Planting Your Garden Seeds

Growing your plants from seed gives you the satisfaction of nuturing your plant right from the beginning. There are a lot of other reasons, of course: the expense of buying plants at a garden nursery, not finding the plants you are looking for in your local area, and getting a head start on the growing season. There are many reputable places online to buy seeds, such as Park Seed, a well-known, 140 old company from South Carolina.

There’s two ways to plant seeds, and it depends on the plant: indoor germinating, and simply placing them in the ground outside when the danger of frost has past.

Growing Your Seeds Indoors

A lot of us live in a climate with a shorter growing season, so to get a head start on the gardening year, many of our plants begin life indoors. The general rule of thumb is to begin 6-8 weeks before the typical end of frost, though this of course depends on the plant. Here are the basic steps:

1. Seed Starting

Your seed needs a place to germinate. You can use anything – egg or milk cartons, small pots or trays with compartments. Your seed won’t need soil yet, as it has it’s own food source for germinating. Do not use ordinary soil – instead, use either a seed-starting mix or a soil mixture that is light and drains well. Peat is a great medium, but as this material is harvested from “non-renewable” peat bogs, try environmentally-friendly coir instead (the fibres of a coconut).

I would use trays with individual compartments, so that I don’t have to worry about ripping roots when transplanting the young plants. Make sure the compartments are large enough – it’s a pain, and a shock to the seedling, when replanting them into a larger pot!

Large, hard-shelled seeds will need to be soaked overnight, while small ones can be planted directly into the potting mix. (Check out this article on pre-treating your seeds first.)

Check the directions of your seed package. The soil must be damp but not soaking. The water will activate the germination process, as does heat (usually), some humidity and oxygen. Thus you will need to cover your tray, and the soil must be fluffy to allow oxygen in. Light is not neccessary. Mist the soil with a spray bottle every few days, if needed.

Avoiding Disease – Known as “damping off”, it’s when seeds do not germinate, or young seedlings suddenly die off. This can be caused by a variety of factors, the most common being fungus. Once begun, it can quickly spread. To avoid disease, make sure this checklist is followed:

• Your trays and soil must be sterile – trays can be washed in a mixture of water and bleach. Potting mix should be bought sterile.
• Make sure the seeds are clean and free of fungus
• Make sure the soil medium is moist but not damp – damp conditions encourage mold and fungus growth. After the soil is moist, only lightly spray the surface with water. If possible, water underneath, not above. Trays with holding compartments allow this.
• Provide lots of sunlight and air circulation
• Do not use fertilizer – your seeds have their own. Fungus loves fertilizer, such as nitrogen
• If using tray covers, make sure there is some ventilation to avoid excess humidity levels

2. After Germination

After your seed germinates, you’ll see small leaves poking out of the soil mix. They will now need light. If you can’t use natural light, try grow lights or even florescent lights. Space them about 6-8 inches from the top of the plants. If you want them to grow faster, keep the grow lights on 24 hours a day, and gradually balance it to the natural rhythms of natural 12-hour a day light. Too little light, and your plants will look spindly and thin.

Continue watering, preferably from the bottom if you are using trays, and only enough to dampen the soil. When the plants are tall enough, remove any coverings you have. Encourage strong root development by giving your plants lots of light and brushing them with your hand or creating a breeze once a day or so. You want to toughen your plants for outdoor conditions, which include cool nights, wind, and a day/night cycle.

3. The Big, Outside World

Once the threat of frost is past, it’s time to transplant your young plants outside. Plants are ready for the warm, spring outdoors when they have three pairs of leaves. Plant in moist, crumbly soil, and keep the soil moist (but not soaking wet) for the first few days. The water will help the roots spread out into the ground. The degree of success is mainly due to the quality of the soil, so it is important to have nutrient-rich soil such as compost.

Tips for planting seeds directly in the soil

Faster growing plants, such as marigolds and wildflowers, can be grown outside once the danger of frost has past. Root vegetables such as carrots and beets should be seeded outside, as they are not made to be transplanted.

“Sow dry and plant wet” is a common gardening rule. When sowing, check the weather and wait for a dry spell before taking them outside. You may lose seeds to mold and fungus if they are planted in wet soil. After sowing, use only enough water to coax them to germinate. Use your hand or your foot to pat the soil firm. Otherwise, cold or dry air can get in and harm the germinating shoots. Rake the soil fine and even before sowing for best results.