Gather Your Supplies
Starting seeds requires just a few simple supplies: seed starter mix from your local garden centre, containers, and water.
We've grown seeds in various containers, from toilet rolls to fruit containers, old plastic cups, peat pellets, and plug trays. Any container works as long as you closely monitor your seedlings. However, be mindful that toilet rolls can get moldy if overwatered or if there's insufficient airflow.
If your winters are long and dark, consider purchasing grow lights, as even a south-facing window might not provide enough sunlight during certain winters. You can read more about grow lights here:
Additionally, ensure proper airflow by using a fan. This is particularly important to prevent mold from developing on the surface of your soil. Overwatering can happen to the best of us, but mold issues can be easily avoided with adequate airflow. This will also help prepare your plants for future challenges when the wind tests their strength.
Some plants need specific soil temperatures to germinate, so consider using a seed starting heat mat instead of only relying on sunlight or grow lights.
Lastly, ensure you have pots of various sizes on hand, as you will need to transplant your seedlings eventually into more nutritious soil. Most seedlings are ready for transplanting once they have developed their first "true leaves"—more on that later.