Indoor seed starting time is nearly upon us, and whether you are starting seeds yourself for the first time in 2021 or you have prior experience, I’m certain you’ll find my discussion with tomato growing expert Craig LeHoullier enlightening. In this encore presentation, Craig and I share tips and tricks to successfully start seeds indoors.
In this podcast, Craig speaks to choosing a seed-starting medium and containers, when and how to transplant, cluster seed starting, watering, and how to deal with leggy seedlings. For details on all of the valuable advice from this episode, including helpful photos, check out the show notes from the original airing.

Craig LeHoullier is an advocate for the cluster seed starting method.
To better prepare you for starting seeds confidently, I’m relaunching my popular joegardener Online Gardening Academy™ Master Seed Starting course later this month, starting on 1/27/2021. The comprehensive and engaging course covers everything you need to know to start seeds both indoors and out. You can sign up to be notified when enrollment begins so you don’t miss this short enrollment window that ends on 2/2/2021 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 Saturday, January 30, but “seating” is limited. Sign up at joegardener.com/seedwebinar, or pick your preferred time from the menu below and click “REGISTER.”

Knowing how to start seeds indoors opens up a world of possibilities for gardeners.
If you haven’t already listened to my conversation with Craig LeHoullier on seed starting, you can scroll to the top of the page and click the Play icon in the green bar under the page title.
What is the biggest challenge you face when you start seed 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. 2
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 095: Tomato Seed Starting Update: Innovations and Inspiration, with Craig LeHoullier
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 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. Relaunching Thursday, January 28, 2021.
joegardener Seed Basics & Beyond: 9 Things to Know Before You Start Plants From Seed
GGW Episode 402: Seed Starting 101 (including segment using soil blocks)
GGW Episode 803: Epic Tomatoes with Craig LeHoullier
“Epic Tomatoes: How to Select and Grow the Best Varieties of All Time” by Craig LeHoullier
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.