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

Are you considering growing your flowers and vegetables by seed this year? If you are, I’ve compiled a list of what supplies are needed to start sowing your seeds to grow strong and healthy plants.

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

When growing a cut flower garden from your own seeds, it all starts with how you sow your seeds.

It’s important to have the right supplies to start sowing your seeds and just the right environment to grow healthy seedlings.

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I’m a self-taught hobby gardener, not a Master Gardener. Everything I share with you on my blog is my personal opinion and things that have worked for me personally.

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Quality Seeds

Using quality seeds is essential for growing a successful cut flower garden. They are more likely to produce strong, healthy plants that are more resistant to disease and pests and are better equipped to withstand harsh weather conditions.

Investing in quality seeds means your flowers will provide the following:

• more consistent results
• higher quality and more vibrant colored flower production
• healthier and more vigorous longer-lasting blooms

I buy over 90% of my flower seeds from Floret Flower Farm. To see the cut flower seeds I chose to grow for the last three years, click the buttons below.

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Seed Starting Mix

Using just any garden soil is one of the mistakes beginning gardeners make when starting their cut flower garden from seed.

Start your seeds with a high-quality seed-starting soil mix that contains nutrients and the proper pH balance.

Look for soil free of toxic substances, and avoid anything containing a synthetic fertilizer or bark, which can burn young plants. Find a seed-starting potting mix that holds moisture properly.

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Containers

Choose the Right Container to Start Your Seeds

One of the most important seed-starting supplies is the container that holds the seeds. There are many options for choosing the right container for your seeds. You can start them in anything 2-3 inches deep that holds soil and has drainage holes.

There are so many different sizes and shapes for containers to grow seedlings. Choose from a variety of seed-starting containers:

• plastic pots
• cell packs
• peat pots
• plastic drainage trays
• yogurt cups
• plastic cups
• egg cartons

It’s crucial to have holes in the bottom of the container for a plant’s healthy root system, which needs space to grow so any water can drain. Otherwise, the water will sit in the container, and the plant will rot.

I get the best results with cell trays for most of my seeds. The 72-cell flats are my favorite because I never have to re-pot seedlings before it’s time to transplant them in the garden.

When planting sweet peas, pumpkins, or vines, I use larger containers, usually 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, spending a lot of money on containers is unnecessary.

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Clean Used Containers

If you decide to reuse pots or containers, wash them with a one-part bleach / nine-parts water solution to kill any diseases or pathogens.

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Drainage Trays

You will need a drainage or seedling tray to set the plant containers in.

Filling these trays with water when the seeds are first planted allows the plants to soak up water through the bottom holes in the containers. This watering method helps prevent overwatering and keeps the seeds from washing away if watering overhead.

Humidity Domes

A humidity dome lid provides a warm and moist environment which encourages germination. I recommend using clear acrylic lids that will fit snugly over the seed trays and flats or pots.

Heat Mat

Using bottom heat will keep your seeds warm and moist for rapid germination.

A heat mat is a great tool when growing seeds in a greenhouse. If you don’t have a greenhouse, the top of a radiator or refrigerator will also provide the same results.

Grow Lights

New seedlings need adequate light to grow healthy and strong, with around 14-16 hours of light. Otherwise, plants tend to become weak and spindly without enough light,

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

I have never used a grow light in my greenhouse and rely on natural light from the skylights and windows in my outdoor structure, and my flowers have always thrived in my cut flower garden. But I have bought several this year and look forward to seeing the difference in growth.

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Seed Starter Kits

Seed starting kits are available if you are growing a limited amount of seeds.

If you buy the seed cell tray, drainage tray, and humidity dome, and grow light separately, you will most likely get a better deal if you sow several varieties of seeds like me.

But buying 3 or 4 components together as a seed starter kit can be the best way for convenience and cost-efficiency if you’re buying just a couple of kits.

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Here are a few of them to choose from:

Seed Starter Kits Available

• Seed Starter Tray with Light, 6PCS Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light, Seedling Starter Trays with Humidity Domes, Covers Height 3.9″, Indoor Gardening Plant Germination Trays (12 Cells per Tray)
• Seed Starter Tray, 40 Cells Seed Starter Kit with Seedling Heat Mat, Germination Tray with Humidity Control Domes, Cloning Kit, Propagation and Germination Station, Heat Mat for Plants Starter Kit
• Seed Starter Kit with Grow Light,72 Cells Seed Starter Tray with Humidity Dome and Seedling Heat Mat Seedling Starter Trays for Seed Starter, Seed Growing Germination Kit, Plant Propagation Kit

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Plant Tags or Labels

Label your seedling containers as soon as you sow your seeds. Write the name of the seed variety and the date you sowed the seeds on the plant tag.

This is one of the seed-starting supplies that often get overlooked, but labeling plants is so important when growing seedlings and transplanting them outdoors.

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Temperature-Controlled Heater and Fan

Heater

A temperature-controlled heater in the greenhouse is important when planting seeds because it helps ensure that the temperature and humidity levels are optimal for them to germinate and grow.

Temperature and humidity fluctuations can delay or prevent seed germination, so having a heater that can maintain a consistent temperature is essential for successful seed planting.

I keep our greenhouse at a minimum of 45°F. throughout the winter to grow seedlings and overwinter my geraniums.

Fan

Having a temperature-controlled fan in the greenhouse when planting seeds is important because it helps to create a consistent and optimal environment for the seeds to germinate and grow.

CLICK HERE for the thermostat link.

The fan helps to regulate the temperature and keep the air circulating, providing a more even and consistent temperature throughout the day and night.

A fan also helps to reduce the risk of diseases, such as fungal diseases, from developing on the seedlings by reducing humidity and increasing air circulation.

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Watering Can or Hose

Water your seedlings in the greenhouse using a watering can or a hose regularly.

Until your seeds germinate and sprout, continue bottom watering, so you are not washing the tiny seeds away.

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The right seed-starting supplies are essential for growing a cut flower garden in the greenhouse.

With the proper supplies and patience, you can create a beautiful, productive cut flower garden that will provide you with a continuous source of fresh flowers.

I’d love to hear from you. Be sure to leave a comment below.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

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