Getting Started Growing Your Own Vegetable and Herb Seedlings

Seedlings are the baby plants you see at the nurseries, ready to be transplanted into your garden. But you might want to grow your own instead. While there are many benefits of starting your own vegetable and herb plants from seeds, there is one BIG reason why you might consider purchasing instead. Here are the most important considerations for growing seedlings at home.

Benefits to growing your own:

You know exactly how the seedlings were grown. Ensure your plants are grown organically without any toxic chemicals entering your garden. When purchasing, ask whether plants have been treated.
You ensure your plants immunity is high for a healthy life. Temperatures and conditions are important to baby plants, and stress at a young age can cause transplant shock or a weak plant that doesn’t yield well. Sometimes you bring home a seedling, plant it, and it dies. And you’re not sure if it’s something you did. But it could just be a plant that wasn’t cared for properly.
You have complete control of when you put plants in the ground. When purchasing transplants, you are relying on what’s available at the stores. And what you want is not always there when you need it. Growing your own means you can plan ahead for your most abundant harvest.
You have access to hundreds of varieties of vegetables. There are so many varieties of mustard greens and tomatoes on the planet that nobody could even tell you how many there are. And that’s true of most vegetables. Choose exciting varieties for flavor, yield, and what grows well in your climate.
You save money. Once you get the hang of growing HEALTHY plants and you have all the supplies, you will save money. However, the first few years, planting your own can actually be more expensive than buying transplants. This is the one BIG reason you may want to purchase instead.

Three garden supplies essential to growing your own seedlings

You’ll need 1) growing medium (not soil), 2) containers to put it in, and 3) grow lamps if you’re growing indoors. We’ll focus on containers in this article. But real quick, our favorite growing medium is Fox Farm Ocean Forest Potting Mix. It’s got everything your plants need in one bag, from earthworm castings, bat guano, sea-going fish & crab meal to forest humus and moss. This mix will not disappoint! Click here to get it on Amazon. And here is a bulk order option.

This article is too short to include recipes for making your own mix. A couple key ingredients to include are perlite, vermiculite, peat moss or Canna Coconut Coir and Wiggle Worm – Worm Castings. For small gardens, choose the 4.5-pound size. For larger gardens, choose the bulk 30-pound option.

This is not a complete list, just some of our favorites to get you started.

Reusable Containers for Starting Vegetable and Herb Seeds

Generally, plastic trays are flimsy and end up in the landfill after just one or two uses. However, one farm is changing all that and helping to redefine our relationship to the Earth. Bootstrap Farmer offers durable trays with a one-year warranty against warping and breakage… that’s amazing! Clean trays between use to prevent disease spread.

These are the best, longest-lasting trays on the market. And they have different cell sizes available. Get cells for smaller varieties like lettuces here and get larger six cells for your larger transplants like tomatoes and cucumbers here.

Containers You Plant Right in the Ground

Avoiding plastic altogether? Consider Fertilpots over at Arbico Organics, which compost right into your soil. Plant the whole thing in your garden and avoid any transplant shock from handling the plant. Unlike many similar compostable products, they are OMRI-listed meaning the ingredients have been tracked as organic. Fertilpots are breathable and help prevent roots from getting root-bound, too. However, the downside is that you have to keep buying more.

“Soil Blocking” Eliminates the Need for Containers

Soil blocking is a process where you press your growing medium together into squares that hold together without the need for containers. Once you have the right equipment for this process, you never have to buy containers ever again. However, you do have a higher initial investment to get started.

There are benefits to this method: no cleaning trays, conserving growing medium, and providing optimal root health. How to soil block effectively is a topic of another post. NOTE: You’ll need to mix your own special growing medium (not one that you can buy at a big-box store), and a bit of time to get used to the process.

Soil blockers are for anyone who wants to get away from plastic, has a little extra time and money, wants the healthiest seedlings and plans to garden long-term.

20-Cell Soil Blockers come in a handheld and stand-up versions. The stand-up soil blocker is much easier on your wrists, shoulders and back. 4” Soil Blockers are the largest blocker available and are perfect for your larger transplants like tomatoes, gourds, cucumbers, eggplant, etc.

How do you make your garden decisions?

Ultimately, there are many garden choices you will make. Some questions to consider: What do you really have time for? What feels like the best environmental choice for you? And what amount of investment feels good right now? Whatever suits you and your lifestyle is the right choice for you. And that goes for making decisions about seed starting at home, too.

Check out our Seeds Micro Course!

In this course, you’ll find resources for buying seeds that reflect your values, starting successful seedlings, and saving seeds–make gardening everything you need and want it to be!

Not Ready to Grow Yet?

Check out our Free Guide on Types of Seeds

In this guide, you’ll learn

NOTE: This article contains affiliate links and Grow Your Own Vegetables, LLC may be compensated when you click and purchase through the links above. By purchasing through these links, you’re supporting our mission to help green the planet and create food stable communities across the globe. We only recommend products we LOVE and that help growers on their quest for a fresh food lifestyle.

Cutting Boards for Fresh Food Safety

Food safety practices are important… especially when you start preserving and storing food. You’ve probably heard about sterilizing jars, and cleaning kitchen utensils properly. These are common practices to keep the bad microbes out of our food. But quite often, the one tool that’s overlooked is your cutting board.

When chopping fresh produce, it’s vital to have a cutting board that won’t create biofilms and harbor the kind of bacteria you don’t want to ingest. If you’re preserving your food for later – whether blanching, freezing, canning, drying or fermenting – it’s even more important. Having a good quality cutting board is the foundation for keeping you and your loved ones safe.

Simply put, a good cutting board is the one place you don’t want to skimp on. But what is the safest cutting board?

Plastic, Glass, or Wood?

Many people think that plastic cutting boards are safer than wood. Even the USDA’s Food News for Consumers has recommended plastic over wood cutting boards.

However, more recent studies reveal that plastic is not as safe as we think. According to the study, glass is the superior choice, followed by wood. Glass has a smooth surface, so no gaps to harbor bacteria. The problem with glass cutting boards is that the hard surface is hard on knives and might cause food-slippage accidents. Be careful!

Wood however, does not cause slipping the way glass does and is easier on your knives. Wood also has an antibacterial effect not found in glass or plastic boards that scientists are still trying to understand. What’s more, wood doesn’t require harsh sanitizing the way plastic boards do. Once a plastic surface has been cut into, the grooves can harbor all kinds of bacteria and require sanitizing with harsh chemicals. But as time goes on and more grooves appear, sanitizing your plastic cutting board may become less and less effective.

Sterilizing your wood cutting boards is easy and doesn’t require harsh chemicals. What’s fascinating about this study is that the scientists researching expected to find plastic cutting boards to be safer. Their intention was to discover how to clean wood to increase its safety. So they were quite surprised to discover that wood – specifically well maintained, close-grained hardwood cutting boards – were less prone to contamination.

PRO TIP: Historically, butchers used salt to keep the ‘bad’ smell away. Perhaps they also knew that using the salt kept people healthy, but there’s no record of that. Regardless, they had the right idea. Rinse your cutting board with warm water, sprinkle your cutting board with salt and rub the salt into the board using a lemon cut in half (flesh side down). Let sit for five minutes, rinse and let air dry in a place with good circulation.

What kind of wood is best for your Cutting Board?

According to the study, hardwoods are best. When you think of hardwood, you might think oak, mahogany, or maple. It’s true that these woods are harder than pine, chestnut, cherry, and even walnut. But they aren’t the BEST hardwoods for prepping your ferments, preserves and fresh food. It’s hard to imagine, but these woods are soft in comparison to other hardwoods. One quick look at a Janka chart will reveal just how soft in comparison these woods really are.

The Janka Scale Reveals the Best Wood Choice for Cutting Boards

Wood is measured by its hardness using a process called the Janka scale. This test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0.444″ steel ball into the wood to half of the diameter of the particular wood. Woods with higher ratings are harder than woods with lower ratings.

So for example, Genuine Mahogany measures 800 and English Brown Oak rates at 1360. The scale goes all the way up to 4380! While you don’t need the hardest wood on the planet to safely cut your vegetables for ferments and preserves, it’s a good idea to find something that has at least a 2500 rating. Even though maple is the industry standard (1,450 on the Janka scale), a harder wood will be more scratch and impact resistant, leaving you with a safer cutting board.

Check out this amazing cutting board, the Stella Falone Reversible Cutting Board made of solid West African Crelicam Ebony Wood. Not only is it made from a hardwood measuring at a whopping 3080 on the Janka Scale, but it’s made by a company that harvests ethically, replants what they harvest, and pays stable living wages to workers.

If you’re looking for a more affordable option, these mixed wood cutting boards made with Purpleheart Wood (2520 Janka Scale) are also good options. Here’s a pretty one that could double as a fancy food tray at your next party. It’s a Ziruma Teak and Purpleheart Wood Cheese Board and it’s cured with Organic Beeswax, too.

The Downside of Supremely Hardwood Cutting Boards

Yes it’s true, there’s a downside. The hardwood cutting boards ranked higher on the Janka scale will dull your knives a little faster. But it’s a small price to pay for better protection for your health and well being. Simply choose good quality knives, and sharpen your knives more often.

Ultimately, the cutting board with the least potential for bacterial contamination is glass… but the safest cutting board? Hands down, properly cared for hardwood cutting boards are safer with no slippage plus antibacterial properties. Plus, these beautiful cutting boards can also be a fancy food tray for your parties. Enjoy!

AK, N., CLIVER, D. and KASPAR, C. (1993). Decontamination of Plastic and Wooden Cutting Boards for Kitchen Use. [online] Available at: https://meridian.allenpress.com/jfp/article/57/1/23/195718/Decontamination-of-Plastic-and-Wooden-Cutting [Accessed 7 Mar. 2020].

3 Tips to Maximize Harvests & Simplify Your Garden Routine

If your garden ever feels chaotic or overwhelming, you’re not alone. Between planting, managing pests, and trying to stay on top of every season’s needs, it can easily get out of control. The key to smooth gardening is a solid plan. Imagine knowing exactly what to plant, where to plant it, and when to plant it—without all the guessing and stress. By organizing ahead of time, you can enjoy the growing season with confidence. Let’s dive into how you can maximize your harvests and simplify your garden routine.

If you’re a dedicated grower and you want to master crop planning we have a 3 in 1 course bundle that shows you how to grow hundreds of dollars of produce in the space the size of an SUV! To get that, CLICK HERE.

1. Be Ready with Materials Before the Season Starts

Getting your materials together before the season kicks off is a game changer. Whether it’s compost, soil amendments, planting beds, or seeds, have everything on hand so you’re ready when the season begins. This means you won’t be running around scrambling to find what you need when the planting window opens.

Why does this matter? Timing is everything. For instance, peas mature in 50 days, but they stop growing when the temperature hits 75°F. To get the best harvest, you need to plant them early enough in the season, such as the beginning of April if you live in a cooler climate like New York. The more prepared you are ahead of time, the smoother your growing season will be.

2. Plan Your Planting for Maximum Harvest

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‘3 Tips to Maximize Harvests & Simplify Your Garden Routine’?

Watch the video at the bottom of this post instead!

One of the smartest ways to get more out of your garden is by planting to maximize every space. You can do this by calculating how much time it takes for plants to mature and planning accordingly. For example, arugula matures in just 42 days, which means you can grow it multiple times in a season. By timing it right, you could harvest arugula up to four times!

Fill every available space in your garden, even smaller areas, with quick-growing crops. This approach ensures that your garden produces as much as possible throughout the season, giving you a constant harvest.

3. Save Money with Bulk Seed Purchases

Buying seeds in bulk is a great way to save money while planning for multiple seasons. When you know exactly how many seeds you need, buying in bulk helps lower the cost per pound. Plus, you can purchase extra seeds for next season, so you’re always ahead of the game.

This strategy is especially useful for crops you plan to grow every season, like tomatoes or lettuce. It’s a cost-effective way to ensure you have everything you need for your garden without constantly buying smaller packets each year.

3 Tips to Maximize Harvests & Simplify Your Garden Routine - Bulk Seeds

The growing season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or chaotic. With a bit of preparation and smart planning, you can maximize your harvests while simplifying your gardening routine. By being ready with materials ahead of time, planning your planting for maximum yield, and saving money with bulk seed purchases, you’ll enjoy a more efficient and productive garden. Start now, and watch how much smoother the entire gardening process becomes!

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This online course bundle gives you everything you need to succeed—with Done-for-You templates that you can every year.

Get started planning today!

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What 6″ of Empty Garden Space Costs You

Your garden is full of potential, but even six inches of unused space can make a surprising difference in your harvest. Discover what 6″ of empty garden space costs you.

Small Space, Big Impact

Six inches of garden space might seem insignificant, but it can yield an impressive amount of fresh produce. Imagine turning that small patch into a pound of carrots, five heads of lettuce, or two pounds of radishes. That’s food on your plate and money saved at the store. Each inch in your garden has the power to nourish you and your family.