As spring approaches, it's the perfect opportunity to take up gardening.

Building your own home garden gives you the chance to witness the beauty of nature from the comfort of your backyard.

At the same time, you can get some much-needed fresh air while watching your plants slowly come to life.

To reap the benefits of gardening, it's important to grasp the basics of growing plants.

Our tips on successfully growing plants from seeds will help your raised garden bed thrive during the entire season. Here's what you need to know to get started.

Choose the Right Soil

Think of your soil as the foundation of your garden. Choosing high-quality soil helps foster healthy and abundant plant life.

As a rule of thumb, steer clear of garden soil, which tends to weigh down your plants.

Instead, aim for potting soil or a seed-starting mix that's sterile enough for proper plant growth.

Before you pack your containers with soil, carefully wet the soil with warm water to activate the nutrients inside it.

Select a Container

Just as important as the seeds themselves are the containers you place them in.

When looking for containers, be sure to check if they contain holes big enough to allow for drainage.

Most containers should also be at least 2-3 inches deep to accommodate proper seed growth.

If you use materials lying around your house, such as plastic plant pots or yogurt containers, take the time to clean out the vessels thoroughly before placing seeds inside them.

You can also choose to invest in seed-starting containers if you plan to pursue gardening as a long-term hobby.

Stick to a Watering Schedule

Consistency is key when watering your plants.

While it's crucial to keep the soil moist, you should also be careful not to overwater your plants.

This can lead to plant disease and other serious problems.

For best results, pay attention to the directions for your chosen plants.

For example, tomato seedlings typically require about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, while cucumber seedlings need at least 1 full inch of water a day to thrive.

Provide Plenty of Light

Natural light is just as essential to plants' growth as water is.

For optimal results, aim to expose your plants to about 14-16 hours of direct sunlight a day.

South-facing windows tend to offer the most light, especially during the cold winter months when the sun's rays are at their weakest.

If you aren't sure whether your seedlings are getting enough light, pay close attention to the way they're behaving.

For example, if your plants seem to be bending towards the window, this is often a red flag that they're lacking adequate sunlight.

Other common signs that your plants aren't getting enough light include yellowed leaves, a dull-green hue, stunted leaf growth and unusually long stems.

Give Your Plants the Right Start

The care you give your seedlings now will directly influence the plants they become over time.

To ensure that your plants are being properly attended to, keep these guidelines in mind.

It's also a good idea to invest in the right fertilizers to promote healthy growth.

Whether you're planting pepper or tomato seedlings, our fertilizers nourish your plants and enable them to flourish all season long.

You can shop our fertilizer collection below to get started!

 Related Posts: 

• How to Care for the Seedlings in Your Garden
• What Should You Plant in a Container Garden?