How to Set Up an Indoor Bedding Garden

A year ago, Hometalk sent me two different kits for planting garden seeds inside. I decided to give them a try, along with another kit that might have come from Hometalk. I set up all three kits on my bathroom counter. One is square and holds 12 spaces for potting soil and seeds. One has three plastic labeled pots. The third has six peat pots.

I followed the directions for the 36 potting soil squares, planting sweet basil, radish, and spinach. In the peat cups, I planted carrot seeds after the peat cups soaked up 2 cups of warm water in an hour. In the plastic cups I planted the enclosed sweet basil, parsley, and cilantro seeds (learn more about how to grow cilantro indoors). The plastic cups came with their own plastic clear dome. The others needed plastic wrap to keep the moisture in so they germinate faster, and trays to help with drainage or root room. After the plants are an inch or two tall, I can move them to containers inside or out.

For the last few days I have been placing some gardening materials near the spa tub. I want to protect the wood garden ledge, so I chose a long plastic tablecloth as a covering. I pulled out a half bag of peat moss and the same of potting soil to have them handy. I brought in the fairy garden in the black planter and cleaned out the weeds, leaves and all the decorations. I also bought my first tomato plant. I have some other things to add, but this made a good start.

We only use our walk-in shower now, so the tub was just going to waste. I spread a beach towel on the tub floor to catch any dirt or water that spill over. It will be easier to take the towel to the porch and shake it out and wash it, than to scrub the tub if things get messy. (I can not bend or squat at all.) The faucets will be the water system, of course. I try to water with warm water because I believe it is more gentle to the plants. I use a disposable cup and plastic leftover pump spray bottle. The tablecloth will catch spills and protect the wood. The white stand had been holding toiletries for years. But I think the tomato plant needs more sun exposure. And on the bottom shelf on the left are some Christmas cactus and cuttings from another plant I am trying to root.

The tomato plant is doing great. Every plant is watered every day.

Five days from starting, all of the twelve little seed pots have sprouts, along with the planter cups with sweet basil, cilantro and parsley. In three-four days all the vegetables will be ready to plant, including the slower carrot pots.

The seedling garden is in good shape, and has only taken about a week.

Take a tour of my garden!