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in Garden· Growing a Cut Flower Garden Series· Tips and Tutorials

What Supplies You’ll Need to Start a Cut Flower Garden By Seed

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Are you considering growing your flowers and vegetables by seed this year? If you are, here is a list of what supplies are needed to start your seeds, in order to grow plants that are strong and healthy.

seedlings inside greenhouse

I personally plant most of my seeds in the greenhouse, rather than planting them directly in the garden. This is mostly because the weather can be so unpredictable this time of year, and seeds are so delicate and can be damaged very easily.

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seed packets

It’s important to get the right supplies when sowing your seeds so that you have just the right environment to grow healthy seedlings, strong enough to transplant to the garden when ready.

See all the blog posts in the GROWING A CUT FLOWER GARDEN series HERE.

seed starts growing in container with plastic dome and heat lamp

Choosing the Right Container to Start Your Seeds

There are many options when it comes to choosing the right container for your seeds. You can start them in anything that measures 2-3 inches deep, holds soil, and has drainage holes.

seedlings in the greenhouse

Choose from plastic pots, cell packs, peat pots, plastic flats, yogurt cups, plastic cups, egg cartons, or even shells. It’s crucial to have holes in the bottom of the container, so the plant’s roots will have space to grow, and so any water can drain out. Otherwise, the water will sit in the container, and the plant will rot.

cell trays filled with seed starting mix

I get the best results with cell packs for most of my seeds. The 72-cell flats are my favorite because I never have to re-pot seedlings when it’s time to transplant them in the garden. When planting sweet peas, pumpkins, or vines, I use 4-inch pots.

Root trainers are great for sweet peas, but I have seen a rolled-up newspaper tube work just as well. With so many choices out there, it’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on containers.

cleaning containers with water and bleach

If you decide to reuse pots or containers, make use you wash them with a 1 part bleach / 9 parts water solution to kill any diseases or pathogens.

drainage tray

Drainage Trays and Plastic Covering

You will need a drainage tray to set the containers in. When the seeds are first planted, it is important to let the plants soak up water through the bottom holes in their pots, so there is less chance of overwatering.

plastic dome cover

A plastic dome will provide the humidity needed to encourage germination. I recommend using clear acrylic lids that will fit snug over the seed trays and flats or pots.

seed supplies

You can buy the seed cell tray, drainage tray, and plastic dome separately, but all three components can be found as a seed start supply kit as well

Seed starts in 4-inch container with heated mat

Bottom Heat for Seed Germination

Your seeds need to be kept warm and moist, in order for rapid germination to take place. A heat mat will help with this, but if you are growing seeds in your home, rather than a greenhouse, the top of a radiator or your refrigerator will work as well.

Seed starts in containers

Seed Starting Potting Soil Mixes

Start your seeds off with a high-quality seed starting mix, containing the right balance of nutrients, and the proper pH balance. Look for soil that is free of toxic substances, and avoid anything that contains a synthetic fertilizer or bark, which can burn the young plants. Find a seed starting potting mix that holds moisture properly.

sweet pea seedling

Seeds Need Light to Grow Healthy

Seedlings need adequate light to grow healthy and strong, with around 14-16 hours of illumination. Without enough sunlight, plants tend to be weak and spindly. With that said, I have never used heat lamps or shop lights in my greenhouse, and my flowers have always thrived.

Heat lamps are recommended, especially when you are growing plants in your home or basement. They provide both light and heat to encourage healthy, strong plants and help to speed up growth.

planting seedlings in the garden

Make sure to stick labels in the tray or pot with the name of the seed variety, and the date you planted them. I use craft sticks or craft sticks to label my plants many times because they are so low in cost. However, if you are going to use labels outdoors, I would not recommend the craft sticks.

seedlings growing in the raised beds

Let me know if you have any questions or ideas about the supplies needed for seed starting. As always, it’s important for me to remind you that I am not a Master Gardener or a professional gardener. These are only suggestions based on what has worked for me.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

See all the blog posts in the GROWING A CUT FLOWER GARDEN series HERE.


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Other Gardening Posts For You

Cut Flower Garden Dos and Don'ts

How to Prepare Your Cut Flower Garden Beds

Seed Starting 101 - Growing a Cut Flower Garden Series

Planning Your Cut Flower Garden

How to Grow Sweet Peas From Seed

8 Mistakes I Made in My Cut Flower Garden This Year


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Comments

  1. Barbara at Mantel and Table says

    02/13/2020 at 11:06 am

    Beautiful blog Kim! I can’t wait to read more. 💗 I love growing plants from seed but it’s been a long long time. Now I know where to come when I’m ready to do some more! Your photos are so inspiring – thanks for all of it!

    Reply
    • Kim says

      02/13/2020 at 7:54 pm

      Thank you so much Barbara! I am so thrilled that you came here to check things out! My plan is to post a gardening post at least once a week. I hope you like them!

      Reply
  2. Stacy says

    02/11/2020 at 8:43 am

    Great article!!! You grow so much from seed!!! Someday for me! 🌷

    Reply
    • Kim says

      02/13/2020 at 12:29 am

      Thank you for the compliment Stacy! It’s so much fun, I hope you get to join in on the fun soon! Thank you for visiting my blog!

      Reply
  3. Cindy McTigue says

    02/11/2020 at 8:16 am

    If I had this beautiful space at my disposal I would give it a try. .just be rewarding seeing a plant develop from seed.

    Cindy

    Reply
    • Kim says

      02/13/2020 at 12:30 am

      Thank you so much for visiting my blog Cindy! It is a really rewarding experience!

      Reply
    • Kim says

      03/19/2020 at 10:04 am

      It’s been rewarding. I’m having so much fun right now!

      Reply

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Hi! I'm Kim. Welcome to my home & garden blog, Shiplap and Shells. We live in a small 1920 beach cottage in the Pacific Northwest and have spent the last 10 years renovating, reinventing, and adding character to our forever home. Read More…

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