TIPS FOR SEED STARTING

 

There’s a TON of specific information on the back of seed packets … including germination time, days to harvest, and whether the seed is better started indoors or sown directly in the garden. Here are a few tips that are not on your seed packet.

USE A POTTING MIX: Seeds do best in a sterilized, soilless mix. Jiffy Organic Seed Starting Jiffy-Mix is great.

KEEP TRACK: Be certain to label and mark all of your seeds in their trays. Keeping a journal is a great idea, too. Reference to last year’s progress is a great thing to have.

CREATE THE RIGHT ENVIRONMENT BY CONTROLLING –

TEMPERATURE: Most seeds require temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate. Placing seed containers near an existing heat source or using a space heater with the proper precautions can raise the temperature as needed. In addition a heating pad designed for seed starting, placed directly under the seed containers, will warm the planting mix and encourage germination. When using additional heat sources, be sure to check soil moisture often because the seed containers may dry out more quickly.

MOISTURE: Covering trays with plastic wrap until the seeds germinate will keep the soil moisture level constant. Don’t water until just the soil surface has dried; then lift the plastic covering and spritz the surface with water from a spray bottle. This will ensure that you don’t blow the seeds out of the soil with too much water pressure. As soon as seeds germinate, remove the plastic wrap and put seedlings in as sunny a spot as possible.

SUNLIGHT: Most seeds will not germinate without sunlight and will perform best with 12 to 16 hours of sunlight each day. Indoors, place seed containers in a sunny, south-facing window and give the container a quarter turn each day to prevent the seedlings from overreaching toward the light and developing weak, elongated stems. Also, occasionally brush the palm of your hand gently against the tops of the seedlings to encourage strong stem growth.

DRAINAGE AND AIR CIRCULATION: Make sure you have good drainage and air flow to prevent disease. The fungal infection that is often referred to as damping-off is usually caused by excessive moisture and poor air circulation. To promote good air circulation, place a small fan near your seedlings. Keep the fan on low and direct it to blow across the containers at the soil level.

FERTILIZE: Proper nutrition at a consistent rate will keep your seedlings growing strong. Wait until you have two sets of leaves before starting to feed them. As the seedlings grow the cotyledons, which appear first, will wither and what are called the first “true” leaves will form. This is when your seedlings begin actively photosynthesizing. Use a balanced fertilizer or one high in nitrogen and potassium to encourage healthy growth and good roots.

ACCLIMATE SEEDLINGS TO THE OUTDOORS: Before seedlings can be transplanted outdoors, they need to be “hardened off” or acclimated to direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. It is best to do this over a three-day period by placing them in direct sunlight during only the morning of the first day, then increasing their time outside by a few hours each day until they are vigorous enough to be transplanted.

TRANSPLANT SEEDLINGS: It is important that your seedlings have sturdy, strong roots before transplanting them into the ground. You can tell if this is so by gently pulling the plant out of the pot to see the roots.  They should be extending the entire pot’s depth. When in doubt, wait. You’ve made it this far … it’s not worth losing them.

SEED STARTING SHOPPING LIST:

• SEEDS
• STERILIZED SEED STARTING MIX OR PELLET STARTERS
• TRAY FOR DRAINAGE
• POTS – LITTLE PEAT POTS, COW POTS, OR PROFESSIONAL CELL PACK TRAYS
• SPRAY BOTTLE
• SEEDLING HEAT MAT (OPTIONAL)
• GROW LIGHTS (OPTIONAL)