How to Start Seeds Indoors in the Pacific Northwest

Starting seeds indoors sounds complicated.

Heat mats. Grow lights. Domes. Labels. Charts.

But here’s the truth:

You only need a few simple things — and a little patience — to grow strong seedlings in a Pacific Northwest home.

Let’s walk through it step by step.

“You don’t need a greenhouse. You need light, patience, and a little consistency.”

Step 1: What You Actually Need (Not the Fancy Stuff)

Basic Seed Starting Supplies

You need:

• Seed starting mix (not garden soil)

• Containers (cell trays, small pots, or even yogurt cups with holes)

• Seeds

• Light

• Water

• Labels (trust me)

That’s it.

PNW Tip:

Because our late winter light is weak and gray, a simple grow light makes a huge difference.

You can try a bright south-facing window — but expect leggy seedlings without supplemental light.

Step 2: Choosing the Right Soil (This Is Important)

Do not use garden soil.

Use seed starting mix — it’s lighter, drains well, and reduces disease risk.

Look for:

• Fine texture

• No big chunks of bark

• Good drainage

Avoid:

• Heavy compost

• Potting soil with large wood chips

• Anything labeled “moisture control”

Step 3: When to Start Seeds (In the PNW)

In western Washington (Zone 8a-ish), most seeds are started:

• 6–8 weeks before last frost

• Typically February–April

For exact timing, see:

• When to Start Seeds in Washington State

• PNW Frost Dates Guide

Step 4: How to Plant the Seeds

Step 5: Light — The Most Common Mistake

This is where most beginners struggle.

Seedlings need:

• 12–16 hours of bright light daily

• Light positioned 2–3 inches above plants

• Lights raised as plants grow

Without enough light:

• They stretch

• They flop

• They fail

“Leggy seedlings usually need more light — not more water.”

PNW Reality:

March light here is not Texas light.

Don’t feel bad about using a simple LED shop light.

Step 6: Watering (The Gentle Way)

Keep soil:

• Evenly moist

• Never soggy

• Never bone dry

Bottom watering works beautifully:

Place trays in shallow water and let them absorb from below.

This reduces mold and fungus gnats — common in damp PNW homes.

“Damp like a wrung-out sponge — never soggy, never dry.”

Step 7: Hardening Off (Do Not Skip This)

Before transplanting outdoors:

Expose seedlings gradually to:

• Outdoor light

• Wind

• Temperature swings

Start with:

1 hour outside

Increase daily for 7–10 days

Skipping this step = shocked, sad plants.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Starting too early

• Not enough light

• Overwatering

• Forgetting labels

• Letting seedlings dry out once

Prefer a Printable Version?

Starting seeds is simple — but it’s easy to forget a step.

Download the Odd Garden Seed Starting Checklist (Pacific Northwest Edition)(PDF) and keep it beside your trays this spring.

What’s Easy to Start Indoors in the PNW?

Great beginner seeds:

• Tomatoes

• Peppers

• Lettuce

• Kale

• Calendula

• Basil

“Some seeds will fail. That’s not failure — that’s gardening.”

Gentle Encouragement

Some seeds will fail.

That’s normal.

Seed starting is not about perfection — it’s about learning your light, your timing, your rhythm.

The Pacific Northwest rewards patience.