My first attempt at starting seeds indoors was a disaster. I spent $80 on a grow light setup, heating mats, seed trays — the whole thing. Half the seeds never sprouted. The ones that did were tall, thin, and flopped over the day I transplanted them. They were “leggy,” a gardener friend told me. I had given them too much heat and not enough light.

My second attempt cost $6 and produced sturdy, healthy plants. Here is what changed.

You Do Not Need Grow Lights

A bright south-facing windowsill works for most seedlings. If you do not have a south window, a regular LED shop light from the hardware store — the kind that costs $15 — hung two inches above the seedlings works just as well as a $60 “grow light.” The key is keeping the light very close so seedlings do not stretch toward it.

Egg Cartons Are Perfect Starter Pots

Cardboard egg cartons are biodegradable, already have drainage if you poke a small hole in each cup, and cost nothing. Fill each cup with seed-starting mix — not garden soil, which is too heavy and may carry diseases. Plant your seeds, water gently, and place the whole carton on a tray to catch drips.

When it is time to transplant, you can cut the individual cups apart and plant them directly in the ground. The cardboard breaks down.

Plastic Dome = Humidity Control

Seeds need consistent moisture to germinate. Cover your egg carton or seed tray with a clear plastic bag or plastic wrap to create a mini greenhouse. Remove the cover once sprouts appear to prevent mold. A takeout container with a clear lid works perfectly for this.

Bottom Watering Prevents Damping Off

Damping off is a fungal disease that kills seedlings overnight. It happens when the soil surface stays too wet. Water from the bottom by setting your seed tray in a shallow pan of water and letting the soil absorb moisture upward. The surface stays dry, and the roots stay hydrated.