Garden From Seed

After weeks of preparation—clearing, fencing, and rototilling my 6,300-square-foot garden—the moment had finally arrived: it was time to plant. The garden had been at the top of my list since we purchased the property, and due to the size of the garden, I needed to grow most of my plants from seed to keep the cost down. I'd been planning ahead, starting my seeds weeks in advance.  I felt that if we didn't get the garden prepared in time, I could use my garden at our house property and give away extra seedlings.

A Journey That Took Years to Begin

It took me many years to get the courage to start all my plants from seeds. In the beginning, I relied on local nurseries for most of my plants. They were affordable, and they supported small businesses in my community. But over time, and as my garden size grew, I felt the urge to try growing from seed myself.

I started with the easier plants—cucumbers, squash, and beans—and left the trickier ones like tomatoes and peppers to the professionals. These plants need warmth and light, and at the time, I didn’t have the space or equipment to give them the conditions they needed. Windows aren't bright enough, and setting up grow lights seemed like too much effort.

Building Confidence with a Greenhouse

Then came 2020. I finally decided to invest in a small greenhouse (6x8 feet) to extend my growing season. It was on sale, and we had it up and running in just a day. That first year was a challenge, but I learned a lot. Some things worked well, and others didn’t (like its original location)—but that’s how you learn, right?

I chose not to heat the greenhouse; I didn't want the added expense or something else to manage. That meant I could only get about one or two months of extra growing time, depending on the weather. Still, it made a huge difference. Over the next three years, I grew hundreds of seeds—except for those darn tomatoes and peppers. They still weren’t thriving.

 So in 2023, 16 years after my first garden,  I finally took the plunge and set up two grow lights in my office specifically for them. When I say I didn't have a ton of room to start seeds, I mean it. I hung the lights under the built-in desk and used a tote full of yarn to raise the seeds close to the lights. Again, showing it's all about if it works, not if it looks good!

Growing More Than I Ever Expected

This year, I took my plant-growing game to the next level. I used those two grow lights to nurture:

• 90 tomato plants

• 90 pepper plants (a mix of sweet and hot)

• Close to 100 dahlias

• Marigolds and leftover flower seeds I’d forgotten about

As the final frost date approached, I started trays upon trays of cucumbers, squash, beans, zinnias, sunflowers, and more in my greenhouse. There’s something so rewarding about seeing all those tiny seeds turn into thriving plants ready to go into the garden.

The Takeaway: It’s Worth It

If you’ve ever thought about growing your own plants from seed, I want to tell you: go for it. Whether you’re using a walk-in greenhouse, a shelf with a cover, or simple shop lights in your house, it’s much easier than it seems.

The satisfaction of growing your own plants from seed is unmatched. Your options for varieties seem limitless. Plus, the cost savings compared to buying plants are incredible. In the end, the time and effort are 100% worth it. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish, even if you’re just starting out.