New gardeners often need a 'how to' guide in order to get started in gardening, especially if they are starting from scratch, rather than landscape gardening where the plants are already grown, wanting to grow their garden from seeds. It is often easier to get seeds started inside since there are less insects and animals that could steal the seeds or disturb the soil where the seeds are planted. In addition, until the seeds have gotten a good start in growing so that they have more of a sturdy root base and more mature leaves, they are also very susceptible to the weather, insects and other animals who love to munch on new seedlings.

Starting Seeds

There are several types of gardening supplies that are needed in order to grow seeds from scratch. First the new seeds will need a solid base in which to grow that is full of nutrients that will help them to mature and be healthy. The best soil to use is potting mix which tends to hold water well, yet still give the drainage needed for potted plants, which is important for the seeds. Potting mix is also full of nutrients that the soil from outside is unlikely to have on its own without being mixed with a strong mulch base. Even with good mulch, potting soil is still the best gardening supply for starting seeds.

The next gardening supply that is needed is some sort of container or containers in which to plant the seeds. These containers do not have to be bought at the store; they can be containers that formerly held food products or other supplies, such as egg cartons or butter containers. If the gardening supplies were formerly used for other purposes, it is important that they be well cleaned before use with the seeds since any types of mold can kill the seeds before they have a chance to grow. A strong bleach solution is usually the best answer to cleaning the containers and killing all possible molds or bacteria.

Plastic bags or some other type of cover that is see through so that light can get to the seeds is another important gardening supply for starting seeds since it creates a mini-greenhouse in which the seeds can get their start. The plastic keeps the moisture and heat in so that it creates the humid, warm environment that new seeds flourish in. Besides these gardening supplies, the only other things needed are the seeds to be planted and the water and light source for them to grow.