This year we decided to try starting a selection of herbs, vegetables and flowers from seed. After reading a simple seed-starting post and spotting a small greenhouse kit at Home Depot, we felt confident to give it a go.
The greenhouse kit cost $6.99. Each packet of seeds—sage, lavender, rosemary, salvia, cilantro, tomato and basil—was $1.59. In total we spent $18.12 for supplies to start up to 72 plants plus a reusable dome. That works out to roughly 25 cents per plant, a very budget-friendly way to grow a lot from a little.
The kit is straightforward to use. We filled the tray with two quarts of warm water and let the compressed soil pellets expand. They transformed from small discs into two-inch-tall cylinders. We gently pulled back the netting on each pellet, made a small indentation, and planted one to three seeds depending on the variety. A light dusting of the rehydrated soil covered the seeds, and then we snapped the clear dome over the tray.
Place the dome in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. We set ours on top of a dresser in a guest bedroom and didn’t check it for four days. After that time we misted the pellets with a little more warm water. Within another day or two the seedlings began to appear. Whether it was simply the passage of time or the extra moisture, the results were satisfying: small green shoots pushing up through the soil.
We were delighted to see healthy cilantro leaves emerging, tomatoes beginning to push up nearby, and lush basil just out of frame. To keep track of what was planted where, we sketched a simple map on paper and labeled each row (for example: row 1 — cilantro, row 2 — tomatoes). This small step makes transplanting and care much easier as the seedlings grow.
We’ll continue to care for the seedlings until it’s time to move them outdoors. The kit’s packaging includes practical advice for acclimating young plants to outside conditions: set them outdoors during the day and bring them in at night until they adjust. With steady attention to light, water and gradual hardening off, the seedlings should transition smoothly to the garden.
Growing plants from seed is surprisingly accessible and economical. If we can do it, so can you. Consider picking up an inexpensive tray and some seed packets, or experiment with alternative methods like planting in egg cartons. If you have tips from your own seed-starting experience—on soil mixes, watering routines, light placement, or timing—share them. Practical advice from more experienced gardeners can make a big difference in helping new growers succeed.