7 Steps of Seed Starting

What, where, when... how?
Does this sound how you feel about seed starting?  It doesn’t have to be by following a few easy guidelines to make you feel brave enough to try it on your own!

1. Need for Seeds?
Alsip Nursery offers a wide variety of seeds and accessories to make it as painless as possible. Everything from Bird of Paradise to Bird House Gourd seeds, We have heirloom and organic vegetables & herbs as well. From the most trusted brands from Thompson & Morgan, Taste of Italy, Livingston & Burpee and more!
 2. A Smart Start
When should seeds be started indoors you may ask? The packaging of the seeds gives most of the information you could want when thinking of growing something. It tells you how many days to germination (when the first signs of life will pop out of the soil) to the date of maturity (when you can harvest the food or it will flower). It will also typically tell you how deep to plant it and if it is sun or shade loving.
3. Select A Spot
Successful seeds require a good location providing sun and warmth to get started. Most choose windowsills, which can suffice but do become very drafty and cooler at night. If this is a problem, heat mats and gro lights are the perfect solution. These are great for growing in the basement or a spare bedroom. Place a heat mat under the plants to establish a root system and keep plants warm. Gro lights act as the sun in perfect conditions. Ideal placement is directly above the plant, so they do not stretch to one side. Alsip offers both incandescent, fluorescent and halogen lights,
4. Pick A Pot
What to grow them in? There are so many options but find what suits your situation best. We have all kinds of seed starting pots that, including those that decompose when planted in the ground. Plantation seed starter pots pots come in an array of sizes. Net pots/cups are used for hydroponic systems that have the plant’s roots suspended over a nutrient solution. We also carry hydroponic starter sets. 
5. Satiate Your Seeds
We have it all for seed starting soil! Dr. Earth Root Zone Seed Starter is top of the line. Using Dr. Earth Seed Starter Fertilizer will give plants the best start they could ask for when combined with our tips! When watering it is important to use a light stream and keeping the soil moist but not sopping wet, this is best accomplished by using a spray bottle.
 6. Harden Your Garden
Once the plants have successfully grown and are ready to be hardened off, our mini greenhouses are a great option to do this is in. If this is a new journey for you, a 3 Tier Mini Greenhouse might be big enough and if not we also carry the Walk In Mini Greenhouses and a few sizes in between to fit every ones needs.  Mini greenhouses are the best to go as they help with humidity and keep everything just a little bit tidier.
7. Get Growing!
Now that you’re an expert on starting seeds indoors, what are you waiting for? Stop in to Alsip Home & Nursery for all your seed needs! 

 

 

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Testimonials

"I am from Chicago but work out in Frankfort. I bought some planters here last spring. The staff was super helpful. This place is HUGE!! They have anything and everything you could ever think of for your garden (plants, flowers and accessories) PLUS patio furniture, pet stuff, holiday stuff, etc."

Natalie Z.

 

We were at your store Sunday.. workers were very helpful and it was loaded with gorgeous color and plants.Spent close to $200 and am sure we will be back a few more times. 

 

Thanks Larry Bretveld

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