Looking for a few simple and easy ways to give your slow growing indoor seedlings a little boost before planting day?
Starting vegetables and flowers from seed indoors can certainly be very fun and exciting. Watching those first seeds pop through the soil always brings a smile to any gardeners face – but the real challenge comes in the weeks after seedlings first sprout.
All too often, seedlings just don’t seem to take off. They either stay small or grow spindly and awkward – not seeming to grow much at all after that first burst of life. And when that happens – so does the worry of having your plants be ready by the time planting day comes!
The good news is that there is a very simple solution – and that is to give them the right kind of nourishment at just the right time to boost their growth. The even better news is that you won’t believe how easy it is to do!
How To Boost Indoor Seedlings – Get Your Transplants Growing Fast!
One of the best ways to get your seedlings growing fast is with a dose of a little power. Young seedlings often begin to run out of nutrients in their seed-starting soil after the first three to four weeks. If they don’t get more fuel, their growth can slow down or stop altogether.
But with a small and gentle dose of fertilizer, you can give them a healthy push to grow faster and stronger. One thing is for sure, it’s important not to rush things. Seedlings should be at least two weeks old before receiving any type of fertilizer.
Before that point, their roots are still developing, and giving them extra nutrients too early can actually harm them. But once they hit that two-week mark, they’re ready for a little help – and the right kind of fertilizer can make a big difference in their size and health.
Why Liquid Fertilizers Work Best To Boost Indoor Seedlings
For young plants, liquid fertilizers are ideal. Because the nutrients are dissolved in water, they’re easier for small roots to absorb. Not only that, some of the nutrients can also be taken in through the leaves when the liquid is misted or sprayed on the plant.
Whether you’re watering the soil directly or spraying the leaves, liquid fertilizers work quickly to provide energy, similar to how the plants take up water. This makes liquid feeding a fast and efficient way to supply nutrients. As for what to use – there are several great options:
Compost Tea – The Natural Growth Booster
One of the easiest and most effective ways to give a boost to indoor seedlings is with compost tea. Compost tea is simply made by soaking finished compost in water for a few days. The water draws out gentle, natural nutrients that are perfect for delicate seedlings.
To make it, combine about two cups of compost with a gallon of water in a bucket or container. Stir or shake it a couple of times each day, and after two or three days, strain the liquid into another container. Now your compost tea is ready to go. See: How To Make Compost Tea With Ease – And How To Use It Like A Pro!
You can use it to water the soil around the base of the seedlings or mist the leaves if the plants are still small. There’s no need to dilute compost tea, it’s naturally mild and safe to use every seven to ten days on seedlings.
Worm Casting Tea – Another Gentle Option
Worm castings, which are the natural by-product of earthworms, also make a fantastic liquid fertilizer. This gentle but powerful tea is made in a similar way to compost tea. Use about a quarter to a half cup of worm castings in a gallon of water. Let the mixture sit for two or three days, stirring it once or twice daily to release the nutrients.
Once steeped, strain out the solids and use the liquid to feed your seedlings. It’s gentle, won’t burn the roots, and like compost tea, it doesn’t need to be watered down. Apply it every seven to ten days for best results. Affiliate Link: 100% Pure Organic Worm Castings Fertilizer
Traditional Commercial Liquid Fertilizer To Boost Indoor Seedlings
If you don’t have access to compost or worm castings, you can also use commercial organic liquid fertilizers instead. These products can be very effective as well – but they are often much stronger and need to be diluted for young seedlings.
It’s important not to follow the full-strength mixing directions on the label. For seedlings, mix the fertilizer to about one-quarter to one-fifth of the recommended strength. This will keep your plants from getting overwhelmed or damaged by too much nutrition at once. Affiliate Link: Organic Nutrient Boost 4-3-3 NPK
With diluted fertilizer, you can stick to the same feeding schedule as compost or worm casting tea – about once every 7 to 10 days. This gives the plants a steady and gentle supply of nutrients, helping them build strong roots and healthy leaves before planting day.
Fertilizing After Planting
With a few doses of fertilizer, your seedlings will be more than ready for the outdoors. Remember that it is important to take time to harden off your plants before putting them in your raised beds or garden. This gives the young transplants time to adjust to the outdoors.
It’s also important to allow the plants to adjust to the soil before giving them any more fertilizer. Allow newly planted transplants at least ten to fourteen days of starter growth before giving them a dose of energy again.
This little break allows the plant’s roots time to settle in and begin to grow in their new surroundings. For the first dose, it’s best to still keep it a bit diluted if you are using a commercial liquid fertilizer. Once again, you can use worm casting or compost tea without worry at full strength.
Here’s to giving a boost to your indoor seedlings – and getting a head start on a healthy, productive garden! Happy Gardening – Jim & Mary.
Old World Garden Farms
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing gardening, DIY and recipe articles and books for over 15 years from their 46 acre Ohio farm. The two are frequent speakers on all things gardening and love to travel in their spare time.
As always, feel free to email us at thefarm@owgarden.com with comments, questions, or to simply say hello! You can sign up for our free email list in the subscribe now box in the middle of this article. Follow us on Facebook here : OWG Facebook. This article may contain affiliate links.