The Best Tips For Starting Seeds Indoors With Grow Lights

Starting seeds indoors with grow lights for beginners can be tricky. It took me a few years of practicing my seed starting techniques before I was able to get consistent germination and healthy seedlings. It’s a good idea for the home gardener to get a head start on the season by starting seeds indoors with grow lights.

While there are plenty of seed starting supplies on the market you don’t need expensive supplies to get started. All you need are some seeds, small containers with drainage holes, a seed trays, seed starting mix, and a light source such as a south facing window or grow lights. Heat mats can also be beneficial but you can get away without them.

7 Steps to Starting seeds indoors with grow lights

1.Gather Supplies: Seeds, Seed starting pots, plastic trays (1020 seedling tray), plant markers, seed starting mix, spray bottle. You’ll also want plans for your light source figured out before you need it.

2. Set up your growing area and fill pots with pre-moistened seed starting mix.

3. Sow your indoor seed. Valuable information will be on the back of your seed packet such as, growing zone, planting date, planting depth, seed spacing, row spacing, and days to maturity.

4. After you sow seeds be sure to label your containers. Trust me on this one.

5. For best results, keep seeds and seed starting soil moist and warm while you are waiting for germination. When starting seeds indoors with grow lights some seeds such as lettuce, carrots, and pepper seeds germinate better using bright light from the time they are sowed. Most seeds are fine with no supplemental light until germination.

6. Once you have gone from seed to seedling be sure to provide your young seedlings with adequate light with a full spectrum grow light, fluorescent lights, or a bright south-facing window. Be sure to pay attention to the light height and the light schedule so your young seedlings get off to a good start.

7. Pot up your seedlings or transplant into the garden once you have hardened them off.

Get a Head Start on Seed-Starting Season

Now that you know the basics of starting seeds indoors with grow lights, you can find more details and pro tips on using grow lights and germinating seeds below. You can download The Ultimate Seed Starting Guide here.

The Best Grow Lights for the Home Gardener

There are many options when choosing the best grow lights. I prefer to use a full spectrum grow light, which is a combination of red wavelengths and blue light. These full-spectrum bulbs provide the correct light intensity your young seedlings need.

You can also use inexpensive fluorescent lights with fluorescent tubes. On the other hand, you may get enough light by using a sunny windowsill on a south-facing window. The best option for a small space is a shelving unit, which you can hang the grow lights from. Do what works for your space and budget.

Seed-Starting Season & Choosing the Best Seeds

As seed-starting season approaches, you’ll want to make a good choice for seed germination. You will want to consider your growing zone, the growing season, and your preferences. When you are choosing your seeds for your garden, you’ll be able to choose from two categories.

Hybrid seeds, which are produced by cross pollinating two different varieties for disease resistance or increased production or heirloom seeds that have been passed down through generations and are best for saving your own seed. I prefer to buy at my local hardware store. Shopping local to your area, you will find varieties that are better suited for your growing zone. .

Choosing what to grow in your garden will also depend on your first and last frost date or your growing zone. Simply search your frost dates according to your zip code and work backwards using the days to maturity number. For example, my first frost is estimated to be November 15th. I’d like to have fall cucumbers, which are 55 days to maturity. I’ll count backwards 55 days on the calendar starting at November 15th.

The Best Choice for Seed Starting Supplies

You’ll need seeds suited for your growing zone, seed starting trays, seed pots, seed starting mix, a spray bottle, and labels. Seed trays, also called a 1020 seedling tray, are used to hold your seed pots and for bottom watering your seedlings. Don’t skip these!

All of the seed trays and seed pots can be found relatively cheap if you want to keep your costs low but will likely be single use only, as the plastic they are made from is thin and will crack. A great option for free seed pots are using things like egg cartons, although you may find you have to pot up or transplant quickly.

If you are serious about starting seeds and know you’ll continue, there are high quality seed starting supplies you can purchase from online gardening stores if you’d like to reduce the single use plastic items. This seed-starting season, I upgraded my seed starting supplies and I’m so happy with my purchase!

Best Seed Starting Mix

Choosing the right seed starting soil for healthy plants depends on your preferences. Seed starting mix is readily available in the garden center or local hardware store. It is a fine, fluffy mixture that is great for germination and the young root system.

However, they do not contain any nutrients so you’ll have to have the best fertilizer and a fertilizing schedule for your tender seedlings or they will quickly yellow and die. This is where seed starting trays, also called 1020 plastic trays, are useful. It’s easy to add a little liquid fertilizer, like fish emulsion, to the water in your plastic trays.

You can also use a potting mix to start your seeds, which usually has some nutrients already added but does not have that fine texture that seed starting mix does. In this case, running it through a sifter does the trick.

DIY Seed Starting Mix

The home gardener may even want to make their own seed starting mix to save money. Homemade seed starting mix can be made by combining 4 parts compost, 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite, and two parts peat moss. Add all the ingredients into a tub, mixing and pre moistening as you go.

The Best Way for the Home Gardener to Sow Seeds

Fill your containers with pre-moistened, high quality seed starting mix. Follow the seed packet instructions for the appropriate depth and spacing for each type of seed. Generally, you’ll make small holes in the soil, drop in the seeds, and cover them with a thin layer of soil.

Planting seeds at the right depth will give you the best germination and help them grow from seed to seedling. Planting depth will vary for each seed. That information can be found on the seed packet but a general rule of thumb is to sow seeds at a depth of two times the width. For example, if a seed is ¼ inch wide then you would sow that seed ½ inch deep.

Starting Seeds & Watering

Always start with pre-moistened soil. Checking for dampness of your soil is a good guide to let you know when to water your seeds. Use a spray bottle to mist the surface of the soil after planting. This ensures even moisture distribution without disturbing the seeds.

You can also go ahead and add water to your trays to start bottom watering. This helps keep your seeds and soil from drying out. Water the soil gently, avoiding over-watering that can lead to rot. Always check for dampness before watering.

Cover and Maintain Your Seeds

Cover your containers with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to create a greenhouse-like environment that retains moisture and warmth. Place them in a warm spot with indirect light. Check the moisture regularly and mist as needed. I recommend putting your seedlings in an area that you pass through often so you don’t forget about them.

Starting Seeds Indoors with Grow Lights

Once you have seed germination, you will need to be sure they get sufficient light. You can put them in a south-facing window or if you are starting seeds indoors with grow lights, its time to get your light system turned on. To avoid your young seedlings stretching for the light and becoming leggy seedlings, light height is important.

For sufficient light, be sure to give even, direct sun light in a sunny windowsill. If you are starting seeds indoors with grow lights, hang the grow light within an inch of the tops of the seedlings for the correct amount of light. Light schedule is also important. You’ll want to mimic the hours of day and night with the light schedule.

If multiple seedlings emerge from the same spot, gently thin seedlings out using tiny scissors, being careful not to disturb the root system, leaving only the strongest one. This prevents overcrowding and ensures healthy growth.

Transplanting Young Seedings

As the seedlings grow and develop their first true leaves (different from the initial seed leaves), you can transplant young plants into a larger container with more space. Be sure to have more soil potting mix ready! This step helps them develop strong root systems. Leaving them in a container too small will lead to less vigorous growth when they are transplanted.

Hardening Off Seedlings

Before planting seedlings outdoors, they need to be gradually acclimated to the outdoor garden environment. This process, called “hardening off,” involves exposing them to increasing periods of sunlight, wind, and temperature variations over the course of a week or so. It is vital to their success transitioning into the garden. Don’t skip this step!

Once in the garden, look out for pests and be ready with organic pest control methods.

Transplanting Seedlings Into the Garden

Once your young plants are hardened off, and the outdoor temperatures are appropriate for the plants you’re growing, transplant them into your garden beds or containers. You can prepare the area by adding several layers of compost to the soil. Be sure your transplants have been watered before planting. Also be sure that the area you are putting them into has also been watered prior to planting. Follow spacing recommendations and water thoroughly after planting.

You can join us for Episode 60, on the American FarmSteadHers Podcast, to hear us chat all about starting seeds for your garden.

Here’s a video on how I started my seeds a few years ago with single use, inexpensive seed starting supplies.

Happy Homesteading & Seed Starting,

Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides!

7 Steps to Starting seeds indoors with grow lights

2. Set up your growing area and fill pots with pre-moistened seed starting mix.

3. Sow your indoor seed. Valuable information will be on the back of your seed packet such as, growing zone, planting date, planting depth, seed spacing, row spacing, and days to maturity.

4. After you sow seeds be sure to label your containers. Trust me on this one.

7. Pot up your seedlings or transplant into the garden once you have hardened them off.

Get a Head Start on Seed-Starting Season

The Best Grow Lights for the Home Gardener

Seed-Starting Season & Choosing the Best Seeds

The Best Choice for Seed Starting Supplies

Several years ago before I upgraded my seed starting supplies, I often used cheaper, single use seed starting supplies. You may find that you want to do this as well until you get consistent germination and healthy seedlings.{“type”:”elementor”,”siteurl”:”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/wp-json/”,”elements”:[{“id”:”123e57b0″,”elType”:”widget”,”isInner”:false,”isLocked”:false,”settings”:{“editor”:”<p id=\”isPasted\”><strong>Starting seeds indoors with grow lights</strong> for beginners can be tricky. It took me a few years of practicing my seed starting techniques before I was able to get consistent germination and healthy seedlings. It’s a good idea for the home gardener to get a head start on the season by starting seeds indoors with grow lights.</p>\n<p><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/d4c46087-3d5e-4cef-b14e-fe6c0f0b9a80\” alt=\”Starting seeds indoors with grow lights\” width=\”300\” height=\”251\”></p>\n<p>While there are plenty of seed starting supplies on the market you don’t need expensive supplies  to get started.  All you need are some seeds, small containers with drainage holes, a seed trays, seed starting mix, and a light source such as a south facing window or grow lights. Heat mats can also be beneficial but you can get away without them. </p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/52b4d124-ae7a-413d-8cdf-74c9659a86be\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h2>7 Steps to Starting seeds indoors with grow lights</h2>\n<p>1.Gather Supplies: Seeds, Seed starting pots, plastic trays (1020 seedling tray), plant markers, seed starting mix, spray bottle. You’ll also want plans for your light source figured out before you need it. </p>\n<p>2. Set up your growing area and fill pots with pre-moistened seed starting mix.</p>\n<p>3. Sow your indoor seed. Valuable information will be on the back of your seed packet such as, growing zone, planting date, planting depth, seed spacing, row spacing, and days to maturity. </p>\n<p>4. After you sow seeds be sure to label your containers. Trust me on this one. </p>\n<p>5. For best results, keep seeds and seed starting soil moist and warm while you are waiting for germination. When starting seeds indoors with grow lights some seeds such as lettuce, carrots, and pepper seeds germinate better using bright light from the time they are sowed. Most seeds are fine with no supplemental light until germination.</p>\n<p>6. Once you have gone from seed to seedling be sure to provide your young seedlings with adequate light with a<a href=\”https://www.homedepot.com/p/Feit-Electric-24-in-19-Watt-White-LED-3-Adjustable-Spectrum-Linkable-Plant-Grow-Light-Fixture-White-Adjustable-Light-GLP24ADJS-19W-LED/321742661\” target=\”_blank\” rel=\”noopener\”> <b><u>full spectrum grow light</u></b></a>, fluorescent lights, or a bright south-facing window. Be sure to pay attention to the light height and the light schedule so your young seedlings get off to a good start.</p>\n<p>7. Pot up your seedlings or transplant into the garden once you have hardened them off. </p>\n<p>Get a Head Start on Seed-Starting Season</p>\n<p>Now that you know the basics of starting seeds indoors with grow lights, you can find more details and pro tips on using grow lights and germinating seeds below. You can download <strong><a href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/shop/the-ultimate-seed-starting-guide/\”>The Ultimate Seed Starting Guide</a> </strong>here.</p>\n<h3>The Best Grow Lights for the Home Gardener</h3>\n<p>There are many options when choosing the best grow lights.  I prefer to use a full spectrum grow light, which is a combination of red wavelengths and blue light.  These full-spectrum bulbs provide the correct light intensity your young seedlings need. </p>\n<p>You can also use inexpensive fluorescent lights with fluorescent tubes. On the other hand, you may get enough light by using a sunny windowsill on a south-facing window.  The best option for a small space is a shelving unit, which you can hang the grow lights from.  Do what works for your space and budget. </p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/af376a46-0341-4acc-a6e0-6d4b1875ae67\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h3>Seed-Starting Season & Choosing the Best Seeds </h3>\n<p>As seed-starting season approaches, you’ll want to make a good choice for seed germination. <a href=\”https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/\” target=\”_blank\” rel=\”noopener\”><b><u>You will</u></b></a><a href=\”https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/\”><b><u> want to consider your growing zone</u></b>,</a> the growing season, and your preferences.  When you are choosing your seeds for your garden, you’ll be able to choose from two categories. </p>\n<p> Hybrid seeds, which are produced by cross pollinating two different varieties for disease resistance or increased production or heirloom seeds that have been passed down through generations and are best for saving your own seed. I prefer to buy at my local hardware store. Shopping local to your area, you will find varieties that are better suited for your growing zone. . </p>\n<p></p>\n<figure>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/897504c2-049e-43a2-9840-af2005393067\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/f5568ffb-016a-4e0c-b62d-a3fb0229e43d\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n</figure>\n<p>Choosing what to grow in your garden will also depend on your first and last frost date or your growing zone. Simply search your frost dates according to your zip code and work backwards using the days to maturity number. For example, my first frost is estimated to be November 15th. I’d like to have fall cucumbers, which are 55 days to maturity. I’ll count backwards 55 days on the calendar starting at November 15th.</p>\n<h3>The Best Choice for Seed Starting Supplies</h3>\n<p>You’ll need seeds suited for your growing zone, seed starting trays, seed pots, seed starting mix, a spray bottle, and labels.  Seed trays, also called a 1020 seedling tray,  are used to hold your seed pots and for bottom watering your seedlings. Don’t skip these!  </p>\n<p>All of the seed trays and seed pots can be found relatively cheap if you want to keep your costs low but will likely be single use only, as the plastic they are made from is thin and will crack. A great option for free seed pots are using things like egg cartons, although you may find you have to pot up or transplant quickly. </p>\n<p>Several years ago before I upgraded my seed starting supplies, I often used cheaper, single use seed starting supplies. You may find that you want to do this as well until you get consistent germination and healthy seedlings.</p>\n<p>If you are serious about starting seeds and know you’ll continue, there are high quality seed starting supplies you can purchase from online gardening stores if you’d like to reduce the single use plastic items. This seed-starting season,<b><u><a href=\”https://www.johnnyseeds.com/tools-supplies/seed-starting-supplies/\” target=\”_blank\” rel=\”noopener\”> I upgraded my seed starting supplies</a> </u></b>and I’m so happy with my purchase!</p>\n<figure>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/bbc344b8-1327-4d56-9f03-cff63fc692e3\” alt=\”\”><p></p>\n<figcaption>Seed Trays (1020 Seedling Tray)</figcaption>\n</figure>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/68517e03-485b-4706-ad51-b62c83ca339a\” alt=\”\”><p></p>\n<figcaption>6 Cell Seed Starting Pots</figcaption>\n</figure>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/803cb6e6-1e11-4efd-aae4-9f8fab41589a\” alt=\”\”><p></p>\n<figcaption>128 Seed Cell Tray</figcaption>\n</figure>\n</figure>\n<h3><strong>Best Seed Starting Mix</strong> </h3>\n<p><a style=\”background-color: var(–minimalistique-background); font-family: var(–font-primary); font-size: var(–font-primary-normal);\” href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/best-bagged-soil-for-tomatoes/\” target=\”_blank\” rel=\”noopener\”><b><u>Choosing the right seed starting soi</u></b></a><a style=\”background-color: var(–minimalistique-background); font-family: var(–font-primary); font-size: var(–font-primary-normal); font-weight: var(–font-primary-default);\” href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/best-bagged-soil-for-tomatoes/\” target=\”_blank\” rel=\”noopener\”>l</a> for healthy plants depends on your preferences.  Seed starting mix is readily available in the garden center or local  hardware store. It is a fine, fluffy mixture that is great for germination  and the young root system.</p>\n<p> However,  they do not contain any nutrients so you’ll have to<b><u><a href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/best-fertilizer-for-kale/\” target=\”_blank\”> </a><a href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/best-fertilizer-for-kale/\” target=\”_blank\”>have the best fertilizer </a></u></b>and  a fertilizing schedule for your tender seedlings or they will quickly yellow and die.  This is where seed starting trays, also called 1020 plastic trays, are useful.  It’s easy to add a little liquid fertilizer, like fish emulsion,  to the water in your plastic trays. </p>\n<p>You can also use a potting mix to start your seeds, which usually has some nutrients already added but does not have that fine texture that seed starting mix does. In this case, running it through a sifter does the trick. </p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/6194ba1c-cfc1-47df-805e-5a254e628999\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h3><strong>DIY Seed Starting Mix</strong></h3>\n<p>The home gardener may even want to make their own seed starting mix to save money.  Homemade seed starting mix can be made by combining 4 parts compost, 1 part perlite, 1 part vermiculite, and two parts peat moss. Add all the ingredients into a tub, mixing and pre moistening as you go. </p>\n<h3><strong>The Best Way for the Home Gardener to Sow Seeds </strong></h3>\n<p>Fill your containers with pre-moistened, high quality seed starting mix.  Follow the seed packet instructions for the appropriate depth and spacing for each type of seed. Generally, you’ll make small holes in the soil, drop in the seeds, and cover them with a thin layer of soil.  </p>\n<p>Planting seeds at the right depth will give you the best germination and help them grow from seed to seedling. Planting depth will vary for each seed. That information can be found on the seed packet but a general rule of thumb is to sow seeds at a depth of two times the width. For example, if a seed is ¼ inch wide then you would sow that seed ½ inch deep.</p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/20a26cfb-f8f0-450e-b001-093efbb75d7b\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h3><strong>Starting Seeds & Watering</strong></h3>\n<p>Always start with pre-moistened soil. Checking for dampness of your soil is a good guide to let you know when to water your seeds.  Use a spray bottle to mist the surface of the soil after planting. This ensures even moisture distribution without disturbing the seeds.  </p>\n<p>You can also go ahead and add water to your trays to start bottom watering.  This helps keep your seeds and soil from drying out.  Water the soil gently, avoiding over-watering that can lead to rot. Always check for dampness before watering.  </p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/526d5584-5a4f-46c3-84c4-2027c707a79a\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h3>Cover and Maintain Your Seeds</h3>\n<p>Cover your containers with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to create a greenhouse-like environment that retains moisture and warmth. Place them in a warm spot with indirect light. Check the moisture regularly and mist as needed. I recommend putting your seedlings in an area that you pass through often so you don’t forget about them. </p>\n<h3>Starting Seeds Indoors with Grow Lights</h3>\n<p>Once you have seed germination,  you will need to be sure they get sufficient light. You can put them in a south-facing window or if you are starting seeds indoors with grow lights, its time to get your light system turned on. To avoid your young seedlings stretching for the light and becoming leggy seedlings, light height is important.</p>\n<p>For sufficient light, be sure to give even, direct sun light in a sunny windowsill. If you are starting seeds indoors with grow lights, hang the grow light within an inch of the tops of the seedlings for the correct amount of light.  Light schedule is also important. You’ll want to mimic the hours of day and night with the light schedule.</p>\n<p>If multiple seedlings emerge from the same spot, gently thin seedlings out using tiny scissors, being careful not to disturb the root system, leaving only the strongest one. This prevents overcrowding and ensures healthy growth.</p>\n<h3>Transplanting Young Seedings</h3>\n<p>As the seedlings grow and develop their first true leaves (different from the initial seed leaves), you can transplant young plants into a larger container with more space. Be sure to have more soil potting mix ready! This step helps them develop strong root systems.  Leaving them in a container too small will lead to less vigorous growth when they are transplanted.  </p>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/00c8f5a4-4aa3-478a-aaee-5a9cedeef96d\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<h3>Hardening Off Seedlings</h3>\n<p>Before planting seedlings outdoors, they need to be gradually acclimated to the outdoor garden environment. This process, called \”hardening off,\” involves exposing them to increasing periods of sunlight, wind, and temperature variations over the course of a week or so. It is vital to their success transitioning into the garden. Don’t skip this step!</p>\n<p>Once in the garden, look out for pests and be ready with<strong> <a href=\”https://americanfarmsteadhers.com/natural-pest-control-for-your-garden/\”>organic pest control methods.</a></strong></p>\n<h3>Transplanting Seedlings Into the Garden</h3>\n<figure><img class=\”fr-fil fr-dib fr-draggable\” src=\”https://rankiq-prod.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/33bd0a72-babb-4d98-81ba-89452483be25\” alt=\”\”></figure>\n<p>Once your young plants are hardened off, and the outdoor temperatures are appropriate for the plants you’re growing, transplant them into your garden beds or containers. You can prepare the area by adding several layers of compost to the soil.  Be sure your transplants have been watered before planting. Also be sure that the area you are putting them into has also been watered prior to planting. Follow spacing recommendations and water thoroughly after planting.</p>\n<p>You can join us for <a href=\”https://besthomesteadingpodcast.simplecast.com/episodes/seed-starting-time-on-the-homestead\”><strong>Episode 60, on the American FarmSteadHers Podcast</strong></a>, to hear us chat all about starting seeds for your garden.</p>\n<p>Here’s a <strong><a href=\”https://youtu.be/sfyBZfg5d80?si=Z2a0HpYpE47YkuRB\”>video</a></strong> on how I started my seeds a few years ago with single use, inexpensive seed starting supplies.  </p>\n<h4>Happy Homesteading & Seed Starting,</h4>\n<p id=\”isPasted\”>Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of 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