartment, it is possible to grow plants from seeds. Gardening is especially fun and gratifying when you plant the seed, grow it and harvest it all by yourself. It can be a little messy at times, but it’s much cleaner to do gardening in pots than planting in a whole field. Here are some things to consider as you start planting vegetables.

Seedlings vs. Seeds

Some people wonder if it’s worth it to start from a seed. It takes a little longer and it’s a little harder because you have to be very careful while it’s growing, or you might accidentally kill it. With seedlings it’s easier to handle and the work of planting has already been done for you. However, it will cost more to buy seedlings than just growing them from seeds. It also brings more satisfaction when you harvest what you have planted and taken care of all by yourself. You will have to decide for yourself what you would rather do.

Make Formula for Growing Vegetables

If you are vegetable seed gardening, you should have your soil ready to go when you’re ready to plant your seeds. There is a homemade formula that you should mix in your soil. It will give a nutrient boost to your vegetable seedlings. Mix equal amounts of: vermiculite, perlite and ground up sphagnum moss (for compost).

Pour it into a bucket. Add a little bit of warm water to it. Squeeze it. Only a few drops of water should come out if it. When it’s ready, stir this formula into the pot of soil and put your seeds in. You need to have a special pot for your seedlings. It should be about 2” or 3” high. As an alternative, you can reuse an empty milk carton if punch holes in the bottom of it for drainage.

Temperature

Seeds usually germinate best in temperatures that are warmer than the average apartment, but many vegetable seedlings do fine at regular room temperature. Many do best in conditions that are warm enough to keep around 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night. For example, broccoli seedlings sprout at temperatures from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Check for a list of vegetables and the desired sprouting temperatures at your local garden center.

Seed Growth Rate

The time it takes for a plant to mature from a seed depends upon what the plant is. Sometimes it’s fast, sometimes it’s slow. For example, a red radish only takes 20 days to mature and be ready to harvest; bell peppers take only 15 to 21 days to germinate indoors. Beginners should start out with small, fast and easy plants to grow. It will make your plants easier to handle.

Starting out with seed gardening is perfectly fine. It shouldn’t be too overwhelming, and it will save you a bit of money on your grocery bills. Starting out small is great for beginners, and once you get the hang of things you can grow bigger plants and have a great harvest to enjoy.