Yesterday, I embarked on a new gardening journey by planting my first seeds indoors! For years, I’ve relied on purchasing small plants in May to transplant outside. This year, however, I decided to give seed starting a go—and I’m excited to share my experience with you!

I started with 8 Bush Tomato “Balcony” and 8 Chilli Pepper “Koral” seeds. I picked up a small “pareniště” (a type of mini greenhouse) and some rašelinové kapsle (peat pellets), which expand when watered. This clever tool makes it easier to manage seed germination and ensures that the roots are well cared for.

I placed the little setup on my south-facing window, which gets plenty of sunlight throughout the day. It’s the perfect spot for my new seedlings to get off to a strong start. Since I spend most weekdays in Prague, I’ll be able to take care of them regularly, watering and eventually harvesting from my balcony garden. It’s a new venture that feels incredibly rewarding.

Why start seeds indoors?

For the first time, I’m experimenting with growing my own plants from scratch, instead of relying on store-bought seedlings. By starting the seeds indoors, I can give them a head start before the warm weather arrives, ensuring that they have strong roots and healthy growth when it’s time to transplant them outdoors.

These Bush Tomatoes and Chilli Peppers will thrive in containers on my balcony in Prague, where I can easily care for them and track their progress. I can’t wait to see how they turn out! I plan to expand my garden later on by starting more seedlings, including the ones for our garden at the house we purchased, about an hour away from Prague. It will be such a treat to have a homegrown bounty when we spend our weekends there.

What’s Next for My Garden?

As I watch my tomato and chilli pepper seeds sprout, I’m already thinking about the next steps. When the time comes, I’ll start seedlings for other plants and flowers to enrich my balcony and garden at the house. Each year is a new opportunity to experiment, learn, and grow.

I hope you find inspiration in my gardening journey, and maybe you’ll try starting your own seeds indoors too! Have you ever planted your own vegetables or herbs? I’d love to hear about your gardening experiences in the comments.

Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to check out my other post:

• Starting My Garden: The First Seeds of the Year

Thanks for reading and happy gardening! 🌱