starter guide blog4

Seed Starting Basics: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing from Scratch

There’s something magical about starting a plant from seed — watching it sprout, grow, and eventually feed or beautify your space. In Saudi Arabia, where seasons are unique, seed starting allows you to get a head start on cool-weather crops and control your growing environment with precision.

1. Choose the Right Seeds

Start by planning your garden. Do you want vegetables, herbs, or flowers? How much space do you have — and how much sun does it get? Most vegetables need full sun (6+ hours daily). Review the planting instructions on each Botanvia seed packet — some crops like squash and cucumbers are better direct sown, while tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers benefit from an indoor head start.

2. What You’ll Need

• Seed trays or fiber pots: Ideal for organizing seedlings and reducing transplant shock.
• Seed starting mix: Use a light, soil-less medium like coconut coir, not dense garden soil.
• Plastic dome cover: Traps humidity to help seeds germinate evenly.
• Drip tray: Keeps water available from the bottom so roots grow stronger.
• Heat mat (optional): Useful for faster germination in cooler rooms.
• Grow lights: If you don’t have a sunny window, use LEDs to keep seedlings strong.
• Labels: Trust us — label everything. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. When to Start Seeds in KSA

Most Saudi regions plant between September and April. If you’re starting indoors, count backward 4–8 weeks from your intended outdoor transplant date. For example, if you want to move seedlings outdoors in september, start seeds in mid-July.

Check the “days to transplant” section on each Botanvia seed packet to calculate your ideal start date.

4. How to Germinate Seeds

Moisten your seed mix first — not soggy, just damp. Fill trays, plant 1–2 seeds per cell (follow packet depth guidelines), and gently press them in. Some seeds need light to germinate and should remain uncovered.

Cover with a humidity dome or plastic until you see sprouts, then remove to allow airflow. Keep soil moist but not soaked. A heat mat can help speed germination, especially for tomatoes and peppers.

5. Thinning & Transplanting

When two seeds sprout in the same cell, snip the weaker one — don’t pull it, or you might damage the roots. As seedlings grow, they may outgrow their cells. Move them into slightly larger pots with the same mix to continue developing.

6. Hardening Off

Before moving seedlings outdoors, help them adjust gradually. Place them outside for a few hours daily in a shaded area, increasing exposure to sun and wind over 7–10 days. This prevents transplant shock.

Once hardened, transplant your plants into raised beds, pots, or your prepared garden space. Keep the soil moist and monitor new growth in the first few days.

Ready to start? Explore Botanvia’s curated collection of seed starting tools and locally-suited varieties. Whether you’re growing herbs on a windowsill or vegetables in raised beds — it all starts with one seed.

Green Starts Here.™