Best exposure for seed starting

So, living off grid in a new climate is proving to be challenging. Back in suburbia, I started seeds in my garage under grow lights, with heating mats. This isn't really feasible where I am now. I do have porches, on the west and east sides of my house. At this time of year, starting seeds on one of the porches seems viable. Currently,I have them on the east porch. Does anyone have any experience with which porch would work better?

Seeds don't need light to sprout. Only after they sprouted they need a lot of light. I think you should choose the porch which is most comfortable for you. What worked best for me was to put the seedlings out on the terrace over the day, so they got full light but not full sun and then I brought them back in in the evening. This they also got used to "the real" weather conditions. Would such thing be possible for you?

My preferred way to start seeds is in the garden.

If I feel that they need help sprouting, I use the paper towel method in a plastic bag.

A west porch will be shading in the morning and sunny in the afternoon.  

An east porch will be sunny in the morning and shady in the afternoon.

I feel you picked the best porch for starting them.

I’m with Ben K.  Unless there is a reason I plant my seeds in the garden.  I may soak them over night for recommended varieties but generally no.  I pay attention to how deep I plant them and I make sure the bed is warm and consistently moist..not wet. I pay attention to germination times closely.

I try to make it easy and avoid transplanting if I can, it’s also late in the season and transplanting will set plants back..I have a short growing season.

It’s too hot for starting seeds in the garden. It is too difficult to keep things moist. I have much better luck starting seeds in trays and transplanting after a month or longer for perennials. When I lived in the suburbs, I used grow lights but here being off grid that’s not a good option.

Some plants do require light to germinate.  (I can't remember which ones.)

Good luck!  I vote for the east porch, because afternoon light can be quite harsh.

I think you're spot on in terms of east porch. The early light seems to be what the seedlings love. Afternoon exposure, I think, stays too cold in the morning and then turns too hot in the afternoon. And starting in flats is often a better option for me too