Frost to Frost · stage 1 of 9

Seed start

indoors, under lights · roughly Feb 26 – Mar 26 at zone 5b. Adjust for your zone →

Seeds are germinating under a cheap shop light on a 18/6 schedule, in solo cups with drainage holes drilled in the bottom. Keep the medium moist, not wet, and don't transplant until the first real set of leaves is out.

Common mistakes at this stage

Overwatering solo cups because the surface looks dry — check by weight, not by eye.
Starting too early. Six weeks under lights before your last frost is plenty; ten weeks gets you a rootbound, stressed plant.

This year

Started four seeds Mar 3, three germinated by day five. Lost one to damping-off — too much surface moisture, not enough airflow.

Guides for this stage

Seed startChoosing a seed-start setup that doesn't fight you5 min read Seed startWhen to start seeds in a cold-climate zone4 min read

Filmed at this stage

Grow Room Glow Up on a Budget 🌱 #gardening #plants #garden #diy #grow

Mar 18 · 0:23

Winter Garden Prep | Fighting Seasonal Depression by Starting Our Seeds Indoors 🌱 #plants #garden

Mar 13 · 0:16

Starting Our Seeds 🌱 Paper Towel Germination Method (Day 1) #garden #plants #growth #gardening

Feb 20 · 0:13

Quick Seed Inventory 🌱 #plants #garden #growagarden #gardening

Feb 12 · 0:21