Tips on Seed Gardening
Starting your garden from seeds may seem easy at first, however, if you have ever attempted this feat you may know that it is not quite as easy as one might believe. Growing plants from seeds requires an infinite amount of patience and an understanding of what plants need in order to grow from mere seeds.
To start growing your plants from seeds you will need containers with adequate drainage as well as a good quality planting medium. You can easily obtain commercial quality containers at any garden supply store, however, if you plant to start a large number of seeds this can be an expensive undertaking. Items you have at home can be just as easily used, such as soda bottles, milk containers, plastic food containers, etc. If you elect to use these kinds of homemade containers be sure to wash them out well with a mild soap and warm water. Then clean them once again using a solution of one part bleach to two parts water. This latter solution will help to prevent your vulnerable seeds from picking up any diseases. The containers can be given good draining by drilling or cutting holes in the bottoms of the containers.
When choosing your planting medium, be sure not to use dirt from your own garden. Ideally, you should obtain a commercial grade of growing medium that is sterile and contains the nutrients necessary to promote good growth. Begin by adding some gravel or some other similar material to the bottom of your container to assist in drainage. It is important that your plants not be allowed to sit in water because they will rot if they do so. Adding gravel or a similar material will prevent this from occurring.
If there are directions provided on your seed packets, be sure to follow them in regards to the depth at which you should plant each individual variety of seeds. If, for some reason, there are no directions, provided, you can usually plant most seeds at a depth that is twice the diameter of the seed. For very small seeds, simply sow them on the surface of the soil.
You will find that your seeds will germinate better and quicker if they are provided with some type of heat source. This should preferably be provided from the bottom of the surface rather than from over head. If you live in a warm climate, the provision of heat will not be necessary, but in cooler climates it is quite necessary.
The germinating seeds must also be kept moist in order to flourish, but keep in mind they should not be over watered. It can be quite convenient to keep a spray bottle nearby and simply give your plants growing a fine mist of water each day or every other day as you see is necessary. Make sure they do not dry out. You will know that it is time to transplant your young plants when they have developed the first two true leaves. Be aware that this is not the first two leaves to sprout, these are merely the seed leaves. The next batch of leaves is the one to look for before transplanting.
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