I'm starting a garden from seeds indoors for the first time instead of buying plants from the nursery. I've followed the packet instructions carefully, but I'm worried that my seedlings won't be ready to transplant in time. For instance, my broccoli seedlings are only 2-3 inches tall and just starting to get their second set of true leaves. Is this typical for seeds started indoors? I've been using grow lights and diluted fertilizer, and I feel like I should've started them 3-4 weeks earlier. Any advice?
3 Answers
If your seedlings have their second set of true leaves now, they should reach a good size in the next couple of weeks! I've noticed my plants start growing faster once their roots are more established. Just make sure they're not in pots that are too small for them; getting root-bound can really slow their growth.
It's totally normal for indoor seedlings to take some time, especially if you're using grow lights. Sometimes it's actually better to transplant them while they're still a bit small rather than letting them get root-bound in their pots. Keep track of your planting and transplanting dates each year, and you'll figure out the timing better as you go along! Once they're in the ground and the weather's right, they should bounce back quickly.
How are they looking otherwise?
Pretty good! They sprouted quickly and have been growing well, just not as fast as I hoped ?