How to Save Money with Indoor Seed Starting (2024)

I thought it would be fun to share some of my frugal articles from my other blog here so that all my wholesale club shoppers can save even more.

Starting seeds indoors is a great way to save on plant costs, and for those of us who live in a state where cold weather drags on, it gives us some excitement for the upcoming season.

*This article first appeared on FFG.

Two weeks ago, the weather reached near the 50s, and in Upstate New York, that is so refreshing after a long winter. Every year, the girls and I go to our local library, gather up any appealing gardening books, and start planning my vegetable garden.

This year I want to add some perennials since we have only lived here a couple of years. You know the slow progress of landscaping a yard, you want to add so many plants right away, but with a short growing season and a budget, I can only add so many each year.

Starting seeds is a fantastic process. I love sharing the experience of planting a seed and watching it grow to harvest. The best part is sharing the experience with your children.

Now that my kids are five and seven, we had a smooth time starting our seeds. Starting seeds indoors is a great frugal way to grow a variety of vegetables or even flowers.

Starting seeds indoors allows me to grow enough to sell on the roadfeed my family and animals. Since we are getting a second mini pig in a couple of weeks, I knew I had to plant extra veggies this season.

Related:

• How to Make the Perfect Compost Pile in 3 Easy Steps
• 5 Frugal Containers to Start Your Seeds In

WHERE TO BUY SEEDS

Every year I take advantage of Home Depot's Buy One Get One Free sale. It usually starts at the end of March or Early April. I have always had success with Burpees Organic Seeds. I buy my marigold seeds at Dollar Tree, usually 25¢ a pack.

I've also started buying all my flower seeds at Dollar Tree and now grab as many veggies when they hit the shelves. Dollar Tree typically starts putting their seeds out at the beginning of February in upstate NY.

I love planting marigolds around my tomato plants in the garden.

This year I got a head start because the winter feels never-ending, and BJ's has two different Organic Seeds of Change seeds on sale. Each packet I got for $1.59, which is a great price. Most of these at other retailers are $3 or $4 a pack.

I have had success with these seeds, and there is a guarantee they will grow statement on these. Can't go wrong there! Organic Seeds of Change seeds could be your best bet if it's your first time starting seeds indoors.

After starting seeds indoors for so many years now and through trial and error, I see a better result with Burpee Organic Seeds and Organic Seeds of Change. The Dollar Tree seeds have been working just as well. I was nervous when I started growing seeds and went with Organic. Whatever fits your budget, I used the Dollar Tree Seeds in 2020 and 2021 and had success.

For us frugal folks, even spending $30 or $40 on seeds, and they don't take off, makes us disappointed. This is why I want to go with what I know has grown in my garden before well.

You will easily spend $3-$5 a plant at your local nursery or home improvement store. But, when you look at that cost to how many seeds you get in a pack for the same price, seeds will save you money on your garden.

WHAT YOU NEED

You do not need much to start seeds. You can spend as much or as little as you want. You don't need anything fancy.

What we use:

• A big mixing bowl
• Jiffy Seed Starting Soil
• Containers for seeds
• Seeds
• Measuring Cups
• Warm Water

This is the first year I started my seeds inside, literally. The kids and I always did it outside in the past, but our winter is super cold and long this year. So we set down the newspaper and filled up our seed cups.

The soil is so important when it comes to starting seeds. You want light soil rather than a rich potting mix. If you want to save money, you can try making your seed starting soil mix here.

The only brand of plastic wrap I use is Stretch tite. Of course, I get it for a sweet deal at BJ's. If you get frustrated with plastic wrap, switch to this brand, and you'll never look back.

HOW TO PLACE YOUR SEEDS IN THE SOIL

Steps:

First, add the seed starting soil to the mixing bowl.

Then add hot water. We did two cups for a 10 cup bowl.

Let the kiddos use their hands and mix it up. This way, you can tell how wet the soil is.

You don't want it too wet, just enough it starts to stick together.

Fill whatever seed cups you are using to the top with soil. I like to press down the ground and get any air out. The kid's little adorable fingers are perfect for pressing a hole in the center.

I've always dropped 3 or 4 seeds into each hole. Be sure your spot is not too deep. If your seeds are too deep, they may not get enough energy to sprout. Always check the back of your seed packet, as they will tell you specifics.

When in doubt, don't plant your seed deeper than its diameter. This is where you will need to help the younger kiddos.

Gently roll the dirt back over the top or sprinkle some dirt on top of the hole.

Label the sides of your seed cup

Use plastic wrap and place it in a warm sunny spot.

Once the seeds start to sprout, you can remove the plastic.

Then you will need to water on an as-needed basis.

I did a few Tiktok Videos on how I start my seeds below.

WHERE TO KEEP YOUR SEEDS

I have kept my seeds on top of the fridge in the past. It worked to get the seeds started, and the kitchen had enough light. However, once I removed the plastic, I placed it under a skylight window in our bedroom.

With our farmhouse now, I start my seeds and leave them onthe top of the hot tub. There is a ton of light, and the hot tub keeps them toasty. Once they sprout, I place them in our atrium window in the kitchen.

You may not have any of these same conditions, but I encourage you to scope out a place that would work well for your seeds.

Keep in mind they need three things, sun, food, water. Most seeds required 75-degree F to germinate. I've seen people start their seeds in a milk jug container and cover and put them outside as long as they get direct sunlight.

At this time of year, having direct sunlight is essential.

If this is not an option in your home, you can still save money with seeds and use a heating pad just for seeds.

I prefer to keep my seeds at 65-70 degrees.

It's important to rotate your tray of seeds. Especially if yours are near a window, south-facing is preferred, and you can always buy an artificial grow light.

Just watch the height of your seedlings and the light. Always have the light as close as you can without touching the seeds.

You can check out my frugal container ideas for starting seeds here.

Here are more Frugal Tips To Start Seeds Indoors

1. Use leftover plastic garden containersyou previously bought flowers in. Or save yours from this upcoming season to start seeds in.
2. Egg cartons are a great way to start seeds indoors.
3. Label your containers. Don’t think you will remember like I have done so many times in the past and then can’t!
4. Use Yoplait Kids Plastic Cups/ or any other item in your kitchen to start your seeds indoors.
5. Use Plastic wrapover each of your homemade containers until your seed sprouts to keep in the warmth.
6. Use Seed Starting Soil Mix– it’s lighter. The other stuff may work or it may not. Being frugal is not having to spend more money because we tried to save money and go the cheap route😉
7. Be careful with watering. You won’t need to water at all while you have the plastic wrap on. You will want to mist the plants because as they sprout they are not strong. After my years of seeds and knowing I can easily over water I put all my pots into a tray and then pour water into the bottom of the tray. So the plants take in the water from the bottom.
8. I use warm waterto mix in with my seed starting soil.
9. Seeds sprout bestat temperatures of 65 to 75°F (18 to24°C).
10. You must keep only one plant in each pot. When I started I thought it was a waste to just kill off one plant when I had two perfectly growing. It is a must now. Just clip the others down. Keep the one that is the straightest and looks the best.
11. Enjoy!It is amazing to watch the whole process and enjoy the harvest!

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