Starting Seeds

With the variety of plants available in seed form, compared to the number of established plants available in garden centers, your selection is limitless.

Perusing seed catalogs and seed displays in garden and home centers can be exciting.

Once you select the varieties you want to grow, starting seeds is a great way to jump-start the growing season. To successfully grow plants from seeds, only a few basic supplies are needed.

Seed Starting Supplies

The most important thing you will need will be a location that provides adequate light and air circulation.

You want a space where you can leave the seedlings for several weeks. Depending on the number of plants you want to start, the amount of space will vary.

A sunny window with a southern exposure provides adequate natural light. You can use cool-white fluorescent lighting fixtures if no window is available.

Set up the lighting system to provide all seed pots with several hours of light each day.

Again, depending on the number of seeds and pots you are using, this will vary.

Check seed package to see whether seeds need light or darkness to germinate. Some require light only after the seedlings appear.

It is best to start by purchasing fresh seeds dated for this years' growing season.

Old seeds may still be viable, but many are not viable for more than a year. Seed packages give detailed information on starting seeds, indoors or out, and anticipated time to germination.

Many provide pictures or drawings of the seed to make identification easier.

A variety of containers can be used for starting seeds. Seed trays, peat pots or cell packs can be used with a good potting soil or seed starting medium.

Any recycled containers should be clean and sanitized in a ten-percent bleach solution for 15 minutes. Let it dry completely before adding growing medium.

If you use regular potting soil, sift it to break up large clumps of soil.

Seed starting medium is looser and lighter, making it easier for seedlings to burst through.

Recycled plastic containers, like butter tubs or yogurt containers, can be used by poking several drainage holes in the bottom.

Use shallow containers to avoid excess watering which is detrimental to the roots of seedlings.

Use plastic wrap or tray covers to provide moisture and humidity needed to germinate seeds.

Markers to identify trays or pots are necessary because many seedlings look alike.

Since they may require different care, proper identification is important.

Plastic markers are available are garden and home centers. Mark them with a waterproof marker to avoid the ink from smearing and becoming unreadable.

How to Germinate Seeds

Put the potting or seed starting medium in containers, allowing 1/4 inch of space at the top.

Water the soil and let it drain well. Use a pencil or stick to poke a hole for each seed.

Check package directions for depth and spacing of seeds. For tiny seeds, scatter on the surface and tamp them down gently to ensure contact with the soil.

Cover the seeds with a fine layer of soil to the depth on the package.

Add a thin layer of 50/50 sphagnum and finely ground stone to help keep the surface dry enough to prevent damping-off, caused by excessive moisture and lack of adequate air circulation.

Mist the potted seeds with a fine sprayer or place containers in a tray of water and allow them to soak up water from the bottom.

Do not leave water sitting in the trays once the soil is moist. You want the soil to remain moist, not saturated.

Cover the containers with a lid or sheet of plastic wrap to retain moisture.

Check the containers daily. Spray with a fine mist or add water to the tray to maintain consistent soil moisture.

Each day, remove the cover or plastic to allow air circulation and to check for germination. Once the seeds have germinated, remove the covering.

Keep the location of the seeds and seedlings in 65 to 75 degree temperatures.

Use a heating pad or placing containers near a heating vent to add warmth. Ensure this source of warmth does not excessively dry out the containers.

Turn the seedling containers daily as they grow to produce strong stems and straight plants.

Brush your hand gently across the surface of the seedlings to encourage strong stems.

Once the second set of leaves appears, start fertilizing your seedlings. Use half-strength liquid fertilizer weekly to promote healthy growth.

With a little planning and care, starting seeds is a fun beginning to the planting season.

You can grow plants from seeds easily and enjoy a bounty of flowers, herbs or vegetables in your garden.

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