Starting Herb And Veg Garden From Seed

Question

Hi! I’m starting my first garden. Everything has been backordered/sold out so our plan has evolved based on what we can find, but we finally are almost ready with the last pieces being shipped. I’ve spent hours and hours researching, but just this morning saw something else that maybe I should have gotten, so I looked for help and found you! Thanks! Our plan – we have (and have en route) tons of herb and veg seed packets. We are going to grow them in those nice grow bags – we have a variety of sizes – 5 each of 8, 9, 12 and 20 inches wide. The grow bags will sit on movable slatted plant shelves for drainage that we can put in the place in our backyard with the appropriate amount of sun. I’ve done initial research on which things grow well together/not to plant together, and will work some more on researching how much space everything needs to see how many things I can put in each pot and how many seeds of each thing to use. I feel like I need to see what the currently in the mail seed variety packs end up containing before we finalize that plan since the sellers said there likely will be substitutions due to demand. This morning I finally realized that seed starter kits seem to be recommended. I had assumed I would just put the seeds into the grow bags but it seems like seed starter kits are better. I saw the little mini greenhouse ones that look cool. And apparently I should use seed starter pellets with that and not use all of our potting soil yet. If I understand, the greenhouse top is to get humidity until the seedlings emerge. I live in Virginia where we’ve had a pretty cool spring so far but its finally getting to be lows in the 50s and 60s and highs in the 60s through 80s in the next two weeks. It will get humid but probably not until next month. It looks like seed starter kits are good to start indoors in the early spring so they are ready to put into their real pots about now. Which means I’m running late. So – should I still use a seed starter kit and pellets? If so can put in an area of the yard that gets all day sun. How would I know when it is time to move them into the grow bags? Thanks so much – I know this is a long message! I am really excited for this project and am very thankful for your help!

Answer 1

You're right about it being a little late to start germinating seeds. You'll have better luck planting some seedings at this time to get you started, but go ahead and start some little seedlings, to add in as you go. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/vgen/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/special/containers/grow-bags-for-gardening.htm