Many factors affect whether seeds started indoors will grow to become seedlings that are strong and healthy enough to transition into the garden, survive and prosper. On this week’s encore episode, John Porter of The Garden Professors shares his non-negotiables for success when seed starting.
John is currently the urban agriculture program coordinator for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Omaha, Nebraska. He is also a contributor to The Garden Professors, a blog that advances the science behind gardening, and a host of Nebraska public television’s “Backyard Farmer.”

Garden Professor and Nebraska Extension Educator John Porter shares his seed starting expertise.
In this podcast, John explains what to know before buying seeds and grow lights, his best seed-starting and transplanting practices, how to defend seedlings against plant disease, and how to use compost safely with seedlings. For in-depth details on all of John’s tips from this episode, check out the show notes from the original airing.
It is an exciting time here as our team relaunches my popular joegardener Online Gardening Academy™ Master Seed Starting course. The comprehensive and engaging course covers everything you need to know to start seeds both indoors and out. You can sign up for updates so you don’t miss the short enrollment window that ends on February 2, 2021, at midnight.
In addition to the relaunch of Master Seed Starting, I’m offering the free webinar Seed Basics & Beyond: 9 Things to Know Before You Start Plants From Seed. There are both morning and afternoon opportunities to join a session of this live program, from Thursday, January 28, to Monday, February 1, 2021, but “seating” is limited. Sign up at joegardener.com/seedwebinar, or pick your preferred time from the menu below and click “REGISTER.”

There’s a lot to know when it comes to starting seeds indoors. One of the most important aspects of this process is making sure seedlings are ready to transition into the garden.
If you are looking for more information on how to confidently make your own compost — as promised in this podcast episode — you can download my free resource, The Complete Guide to Home Composting. Compost is one of the best amendments for improving garden soil, and the great thing about it is you can make it for free while reducing your household’s impact on the environment. This guide includes everything you need to know to start composting effectively.
If you haven’t already listened to my conversation with John Porter on seed starting non-negotiables, you can scroll to the top of the page and click the Play icon in the green bar under the page title.

Seedlings need lots of light to produce strong healthy stems and leaves. Lighting can be the most expensive part of starting seeds indoors, but it doesn’t have to be. You can find success in the simplicity of a basic, 40-watt shop light.
What solutions have you found to common problems when starting seeds indoors? Let us know in the comments below.
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Seed Basics & Beyond: 9 Things to Know Before You Start Plants From Seed
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Links & Resources
Some product links in this guide are affiliate links. See full disclosure below.
Episode 003: Epic Tomato Growing with Craig LeHoullier
Episode 004: Heirloom Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier
Episode 005: What’s Wrong with my Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier
Episode 033: Savvy Seed Catalog Shopping with Craig LeHoullier
Episode 037: Starting Seeds Indoors: The Non-Negotiables for Success, Pt. 1
Episode 038: How to Start Seeds Indoors: The Non-Negotiables for Success, Pt.
Episode 039: How to Start Seeds Indoors: Digging Deeper, Pt. 3
Episode 047: Tomato Seedling Mistakes with Craig LeHoullier
Episode 094: How to Start and Care for Seedlings Indoors: My Steps for Success
Episode 130: Winter Sowing: A Simple Way To Successfully Start Seeds Outdoors
joegardenerTV YouTube: How to Know if Seeds Are Still Good
joegardenerTV YouTube: Seed Germination – Easy Tricks for More Success
joegardener free resource: “The Complete Guide to Home Composting”
joegardener Online Gardening Academy™: Three popular courses on gardening fundamentals; managing pests, diseases & weeds; and seed starting.
joegardener Online Gardening Academy Master Seed Starting: Everything you need to know to start your own plants from seed — indoors and out. Enrollment closes Monday, February 2, 2021, at midnight!
GGW Episode 402: Seed Starting 101
“Backyard Farmer” with John Porter
Greenhouse Megastore – Our podcast episode sponsor and Brand Partner of joegardener.com – Enter code JOEGARDENER for 10% off your order
Wild Alaskan Seafood Box – Our podcast episode sponsor and Brand Partner of joegardener.com – Enter code JOE at checkout for two special bonuses just for our podcast listeners – 2 pounds of Dungeness crab with your first order and free scallops for the life of your subscription.
High Mowing Organic Seeds – Our podcast episode sponsor and Brand Partner of joegardener.com – Enter code JGSEEDS for 10% off orders of $50 or more
Disclosure: Some product links in this guide are affiliate links, which means we would get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the prices of these resources have been increased to compensate us. None of the items included in this list have any bearing on any compensation being an influencing factor on their inclusion here. The selection of all items featured in this post and podcast were based solely on merit and in no way influenced by any affiliate or financial incentive, or contractual relationship. At the time of this writing, Joe Lamp’l has professional relationships with the following companies who may have products included in this post and podcast: Rain Bird, Corona Tools, Milorganite, Soil3, Exmark, Greenhouse Megastore, High Mowing Organic Seeds, and Wild Alaskan Seafood Box. These companies are either Brand Partners of joegardener.com and/or advertise on our website. However, we receive no additional compensation from the sales or promotion of their product through this guide. The inclusion of any products mentioned within this post is entirely independent and exclusive of any relationship.
0 Responses to “193-Digging Deeper into Seed Starting with Garden Professor John Porter-Encore Presentation”
I’ve looked in both my junk and inbox emails and I can’t find when I signed up for the free webinar. It is either this afternoon or tomorrow afternoon (3pm). Help! If need be I can sign up for Monday afternoon’s offering.Thanks!
Shalom