I live in Hardiness zone 8

What is Pseu Planting? (2026)

Veggies

Cucumber

Lettuce

Habanero 

Bell Pepper

Spinach

Squash

Tomato (Yeah Ik its a fruit)

Basil

Chives

Potato

Carrot

Garden beans

Ornamentals

Zinnias

Sunflowers

Marigolds

Firecracker Peppers

Fruits

TBD!

Buying established fruit plants

from garden store instead of growing from seed

Pseu's Garden Updates

02-05-26 Planted habanero and bell pepper seeds indoors!

02-11-26 First pepper seedling emerged!

02-18-26 Pepper seedlings thriving! Started lettuce and chive seeds indoors!

02-21-26 Lettuce seedlings already emerged! No chives visible yet :(

03-01-26 Fertilized seedlings for the first time (Chives refuse to sprout?)

03-05-26 Culled weakest lettuce and pepper seedlings RIP

03-14-26 Started tomato and basil seeds indoors, filled raised beds!

03-19-26 Hopefully it warms back up soon.

04-01-26 I think it's done freezing for the year. All seedlings are looking good and I'll probably just direct sow the rest.

 

Here are the steps required to start your own seeds indoors!

  1. Get some sort of seed tray or small pots. This could be a professionally manufactured seed starting tray, 3d printed seedling pots, or even small styrofoam cups with holes cut in the bottom

  2. Locate your light source. I use a shop-light on 3d printed stands, but you could use any full spectrum light that can be left on for around 16 hours a day.

  3. Get a seed starting mix. I use coco coir but any seed starting mix or sifted garden soil will work.

  4. Locate the starting instructions on the back of your seed package. This will tell you if they can be started indoors and how long before the last frost date to start them.

  5. Look up the estimated last frost date for your area. The farmers almanac is a fairly reliable source for this.

  6. When you reach the time frame listed on your seed packet, sow the seeds in each pot based off the seed package specifications.

  7. It is ideal to water your seed pots from the bottom and let the water absorb upward into each pot. This prevents seed/root rot and mold growth. (Don't forget to drain the excess!)

  8. Wait for your seedlings to emerge from the starter mix.

  9. Once seedlings emerge, keep light 2-4 inches away from the tops to prevent leggy seedling growth.

  10. Add a small fan that will lightly blow on your seedlings while the light is on to strengthen their stems.

  11. Once your seedlings grow their first true leaves you can begin fertilizing the starting mix once every week and a half or so. Mix to 1/4 to 1/2 the strength listed on the liquid fertilizer instructions.

  12. Two weeks before your transplant date begin hardening off your seedlings. Temporarily move them outside daily to a shady area starting at 1 hour and increasing up to 2 for the first week. Then during the second week put them in a sunnier area for 1 hour and increase from there again. (Make sure it is at least 50F outside and not super windy when you're doing this)

  13. After hardening off, transplant your seedlings into your garden!