Gardening Philosophy
Seedling Squad takes into account the various perspectives of gardening. With our four writers hailing from different backgrounds, Seedling Squad aims to tackle gardening from the best possible angle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Seedling Squad houses a number of gardening-related questions, which you can find answers to using our knowledge database.
Gardening Terms
Our knowledge base also offers an expansive resource of gardening terms as well as a detailed description of each.
The team behind Seedling Squad
At Seedling Squad, our writers offer you various perspectives as you kick off your gardening journey. Whether you're gardening for aesthetics, food, or eyeing for everything DIY, there's always something here for you.
Meet Zuri Khumalo, a discerning writer at Seedling Squad, raised in the USA with African roots and now based in Indiana. Zuri's frequent journeys to South Africa in her youth ignited her fervor for environmental science, gardening, and sustainable living. These travels deepened her connection with nature, inspiring her to contribute to conservation efforts in her own meaningful ways. Reflecting her commitment, Zuri holds a degree in forestry, solidifying her dedication to environmental stewardship.
Meet Sarah Wilson, a 58-year-old woman with a passion for recycling and a newfound love for gardening. After moving to a house with a backyard, Sarah embarked on her gardening journey during the pandemic while confined to her home. Eager to connect with fellow garden enthusiasts, she shares the knowledge she's gained over the past three years. Sarah's passion for gardening goes beyond the plants; it has been a source of solace, helping her navigate and overcome the challenges of depression and anxiety brought on by the pandemic. Join Sarah in cultivating not just gardens but a sense of community and well-being at Seedling Squad.
Meet Ryan Johnson, a passionate writer at Seedling Squad. Originally from Atlanta, he relocated to Minnesota to care for his grandfather's farm, where he discovered the joys of farming, gardening, and the art of incorporating woodwork into gardening. Ryan's writing style is informative, encouraging, and rich in detail, aiming to guide and inspire novice gardeners with his cool demeanor and strong-willed passion for the agrarian lifestyle
Meet Anjali Sharma, our talented writer at Seedling Squad. An immigrant from India currently residing in New Jersey with her Indian husband, Anjali brings a unique perspective to gardening and cooking. Her writing style is clear, practical, and community-oriented, enriched with personal stories that make gardening relatable and enjoyable. Anjali's passion lies in raising her own vegetables in her backyard and crafting diverse dishes with them. Her journey into cooking was inspired by the challenges of adapting to American cuisine as an immigrant, finding joy in preparing her own meals.
Mission-Vision
Mission
To empower aspiring gardeners by providing accessible, beginner-friendly gardening knowledge, step-by-step guides, practical tips, and plant recommendations that inspire confidence and success in cultivating their own green spaces.
Vision
To create a thriving community of new gardeners who find joy and fulfillment in gardening, fostering a deeper connection with nature while nurturing sustainable and beautiful gardens that enrich lives and the environment.
The Content We Offer
Seeding Squad offers various content about everything gardening-related. We mostly cover topics about beginner friendly recommendations, ideas, tips, and tricks.
Need to know more?
Our knowledge base covers a wide range of gardening-related topics usually focusing on unconventional questions or first-hand experiences.
Q: Do I really need a grow light, or is my sunny window enough to grow plants indoors?
A window is fine for a low-light houseplant. However, to grow vegetables indoors, start a robust indoor herb garden, or grow any edible plants to grow successfully, you absolutely need a grow light. Windows filter usable light, and winter daylight is too short during the growing season. LED lights are the best tip to give your indoor garden a great start.
Q: My indoor vegetable seedling keeps falling over and dying at the base. What am I doing wrong?
This is "damping off," a fungal disease from overly wet potting soil and poor airflow. To prevent this, ensure your pot has a functional drainage hole, never let the seedling sit in water, and remove humidity domes the moment seeds sprout. A gentle fan nearby also helps.
Q: I live in a very small space. What are the best plants to grow that won't take over my apartment?
For a small garden, focus on vertical growth. An indoor herb garden using a windowsill herb garden planter is perfect. For edible plants, try growing micro varieties of vegetables or leafy greens in a small indoor container. Try easy to grow at home trailing plants like Pothos that hang from the ceiling to save space to grow.
1. Can I grow these plants on a balcony or indoors?
Yes — many of these thrive in containers. Basil, parsley, rosemary, lettuce, strawberries, and jalapeños all do well on a sunny balcony or in bright indoor spots. Make sure containers have drainage holes, use quality potting mix, and place plants where they get enough light for their type. A south-facing window usually works well for herbs grown indoors.
2. How often should I water my beginner garden?
Most beginner plants need consistently moist — not soggy — soil. A deep watering 2 to 3 times per week usually works better than daily shallow watering because it encourages deeper root growth. Stick your finger an inch into the soil; if it feels dry, water. Mulch helps keep soil moisture steady between waterings and reduces how often you need to water overall.
3. Which plants work best in cool seasons versus hot summers?
Cool season crops like lettuce, kale, snap peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and radish do best in spring and fall. Heat-loving plants including basil, cucumber, squash, jalapeños, strawberries, and zinnias thrive through the heat of summer. Matching the plant to the right season makes a huge difference — it is often the single biggest factor in beginner success.
Q: Can I plant the dry mung beans I bought from the grocery store?
A: Yes, you often can! Many home gardeners successfully sprout or plant whole, dried mung beans from the supermarket. However, for the highest germination rates and to ensure the seeds haven't been heat-treated or irradiated (which prevents sprouting), it is best to purchase organic mung beans or seeds specifically packaged for planting and sprouting.
Q: Do mung bean plants need a trellis or support to grow?
A: No. Unlike pole beans that require a tall trellis to climb, mung beans are "bush beans." They grow into upright, self-supporting, bushy plants that typically reach between 24 and 36 inches tall.
Q: Why did my homegrown mung bean sprouts turn green and bitter?
A: Your sprouts were likely exposed to light. When sprouting beans are exposed to sunlight, they begin to produce chlorophyll, which turns the leaves green and creates a bitter taste. To keep your sprouts white, sweet, and crisp, make sure you store your sprouting jar in a completely dark place, like inside a kitchen cabinet, or cover it with a thick, dark towel.
Q1: What is a hanging garden vs. a regular garden?
Hanging gardens grow vertically—suspended from ceilings, walls, or railings—rather than spreading out in ground-level beds. This space-saving design makes them perfect for small areas like apartments and balconies.
Q2: Are hanging gardens good for beginners?
Absolutely. Setups like hanging baskets are affordable and low-maintenance. When paired with forgiving plants like pothos or succulents, they are an incredibly easy way to start gardening.
Q3: Can I build one in a rental without damaging walls?
Yes! There are plenty of no-drill options. You can use clip-on balcony railing planters, freestanding clothing racks, heavy-duty Command hooks, or hang lightweight plants from curtain and tension rods.