Seed starting is an exciting time! It’s the beginning of new life and it means that the growing season is approaching. It’s amazing how something so tiny can grow into a huge plant that bears food for us to eat!

A quick little story. My seeds were already started twice this year. The first set of photos below are seeds in peat pots and the next set they’re in plastic pots. That’s because we had a big storm come through and it turned over my greenhouse. I have since supported the greenhouse and added weight to the bottom shelf to prevent this from happening again.

I reconsidered the original seed starting peat pots because I wanted to reuse the pots next season or later this season. Peat pots are great because they’re more ecofriendly. You start your seed in it and then place the plant, pot and all, in the ground. But like I mentioned before, you can’t reuse them. I decided to grow the most cost effective garden possible. That means spending the least amount of money on supplies and buying things that can be reused.

The most cost effective place to purchase seeds and pots (among other things) is the Dollar Tree. Seeds are .25 cents a pack and pots come in packs of 12 for $1! I also purchased potting soil there because a bag will go pretty far when you’re just starting seeds. It’s not, however, somewhere to buy large amounts of garden soil. The problem with Dollar Tree is that their selection is small and they run out quickly.

These seeds are organic, non-GmO Heirloom varieties that are much better quality than the Dollar Tree. Also, here are some starter pots that would be reusable for years to come. I love looking through seed catalogs, and places like Baker Creek have these beautiful heirloom varieties, but it can get overwhelming. So my advice is to start with just a few plants to keep from getting in over your head!

Did you know you can start vegetable or flower seeds in your house? Just give them a sunny window and keep them watered! You don’t necessarily need a greenhouse to start seeds, although it does come in handy.

There are so many options for greenhouses. You can build your own with wood and plastic coverings, PVC pipes, etc. Pinterest has countless ideas for a DIY greenhouse. However, there are many online that you can order and easily put together in minutes. Click here for a greenhouse like the one I use or if you live in a colder region,

Once you have your supplies, it’s time to plant! The first thing you want to check is timing. You can find your last frost date here. Then, check your seed packet for when to plant the seeds in your zone. I add a couple of seeds per pot and thin the smaller plants once they’re a couple inches tall. Not all seeds are guaranteed to germinate, so that’s why adding more seeds to a single pot is a good idea.

The right time to transplant your vegetable plants outdoors varies. Usually when there is no threat of frost, the plant is several inches tall, and it has several healthy leaves, it’s okay to transplant outside. Starting seeds indoors or in a greenhouse stretches your growing season significantly and also saves you money because you don’t have to buy starter plants.

I’m starting a couple different types of tomatoes, peppers, and some flowers in my greenhouse. Many vegetables are directly sowed in the garden outside and wouldn’t do well transplanted. These include root vegetables like carrots, beets, potatoes, and others. In a future post, I’ll share everything I’m planting in my garden this year. So subscribe to be sure you dont miss it!

It’s important to do your research when starting seeds (or starting a garden in general) but just remember, you dont have to have all of the answers. Gardening is a lot of trial and error, seasons vary from year to year, and it’s impossible to be perfect at it. Find ways to enjoy the process as much as you enjoy the harvest because let’s face it…gardening is hard work!

Have you successfully started seeds before? Leave me a comment below!