Sometimes when you're thinking about seeds it can be overwhelming. So many choices! Which seeds should I buy? And what gear do I need to start them? Am I doing it wrong??

It's March, and it's time to be starting seeds, or at least thinking about it. And *also* youth soccer is getting going again, and the dishes need to be done, and someone has to cook dinner, and argh! April 15 and taxes are right around the corner, and are all your summer camp/travel/childcare plans sorted out yet? and, right, you still have to go to work every day, and, and, and . . .

Sometimes you need the easiest possible thing.

Especially if you're the kind of person that needs to build momentum to get going. Having the positive feedback of a few small wins makes the next steps feel more achievable.

Here are a few ideas for very easy seed starting:

🌱 Peas

Peas like cool weather, and can even germinate in soil as cold as 40 degrees. Also - and this is what makes them so easy - they grow best when you just poke them into the ground. No seed pots, grow lights, or transplanting required.

As much as I like eating shelled peas, snow peas and snap peas are even easier because you just pick and eat them straight from the vine. No extra processing required, they're tasty cooked or raw.

You can even find "dwarf" or "bush" varieties that don't require any kind of supports or trellising to grow.

🌱 Microgreens

Granted, microgreens aren't part of the process of outdoor growing and fantasy summer harvests from the garden. However, they're very, very easy, and don't require any extra grow lights. We sell a microgreen kit that has everything you need to be eating microgreens a week after the box arrives at your house.

(We also have a discounted factory second microgreen kit - a cosmetically challenged pot, but guaranteed to work perfectly, and includes the same seeds and soil as the regular kits.)

🌼 Calendula

I usually start my calendula in seed pots because the success rate is higher, and I already have the set-up going. But it's not necessary. Calendula seeds are big and tough and sprout easily when they're planted in the ground, as long as they don't dry out. They're also very cold hardy and frost tolerant. In climates with a hot summer, calendula is best in the cooler weather of spring and fall.

Calendula is the classic skin herb, with the dried flowers being used for skin oils and salves. In fact, I'm using my homemade calendula chapstick right now!

(Calendula is one of three herb seeds included in our herb starter kit, btw)

🌱 Fantasy gardening and planning

If your energy level is more along the lines of, "let me think about this and make lists right now," planning is one of the absolute best things you can do to ensure the success of your seed starting.

I've got lots of resources to help you with planning!

Here's the most basic one: A printable planner to help you decide which seeds to start and when to sow them. I made this because most seed and plant information tells you how many days from transplant to harvest, but *not* from sowing to transplant. How are you supposed to know when to start the seeds if you don't know how long it will take the seedlings to be ready to transplant?? This planner has sowing to transplant times for all common vegetable types, plus detailed instructions for how to use it.

Here's our longer (but not that long!) Orta Guide to Starting Seeds. All the basics you need to know (including how to find economical grow lights that actually work), and nothing else because [waves hands around] you've got a lot going on!

If you prefer video, and want a deeper dive into starting seeds, here is the recording of a seed starting webinar I taught last month.

Use the Passcode: 1M4#imHq to access the video.

What is your easiest seed starting win? I'd love to know! Just hit reply and tell me about it! If I get a bunch of responses, I'll collect and share them. :)

Next week we'll start talking about tomatoes. More effort from seed, for sure, but also a LOT more reward.

For now, though, happy easy Seedurday,

Anne

P.S. Is there anything I can help you with? Any particular seed-starting questions? Just hit reply and ask away!

When you’re ready, here are some more ways I can help you grow a thriving garden from seed:

1. Plan your seed-starting schedule with our ​free printable planner.​

2. Download the free ​Orta Seed Starting Handbook with all the basics you need to succeed with seeds.​

3. Take the guesswork out of watering with Orta Self-Watering Pots. (Find discounted factory seconds here!)

4. Join the Orta Seed Club to have 5 hand-picked, unusual & high-yielding varieties delivered to you every season.

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