Starting seeds INSIDE for the Dye Garden!

Last night I decided to start some of my dye garden seeds inside. Above is picture of the finished product. The seeds I chose to start inside are the following:

Indigofera tinctoria"Indigo"
Helianthus "Hopi Black Dye Sunflower"
Rubia tinctorum "Madder"
Cosmos sulphureus "Cosmos"
Reseda luteola "Weld"
Tagetes erecta "Marigolds"

I chose these seeds for the rarity of finding seedlings. The Marigolds are a nice border flower so I decided to ensure a nice strong plant by planting indoors. Marigolds are dye plants but also act as a beneficial companion plant to deter pests like aphids.

First I chose a nice flat. level surface inside my house near my desk so I could check on the seedlings easily. There is an outlet nearby as well for the light, fan, and heating pad I will be using.


Items I used are:
-Watering tray
-Seed cell packs (4)
-Soil substrate (potting soil)
-60 watt "Agrosun" Dayspot Grow Bulb (Hydrofarm)
-Sheet of Plexi glass
-Seedling heating mat (Hydrofarm)

First I filled my cell packs with the soil substrate and I pre-moistened my soil substrate so the soil had a head start before watering from the bottom up after the seeds go in. I also pre-moistened my Indigofera tinctoria seeds in a wet paper towel for two days. They actually started to sprout!



Second, I set up my heating pad on the table, you can find them at various places, I found my at a local Longs Drugstore (it has an amazing garden department).

Third, I placed the watering tray over the heating pad and then placed the seed cell packs in the tray.


I then used a "number 5" knitting needle to make a small impression for the seeds. I used tweezers to grab some of the harder to handle seeds.




I labeled all my seed cell packs so I don't forget what I planted!


At last I added some water to the bottom of the tray and then covered the seed cells with the plexi.



Now I will show you what the seeds look like; they are all SO different!

WELD
SUNFLOWER -Hopi Black Dye
MARIGOLD
MADDER
COSMOS
Any Questions? Leave them in the comments section or email me at adrienne@dyegarden.com! I will check in soon with the seed update!