Sow, Sow, Sow Your Seeds
In order for seeds to germinate successfully, they need moisture.
The key to watering seeds is to provide a gentle, consistent source
of moisture. Never let your seeds dry out. Use a gentle spray from
a watering can to keep the soil moist. Always use room temperature
water, and if your water is chlorinated, allow it to sit for 24
hours before using. Consistently warm temperatures are also essential
for germination. In fact, some seeds require soil temperatures as
high as 85 degrees. However, most germinate in temperatures between
70 and 85 degrees. A root zone heating mat will provide consistent
bottom warmth vital for germination.
How to Sow Seeds
Moisten your geminating mix and scoop it into seed-starting flats
or containers. Determine the planting depth of the seed from the
instructions on the seed packet. Large seeds can be easily inserted
into the soil with the finger-thumb method. Smaller seeds are hard
to sow in small numbers, so mix the seeds with a little sand for
bulk. You can sow them by hand or add the seed-sand mixture to a
salt shaker and shake them directly onto the growing medium.
Plant more seeds than you think you need; this insures against
poor germination and seedling mortality. Once your seeds are nestled
into the growing medium, cover the flat with a clear plastic cover
until the seeds germinate (this will help conserve moisture evaporation).
Once the seeds start to sprout, take the plastic cover off immediately
because the heat build-up could actually kill emerging seedlings.
Seedling Care
Once your seeds have germinated, you need to make sure they have
the proper environment and nourishment to help them grow into strong
plants. The following are requirements for raising top-notch seedlings:
Light
Although most seedlings don't need light to germinate, they need
lots of light to grow - nearly 10 to 12 hours of sunlight a day.
A south facing window may work but you are better off starting your
seeds under Floralites. These special fluorescent bulbs provide
the right light intensity and solar spectrum colors required for
plant growth. Place the lights about 6 to 8 inches above the seedlings
and continue to raise them as the plants grow.
Food and Water
Water your seedlings whenever the surface of the germinating mix
feels dry to thetouch. If the soil dries out too much, the plants
could die. But if you over water, youmay encourage fungal diseases.
Seedlings also need to eat. Use an easy-to-apply liquid fertilizer,
such as Fertilome Blooming & Rooting Plant Food every two weeks
following the appearance of the seedling's first leaves. Don't fall
into the more-is-better trap with fertilizing, though.
Thinning
Overcrowded seedlings will remain thin and weak. Perform seedling
triage and keep the most vigorous seedlings; snip off the extras
at the base with a pair of small scissors. Don't thin seedlings
by pulling them up by the roots.
Transplant Time
Before you move your seedlings to their permanent place in the garden,
they need to be acclimated. This process is called hardening off.
To do this, place the seedlings outdoors in a well-protected spot
and gradually expose them to more sunlight each day. Harden off
the seedlings for about 10 days.
