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As a busy, full-time working mom, the thought of spending hours in the garden can feel overwhelming. Between my career, running a household, and trying to keep up with two energetic boys, how could I possibly find the time to garden? However, there’s one thing that makes gardening much easier for me- starting seeds indoors. Starting my seeds indoors not only gives me a head start on the growing season, but it also saves me money and ensures I’m growing a variety of plants that thrive in our short Wisconsin growing season.

In this post, I’ll walk you through how I start seeds indoors as a busy mom, share my tips for keeping things simple, and explain why it’s totally worth the time investment- plus, I’ll share my step-by-step process to get you started today.

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Why Start Seeds Indoors?

Starting seeds indoors might seem like an extra step, but it has major benefits for busy moms like me:

• Shorter Growing Season: In Wisconsin, our growing season can be short, especially if you want to grow heat-loving plants like tomatoes and peppers. By starting seeds indoors, I can give these plants the extra time they need to mature.
• Save Money: Buying seedlings from the store can get expensive, especially for things like tomatoes, peppers, or herbs. Starting my own seeds indoors allows me to grow more for less money.
• Greater Variety: Not all plants are available as seedlings, so starting your own seeds allows you to grow unique varieties that might not be stocked at your local garden center.
• Family Fun: Starting seeds indoors is a great way to get my kids involved in the gardening process. They love helping with the planting and watching the seeds grow into plants they can later harvest.

My Simple Seed-Starting Setup

Let’s face it- moms don’t have time for complicated setups. That’s why I’ve kept my seed-starting process as simple as possible. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Containers for Planting

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You don’t need anything fancy. I have used egg cartons and yogurt cups in past years, but have now invested in plastic seed trays that so far have lasted me a few seasons. I love these as it comes as a kit with humidity vented domes. Whatever works best for you and is easy to find at home! Just make sure the containers have drainage holes so the seedlings won’t get waterlogged. As your seeds grow, and the sprouts reach the top of the domes you will need to transfer them to larger pots to encourage continued growth before being able to transfer them into your garden or outdoor containers.

2. Seed-Starting Mix

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Regular garden soil isn’t ideal for starting seeds. It’s too heavy and can prevent seeds from germinating. I use this certified organic Coconut Coir Concentrated Seed Starting Mix– it’s specifically designed for starting seeds and allows for good drainage and root development. It is a 100% biodegradable soil alternative, is environmentally-friendly and a renewable alternative to peat moss. You can find variations of this at most garden centers as well as on Amazon in the link above.

3. Grow Lights

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While you can start seeds in a sunny window, sometimes there just isn’t enough natural light. I’ve found that using a grow light is the easier way to make sure the seeds get the light they need to grow strong and healthy. I have a simple LED grow light setup, which I hang above my seed trays. This grow light is the perfect option when starting out (and honestly I still use the same ones-I have 3 of them-after 3 seasons).

4. Heat Mat (Optional, but highly recommended)

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Some seeds need extra warmth to germinate. I use this heat mat underneath my trays, which warms the soil just enough to encourage germination. It’s not necessary for every plant, but it really helps with crops like tomatoes and peppers, which need warm soil to sprout. I also use it for bread making in the winter months, extra added use!

5. Spray Bottle

This glass spray bottle is heavy duty and perfect for gently watering the seeds without overdoing it. I find that spraying the seeds with a mist of water helps prevent disturbing the soil or seeds especially in the first few weeks after planting.

6. Liquid Fertilizer (Optional, but recommended)

Once seedlings sprout their first true leaves, I start feeding them with an organic liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. This gives them a gentle nutrient boost without overwhelming their delicate roots. Organic fertilizers contain beneficial microbes and nutrients that support healthy plant development without the harsh chemicals found in synthetic options.

7. Seeds!

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You can’t start seeds without seeds! I always choose organic seeds whenever possible. Why? Because they are grown without synthetic pesticides or chemicals, and I want to start my garden off in the healthiest, most natural way. Plus, growing your own food from organic seeds ensures you know exactly what’s going into your plants (and onto your dinner plate).

The Process: Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Seeds Indoors

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Now that we have the supplies, here’s the step-by-step process I use to start seeds indoors:

Step 1: Prepare Your Containers

• Fill your containers (egg cartons, yogurt cups, or seed trays) with the seed-starting mix.
• Lightly tap the containers to settle the soil and create a flat surface. This helps ensure the seeds are properly spaced.

Step 2: Plant Your Seeds

• Check the seed packet for planting depth recommendations. For most small seeds, a depth of about ¼ inch is ideal, while larger seeds need a deeper planting.
• Sprinkle a 2-4 seeds in each container or hole (since not all seeds will germinate), and cover them lightly with more seed-starting mix.

Step 3: Water Gently

• Use a spray bottle to gently water the soil. You want to keep the soil moist but not soggy. It’s important not to flood the seeds, as this can wash them away or cause them to rot.

Step 4: Provide Heat and Light

• Place your seed trays in a warm spot- around 65-75°F (18-24°C) to encourage germination.
• Cover with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to keep moisture in, helping seeds germinate faster.
• If you’re using a heat mat (which I highly recommend), turn it on to provide bottom heat for the seeds.
• Set up your grow light about 2-4 inches above the seedlings and leave it on for about 12-16 hours a day to mimic sunlight.

Step 5: Keep the Soil Moist and Leaves Dry

• Check the soil daily to ensure it’s not too dry or wet. Mist with water if needed to keep it moist, but not wet.
• Use a fan or a room with good air circulation to prevent mold or rot on the seedlings and leaves.

Step 6: Thin the Seedlings

• Once your seeds sprout and grow a little taller, you’ll need to thin them out. Only keep the strongest seedlings in each container, removing the weaker ones. This gives your plants room to grow.

Step 7: Use Liquid Fertilizer

• After seedlings develop their first true leaves, begin feeding them with an organic fertilizer. I fertilize about once a week to provide nutrients for strong, healthy growth without overwhelming the young plants.

Step 8: Move to Larger Pots when needed

• Once seedlings develop strong roots and outgrow their starter trays (usually when they have 2-3 sets of true leaves), transplant them into 4-inch pots filled with a light, nutrient-rich potting mix. This gives them more room to grow before moving them outdoors. Be gentle with the roots when transplanting!

Step 9: Hardening Off

• About a week before you plan to plant your seedlings outside, you need to harden them off. This means gradually acclimating them to outdoor conditions. Start by placing them outside for a few hours a day, and gradually increase the time they spend outdoors over the next week.
• I use large plastic bins for a make shift greenhouse and place them on the south side of our house to ensure adequate sunlight throughout the day when they are outside.

Step 10: Transplant to the Garden

• Once the risk of frost has passed (in Wisconsin, that’s usually around mid-May), it’s time to transplant your seedlings into the garden. Be sure to plant them at the correct depth and water well.

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Tips for Busy Moms to Make Seed Starting Easier

• Start Small: It can be tempting to start a huge variety of plants, but I recommend starting with just a few, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and maybe a couple of flowers. You can always add more as you get comfortable.
• Involve the Kids: My boys love planting seeds! The older one helps by filling pots, and the younger one enjoys watering, spraying the seeds, the windows and sometimes his brother. It’s a great way to spend quality time together, and they get to watch their hard work grow.
• Use a Seed-Starting Calendar: Stay organized by using a journal to track when you need to start each type of seed I mark my calendar with the dates based on the last expected frost date in our area.

Seed Starting Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming. Starting seeds indoors may seem like a lot of work, but in reality, it’s simple and efficient, especially when you break it down into small, manageable steps. It’s an easy way to get a jumpstart on the growing season, save money, and get your kids involved in the process. Even with my busy schedule, it’s a task I look forward to every year. And, after all, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching your tiny seeds grow into lush plants that will provide food for your family all season long.

With love,

Bri & Cat

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