Finding Space to Start Seeds Indoors

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I decided I wasn’t going to let my lack of space prevent me from starting my own seeds indoors.

That’s been my excuse forever: where do I even have a little corner to put seeds? Compounding the problem is a lack of natural light in my small urban condo. The combination of no natural light and no space near existing light fixtures meant I had to create my own space and light.

Starting seeds in a storage closet

Luckily, I have a storage closet that my neighbors would be envious of. It’s a subterranean space that actually extends to under the sidewalk. We’ve lined the 3.5-foot-wide and 16-foot-long space with Metro shelving and store everything back there, from pantry items and wine to sleeping bags, guest sheets and winter jackets.

The sheets, as it turns out, are the answer to my seed-starting problem.

Stored in big plastic bins, I’ve stacked extra sheets onto a makeshift Metro shelving coat rack with a bottom and top rack. Voila, I had the room I needed to start seeds.

Installing a light for growing seeds

I now needed light. The rack above easily supported the installation of a 14-inch fluorescent light. I suspended it with lengths of chain. The chains allow me to adjust the height so as my growing seedlings get taller, I can raise the light.

A static light far above the just-germinating seedlings will cause them to get leggy and spindly. Far better to have the light source stay at a steady 4-5 inches above the seedlings so it gets higher as they get taller.

Starting seeds in Cow Pots

Using two shallow-rimmed baking sheets as a base, I placed two 6-packs of Cow Pots on each tray. These Cow Pots have six cells like a traditional plastic 6-pack, but the great thing about these are they can be planted right into the ground where they will break down and incorporate into the soil.

I filled each 6-pack with a special MiracleGro seed-starting soil, which has, according to the bag, more phosphorus for better root growth.

Why didn’t I go organic? Because the Big Box where I bought my light didn’t have organic potting soil. Plus, I feel as long as I grow the plant organically once it’s in the garden, thats fine with me.

Meet Ellen Wells

When you’re raised on a farm, you can’t help but know a thing or two about gardening. Ellen Wells is our expert on edible gardening.…

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