TikTok Seed Starting Hacks You'll Love For Your Garden

From purchasing fully-developed adult plants that you simply have to transfer into soil to shopping around for some still-tiny seedlings that need to be nurtured, there are plenty of different ways to begin growing plants at home. However, the cheapest (though also most difficult) option is starting them from seed. When following this approach, you would buy a dry packet of seeds and germinate them yourself, meaning that you're involved in the process each and every step of the way. Successfully pulling this off is very rewarding and a great way to save some money — as long as you don't spend loads of cash on a fancy setup. Following some simple TikTok hacks involving cheap growing containers and simple planting tricks could help you easily grow your seedlings without blowing your budget.

There are plenty of different approaches to starting plants from seed, and just about all of them require you to keep the seeds damp and warm until they eventually begin to germinate. However, there's also much more involved in growing seedlings, and if you don't take advantage of some of these simple tips, you may face low germination rates. In fact, a rate of 70% successful seeds to 30% unsuccessful is fairly common for many species, per Iowa State University. Thankfully, plenty of TikTokers have taken the time to experiment with different containers and methods, meaning that these hacks have already proven effective for some and could also help you grow as many plants as possible.

When starting seeds, most need an environment that is warm, humid, and sunny. This approach allows you to provide all three of these necessary factors without much fuss. Simply grab two paper towels, a plastic bag, and your seeds. Dampen the paper towels, then sprinkle the seeds on one and sandwich the other paper towel on top. Carefully transfer them into the plastic bag, making sure to fully zip it closed so that they stay damp, and tape the bag to a window that gets a solid amount of sunlight. Occasionally check in to make sure the paper towels don't dry out.

Here at House Digest, we love a dollar store hack, and this idea is no exception. If you're on the hunt for a cheap container to start your seeds in, consider trying out one of two options found at Dollar Tree: the Sure Fresh Reusable Cupcake Container with Lid or the Sure Fresh Deviled Egg Carrier with Lid. Both of these options are $1.25 when purchased from the store, and they're made of durable clear plastic that will keep moisture from escaping. If you want to make transporting seedlings to the garden easier, you could line them with paper cupcake liners that will decompose when planted.

Many seed starting ideas involve using some kind of plastic container, but if you're looking for a more natural approach, try using a citrus peel. Simply cut your fruit in half, scoop out the flesh, poke a hole in the bottom, and fill this cup with soil. Plant your seed and ensure you keep everything moist, either by storing it in a greenhouse or covering it with something non-permeable like a glass jar. When it begins to sprout, plant the entire thing in a larger pot. The citrus peel will deteriorate over time and even provide nutrients for the soil as the plant begins to grow.

Starting seeds is a process that often involves a lot of moisture which, if not properly controlled, can lead to the development of some unpleasant side effects. To help fend off fungus, repel gnats, and give your plants an extra level of protection when they're first getting started, consider sprinkling a bit of cinnamon into your soil. Cinnamon, while more commonly used as a spice or fragrance, actually has some powerful anti-fungal and pest-repellent properties that can seriously help out your seedlings without causing any harm to the plants.

You can easily use your toilet paper tubes to create biodegradable pots for your seedlings, but did you know that you can also use the paper itself to start quick-sprouting seeds and make planting easier? Simply roll out a few squares of toilet paper, space out your seeds in a line in the middle, and fold up the bottom third of the toilet paper to cover them. Spray everything down with some room-temperature water, and to store, roll the toilet paper back up on a cardboard roll. When it's time to plant, simply unroll the toilet paper and bury it directly in your garden.

Planting tiny seeds by hand can get tiring, especially if you frequently have pain or soreness in your hands after completing such a fiddly task. Luckily, there's an alternative method that could help out. Mix up a slurry of cornstarch and water, then heat it up while stirring continuously until you get a gel-like consistency. Let it cool, scoop it into a plastic bag, and add in your seeds. Mix them in until they're evenly distributed, cut the corner off of the bag, and then pipe this gel over your soil to easily plant the seeds evenly.

When watering your seedlings, the easiest method typically involves spraying or dripping water over them to cover the top of the soil. However, this may not ensure that all the soil gets wet, so it may not be extremely beneficial for your seedlings. Instead, try watering them from the bottom of their container. To do this, ensure your seed containers have holes, then place a tray underneath them and fill the tray with water whenever necessary to keep the soil moist.