BUDGET Indoor Seed Starting Setup THAT WORKS!
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- Опубліковано 25 чер 2024
- Setting up a proper space for starting seeds indoors is really important to having success while trying to start seeds for your vegetable garden. One of the most fun parts of gardening is starting your own seeds, but its very disappointing when they don't sprout or grow well.
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Affiliate Links: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
48x18x82 Wire Shelving Unit:
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4FT 120W LED Shop Light (2 pack)*
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*Not exact lights shown in video. Lights in video are Hyper Tough 5000 Lumen LED Shop Lights
Digital Thermometer:
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Plastic Solo Cups, 18oz:
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Disposable Roasting Pans:
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Plastic Wrap:
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Smart Plug:
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In this video I share my own budget seed starting setup that I use to start seeds indoors. This setup is very inexpensive but still works very well.
Starting vegetable seeds indoors give you the opportunity to start planting earlier in the season before the weather has warmed up. This allows you to transplant already started plants into the garden as soon as the weather is warm enough.
My Vegetable Seed Starting Mix:
4 Parts Coco-Coir or Peat Moss
2 Parts Organic Compost
1 Part Course Sand
1 Part Perlite
- Make sure all ingredients are damp before mixing, mix thoroughly and plant seeds while soil mix is still damp.
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In this video
0:00 Setting up for Indoor Seed Starting
0:36 3 Important Considerations while Starting Seeds
1:28 Where to keep Seeds while waiting for Germination
2:19 Budget LED Lights for Seed Starting
4:06 Inexpensive Seeds Starting Containers and Trays
5:08 How to Set Up your Seed Starting Area
8:24 Less Expensive Setup for Starting Seeds Indoors
9:17 Thanks for Watching
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I buy the cake foil pans at dollar tree for $1.25. They come with the foil pan and a domed clear lid for seed germinating. I later use the clear plastic lid under the foil pan to stabilize the pans.
That's a great way to do it and save some money! 😊🌱
Me too.
Wonderful idea, so simple but im sure successful.
Menards by me sells seedling flats (the plastic trays) for $1.15 (after 11% rebate). At the end of the gardening season they can be even lower. I've seen them for 5 cents on clearance there!
I love how inexpensive you have made this setup, great for beginners! And someone who doesn't want to spend a fortune to start their seeds.
It is a futsy step, but I do recommending potting up (transplanting into a larger indoor pot) tomatoes and peppers and any other plant whose stem is able to put off roots. You're missing out on a ton of root growth by skipping this step.
If you don't want to pot up tomatoes, at least fill only half of the cup with soil when you plant the seed, then fill the cup all the way to the top when the true leaves are above that line. I promise you'll notice a difference!
Finally. . . an informative video that tells all I need for setup!!!!
Glad the video was helpful, thanks for watching 😊🌱
I built that kind of setup in the early 80's. My rack was built out of 1x3 strapping and 4 ft fluorescent shop lights. I used a lamp timer to turn the lights on and off and used paperpots to start the seeds. Although the flourescent blights put off more heat that heat can help keep the soill warm to start the seeds.
Fortry years on I've converted the old shoplights with LED replacement tubes so they are now more efficient. I also start some of my more tender seedlings in an old aquarium with a DIY heat mat to keep the seedlings warm to hasted seed sprouting, this is in a spare room so it rarely gets to 60 degrees
Sounds like you've got a nice setup going, and some experience to go along with it. Thanks for leaving the comment, I love reading about viewers experiences in gardening. 😊🌱
Thank you! Such a nice set up & explanation!
This is excellent.. Awesome job. Great video.
Thank you I love the versatility of your method!!
Indoor seed 👍😊
Thank for sharing.
Overall an excellent method.
White LEDs have full spectrum, including green.
Growlights emphacize blue and red.
They are based on old science.
78 may be too warm.
Some seeds I get say 68.
I keep coming back to this video, the info on LED lights is quite helpful. Thanks!
You have the best indoor seed starting setup on UA-cam...
Excellent information for newbies
This video was exactly what i needed! Thank you
I love this video this looks like something can do.
Wow - this is excellent! I'm going to build this.
2 words... AWESOME INFO!!!
Thank you for the info! I needed to see this today! 😂❤🌱
Very informative video. A lot of useful tips to take away. We will be putting together grow lights shelves soon and will be sure to use some of your tips! Thank you
Great stuff as always. And just in time for me to get something like this set up before the season starts!
Thanks DadGuy!
EXCELLENT advise! Thank you so much!
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Thank you so much! I have used the cups but want using the trays. Great way to water from the bottom in a neat and efficient way. Also thanks for the encouragement. I think it’s time to buy one of those metal shelves!
Good tips. I use a very similar process. Cups and pans are the way to go and plastic wrap is a true game changer. I wouldn’t want to germinate without it!
Thank you
You made a very easy to follow video. The best explanation with direct directions and to the point. Thank you.
Thank you for keeping things SIMPLE and Beautiful! You are sooo creative and a true artist. I believe in doing things different in order to safe money. Great job!!!!
Great information and budget friendly. Thanks 😊
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Loved the datailed explanation of all the features of lights and shelves. Thank you!
You are so welcome!
Really glad I found your channel.
I'm glad you did as well 😊
Hope you find my videos helpful and enjoyable.
Thanks for watching 😊 🌱
Great video, thanks!
Excellent Presentation! Really enjoyed it. Thanks,
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Very good video, complete and to the point. I really liked how you mentioned various options and the reasoning behind the options.
Thank you, glad the video was helpful. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Planning to do starters for my garden. I pretty much am going to emulate your setup. Thanks from North Dakota!
Have fun! Thanks for watching 😊🌱
That's me. budeget setup starting an agave, aloe vera, and succulents nursery. thks for the tips. went down to dollar tree and stocked up.
Love it, thanks!
Put mine together today so proud of it and it looks so good now I'm ready to do my seeds.
That is wonderful! I think that now more than ever people really need to start growing their own food. It is crucial. Good luck to you with your new set up. Happy Gardening!! 😊
Well done!
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
That’s the light system I have. It’s awesome!😊
Love this video!!
Thank you Pamela, glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Very good and easy, and quick thank you
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Awesome video
Great video! I’m used to using transplants from the store and the plastics cups are the perfect size.
The cups really do work well, plus they can last for several seasons
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Great Video!! 😍❤️🔥
Thank you. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Great video, thank you
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Best video I've found so far am taking your advice,great advice.
I have a similar set up❤. Great video!
Thank you so much, Such an informative video
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching 😊 🌱
This is a great set up. I was very hesitant because I'm new to this and don't want to spend so much money if I'm not going to be good at gardening. I feel much better doing it this way! Thank you for your video.
Most of my garden failed every year, but I keep trying. I hope your garden does better than mine.
Great video!
i really appreciate that you were showing us how to do a minimal cost set up with the cups and trays instead of a double cup method.
I saved the clear plastic meat trays to set my cups on so i can have a small three shelf tower on wheels from ikea to put my cups in.
i pad 10 for the cart used, grow lights for 30 with 8 wands used and meat trays for free. So just seed starting soil and a good potting mix which i poured boiling water over in a strainer and or paint strainer and eliminated gnats,,,,,,,,just in case. Afew bucks for cups at dollar tree, seeds cheap and hopefully im in business. Oh ya im gonna sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon on top to discourage fungus grow, no name brand at walmart.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you
Thanks for the video! Great ino! I've been repurposing my Starbucks iced latte cups with the lids. Hopefully I'll get several years usage out of those cups and then they'll go for recycling.
That's a great way to reuse those cups 👍
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Thank you! I just did my research and this video saved me money. Trying shop lights for my starts this year, cups so I don't have to transplant, as well as using a 2 foot shelf and lights for my experiment.
Interested to know how it worked for you? I’m looking to purchase grow lights.
Such good info.
Thanks for watching 😊 🌱
I had this idea I was sure someone else did too it just makes sense Thank you 😊new sub
Great video 👍🏽
New sub.
Thanks for sharing 👍🏽
Just to improve it !
1. Use individual sandwich bags for plastic cover with a rubber band.
2. Use a double cup the 2nd with no holes to keep water at the plant .
3. Use a heat mat under your foil pan to make sure your plants will germinate !
Using sandwich bags to cover the cups is a good idea. I might try that out 😊
Do you have any issues with fire hazards with foil pan sitting on top of heat mat? I’m planning to use them that way for cacti seedlings, thanks.
Super liked this video. Appreciate that you’re not monetizing lights and heat sources that could break down or have fire hazards. I was about to abandon having an indoor garden because I didn’t think I’d have enough heat. Thought the LEDs had to be a foot away.
Thanks for watching 😊 🌱
Remember, with any lights or heating equipment, it's important to follow the manufactures safety instructions. And be sure to have adequate ventilation around the equipment to prevent overheating.
Any recommendations on reliable oscillating fans? Maybe I should move the shelves a little away from the window for a more even flow.
Very well done. Thanks for the info. The lights are sold at Walmart. Low cost. I am currently using a fold up table and I need more room to grow flowers alongbw my veggies. I am looking for a 4’ rack like yours. The ones. Have seen are expensive.
Genius!
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
I get all my gowing supplies at Goodwill... super cheap.
Appreciate you
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Oh I spoke too soon. Amazing!!!!
You're awesome on Gold Rush!
Never seen it, but thanks! 😄
🤣
Hi, I did a similar setup but created an enclosure using bubble wrap foil insulation to reflect light back into the enclosure and also help to keep it warm.
Sounds great! Enclosing it would definitely help. I've seen people use foil, but the bubble wrap is a great idea for insulation.
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
You could probably get cheap sun shades, the kind for windshields.
Hi! Thank you for this video, super useful. I'm trying this method this year as my greenhouse blew down in a wild wind storm :( But this looks totally approachable, I appreciate you sharing. I'm wondering if you start everything this way, like onions, leeks, i.e. things that I might seed a lot of and don't need a whole huge cup to start in? I was doing this today and I just put a bunch of onions in one cup, thinking I can separate and plant later, since onions, at least, are not so sensitive to that. Also, do you use this method through the season for successions and/or starting fall crops? Thank you so much!
thank you for your videos! how long do you leave the lights on each day?
Usually about 14 hours
Awesome video! I've basically replicated your setup for my first year growing seeds indoors. I read alot about turning the lights off at night so that the plants can "rest" or only having them on 14-16 hours a day (once my seeds have sprouted). Do you do this or do you just leave them on 24....just found the comment with the answer. Thank you again for an awesome video!
Thanks for the great information! I'm wondering when you start watering from the bottom....do the seedlings have to be a certain size?
Once they have sprouted and you've removed the plastic wrap, wait until the top 1/4in of soil is dry. Repeat as necessary.
Also, only add water if the trays are dry as well.
Hope this helps. Thanks for watching 😊 🌱
Do you use seed starting soil or potting soil? Love your video
I mix my own seed starting mix, it has worked good for me over the years.
My Vegetable Seed Starting Mix:
4 Parts Coco-Coir or Peat Moss
2 Parts Organic Compost
1 Part Course Sand
1 Part Perlite
- Make sure all ingredients are damp before mixing, mix thoroughly and plant seeds while soil mix is still damp.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊 🌱
Thank you for using plastic wrap! I just realized (and learned today) that plastic lids are expensive. So….. I was thinking that plastic wrap might work bc they can only be covered during germination anyway.. thank you 🎉
I've had really great success using plastic wrap. I'm sure you will as well. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
I love the setup you've created and how easily it can be altered for seed stages. This is my second year working on my garden, and I really need some more lighting. You mentioned the lights giving off some warmth, would this affect cooler weathered plants when trying to get them established?
I haven't had any issues with the lights being to warm, but you could keep them a little higher and that would reduce the heat on the soil and plants
Just learned wal mart has led shop lights by hyper tough for under 20 so im going to look . Home depot had grow lights for over 100 smaller ones for 30 some to much.
@@kathyadams1766 I know I'm late but if you have a Harbor Freight near you, that is a good spot to look!
Not from my experience no
Thank you for sharing! I don't know if you checked the prices lately on your $20 shop lights, as you said you bought yours 3 or 4 years ago. But, here in the Midwest, they are $30 to $40 at big box stores now. They may even be more than that in places like California and New York. Prices have just skyrocketed in the last couple of years! Your setup is beautiful.
I just bought mine through Sam's Club, they have a set of 4 for $79 plus tax, the sale ends today, 2/8/23, wish I had seen this yesterday. With tax that makes them @$23.50 each. The best price I could find. Hope this will help! Good luck!
I haven't really priced them out lately, but I imagine you're right. Prices have gone up nearly everything. I'll probably need to make an updated video pretty soon.
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
I'm very late but Harbor Freight has them for closer to $20. A sale recently allowed me to get 4 for $70!
love the idea, I got some foil pans from Dollar Tree to start indoors this year. Couple questions
1. I plan on using the lids instead of plastic wrap, would light pink (still see through) lids affect at all?
2. Do you ever worry about over watering and having water sit at the bottom of the foil pans?
1. The pink lids would reflect some of the spectrum of light (mostly reds), but since you really just want them to trap in heat and moisture they probably would be fine, just be sure to remove as soon as the seeds sprout.
2. I haven't had any issues with over watering. At the beginning, just make sure all cups are well watered and don't add additional water until the seeds have sprouted and the soil begins to dry. Then, just don't fill the trays more than 1/2-1in at a time. The water will be used by the plants and also evaporate quickly under the lights. Only water when the soil begins to dry out.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊🌱
@@InTheGarden Thank you! Really appreciate the video and the response!
Great video! Can you wash and reuse the cups and pans every year?
Yes! I'd say I replace mine every 3 seasons as the cups tend to crack and the pans will inevitably get a leak eventually. But they definitely last for more than 1 season
@@InTheGarden Thank you!
Another thing i will add is grow tents are fairly inexpensive, so you can reflect and keep all that light in the tent and directed more closely to your plants. You can weigh the cost of the grow tent with the savings on electricity from heat
Do have a particular one you recommend?
Broda najlepsza
Thank you 🧔♂️
Is that amount of wattage a little high?
I use old salad containers!!
Great way to reuse something and save a little money. I love it!
Thank you for this video! I purchased roasting pans just like the ones you’re using and then I started reading people commenting aluminum are not recommended. 😔 Is there any validity to this? I’ve seen the mention of a) metal toxicity leaching into tray water and affecting root structure b) aluminum reacting with fertilizer. Have you seen or heard anything about this?
Hi Sarah, I've never had a concern using the aluminum trays. But honestly I can't say that I've really researched it. As far as being "safe", I assume if they are safe for cooking, they are safe for plants, but you do bring up a good point about the aluminum affecting the plants.
If aluminum leaches into the soil it could affect soil ph which would then affect nutrient uptake in the plants and cause issues. However, I don't think when used to hold containers there is a high likelihood of this occuring since the soil isn't in direct contact with the aluminum and even when watering, the water is typically absorbed by the soil within a few hours. There isn't prolonged exposure to the aluminum.
Personally I've never noticed any growth issues while using them, but it is something to think about and something I'll have to research more.
If you are concerned, you could use plastic trays instead and set everything up the same way.
I've never used these, but here is an example of some plastic trays: amzn.to/3KhojUt
Hope this helps. 🙂
*Contains affiliate links
Does the hanging hardware come with the lights if not what kind of hooks did you use to hang
Most lights of this type will include hanging chains. But I would recommend checking the packaging for whichever ones you are purchasing to be sure what's included.
Thanks for watching 😊 🌱
I'm using a metal shelf unit just like one shown in this short video. The shelves are 4' feet wide by 18" inches deep. I'm using Barrina T8 LED lights that are 5000 lumens and 5000K. My question is, should I use two of these Berrian lights per shelf, or three lights per shelf?
I use 2 light sets on each shelf on mine, which is a total of 4 led strips. This gives better coverage across the whole shelf width. With the lights you are using, since they are grow lights, you might not need as many but it looks like they may just be 1 light strip per fixture? I would start with 2 per shelf and then just watch the plants. If any begin to get leggy (stretching towards the lights) I would add additional fixtures.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊 🌱
How long do you keep the lights on, both while seeds are in and out of soil?
Before the seeds sprout, 24hrs a day to keep them warm. Then once they have sprouted about 16 hours a day.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊🌱
Do you transition to a different type of soil in your cups from the seed starting mix once your plants begin to grow?
No, I don't use a normal "starting mix". I start my seeds in a mix that includes compost so it has nutrients for the plants to grow. I will also add an organic fertilizer after several weeks. Between the compost and the additional fertilizer, this provides enough to get them to the garden.
If you're using a store bought seed starting mix, you will need to replant your seedlings into a more fertile soil or add fertilizer. The starting mixes are typically almost entirely peat moss or coco-coir which have very little nutrients.
My Vegetable Seed Starting Mix:
4 Parts Coco-Coir or Peat Moss
2 Parts Organic Compost
1 Part Course Sand
1 Part Perlite
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊🌱
What soil do you use for your seedlings?
I mix up my own:
4 Parts Coco-Coir or Peat Moss
2 Parts Organic Compost
1 Part Course Sand
1 Part Perlite
- Make sure all ingredients are damp before mixing, mix thoroughly and plant seeds while soil mix is still damp.
Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Great video!! Where do you keep the seeds that haven't sprouted yet? They shouldn't be under the lights with the seeds that have sprouted, correct?
I keep all of them under the lights. Even though the light doesn't do anything for the unsprouted seeds, the lights do provide a little warmth to help them sprout.
@@InTheGarden thank you!!
@@InTheGarden I did forget to ask you one more thing if you don't mind. What do you do about the plants when they're supposed to be in the dark hours? How much does say, a living room light being flipped on effect them?
Where did you get the racks? Ballpark on price?
I purchased mine several years ago from Lowes. I think it was about $60 back then. Now they run around $100-125 I believe. You can find them at home improvement stores or online. Here is a link to a similar one on amazon:
amzn.to/3IL3O2v
*affiliate link
I'm building a very similar set up for 180 pepper plants. Do you have any simple/budget friendly ideas for circulating water between the trays?
I'm trying to grow the best darn peppers (180 plants) for under $3000.
Sorry, I don't have any water circulation set up on mine. Since I only use it for seed starting I just add water as needed.
Do you keep the lights on all day and night or have a timer to turn the lights off during the night ?
I keep the lights on about 15 hours a day. I use a smart plug timer, but any type of timer would work. 🙂🌱
How long do you have lights on?
Typically 12-15 hours a day. 😊🌱
do your led shop lights have little yellow chips all over the bulbs and cant be replaced. i just got these at wall mart did i get the right things./? i am, a newbe and don't know squat. i like your set up can you still maintain the plants after they start growing like tomatoes squash cukes. i figure from 1 January or febuary until April or may at the latest,about 18 inch plants before garden planting. please help.
Yes, that is what the lights look like. The bulbs are not replaceable but they should last for several years or longer.
I'm able to keep my plants in this setup until they go outside. I just move them around as they grow to keep the tall ones together and short ones together so the lights and shelves are easier to manage.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊🌱
Good video. Question - Do you end up using a lot more seed starting mix in plastic cups rather than smaller seed-starting cells? That’s always my constraint. I “ up pot” in potting mix.
I use my own starting mix, which is closer to potting mix so I'm not really using more, just starting with the potting mix.
Got it, thank you!
I'm using this set up for my first time ever seed starting indoors. I have a question if I may, once everything is set up, do you need to lift plastic at anytime to allow circulation during the germination process? Thank you
You don't need to remove the plastic until the seeds are sprouting. Once you see that they have germinated you can start to remove the plastic. They won't all sprout at the same time, so you'll probably have to move cups around and adjust the plastic to keep the ones that haven't sprouted covered.
Hope this helps. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
@@InTheGarden Thanks so much!
Once the seeds just start germinating and you can see the plant surfacing, do you take the plastic wrap of at this point?
Yes, as soon as they sprout you should remove the plastic. 🌱
I have a foolish question .. this is my first year but how many seeds per cup ? Is it one ? Or a maybe 2-3 because in packet I have about 12 seeds
That's actually a good question. You should place 1-3 seeds in each cup. Use just 1 if the seeds are rare, expensive or you have limited quantity on hand. 2 for seeds that are readily available and inexpensive. Use 3 for seeds that have a low germination rate.
Of course, you could always do just 1, but putting multiples increases the chance of every cup germinating.
If you only have 12 seeds, I'd probably suggest just 1 per cup so you aren't wasting any. When you plant more than 1 and they all germinate, you have to remove all but 1 later on so the extras are wasted.
Hope this helps. Thanks for watching 😊🌱
Once the seeds have sprouted, how many hours per day should I run the LED fluorescent lights?
I typically keep mine on about 15 hours a day
when is the best time to start growing plants indoors
There are a few things to consider when deciding when to start your seeds indoors... which specific plants, where you live, etc. Here is a video that discusses this in detail:
ua-cam.com/video/xCfBLIX3TKY/v-deo.html
what size cups are those?
I use the 18oz size
If you use the bigger cups, do you still use seed starter soil or do you use soil with more nutrions? I also want to skip the step of going from small cells to bigger cups, but am not sure about what soil to use then.
I use my own mix that does have more nutrients in it:
4 Parts Coco-Coir or Peat Moss
2 Parts Organic Compost
1 Part Course Sand
1 Part Perlite
I will also add a small amount of organic fertilizer. When filling the cups I top the soil with about 1/4in of plain Coco-Coir or Peat Moss. This helps keep mold from growing on top of soil.
Hope this helps, thanks for watching 😊 🌱
Awesome thank you
Hello, what lumens are your lights ... any chance you could get more detailed with the actual lights? Thank you for this!!!
Hi, the lights shown in the video are "Hyper Tough 5000 Lumen LED Shop Lights" from Walmart
@@InTheGarden thank you!