Tuesday 06 Feb 2007
Seed Starting 101: Part 2 What to Do!
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
Today we continue our series on seed starting 101. In part one, I told you what you needed to get started, now I’m going to tell you how to start sowing seeds indoors.
Let’s get started!
Step 1: Read Directions
First of all, make sure to follow all directions on the back of the seed packet!
Seeds may have special needs i.e. cold treatment, soaking, chipping, etc. You must do this first!
Step 2: The Soil or rather, the Soil-less Mix
Pour your PRE-moistened soil-less mix into containers.
Pat down lightly! You need to make sure the seeds make contact with the soil, it may sound obvious but it’s a common mistake!
If you don’t want to use a soil-less mix because it contains peat moss, try conventional soil from your garden center.
Step 3: Planting
Add seeds according to directions (make sure to pay attention to depth, whether or not they need to be covered or need light to germinate) A rule of thumb is plant the seed as deep as 3 times the size of the seed.
Always water your seedlings from the bottom!
You can use perlite as a light cover for your tiny seeds if they need to be partially in the dark to germinate.
Step 4: Lighting
All seeds need light after they start to germinate (some need light before- make sure to read the seed packet to find out!). Lights should be approximately 4 to 6 inches above the seeds. The seeds must never touch the light- so watch out, you’ll need to move the lights up as the seeds grow!
You may plant as many varieties of seeds in a container as you like, but make sure they have the same lighting, and watering requirements, and that they will germinate at the same time (ex. 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks, etc)
No need to spend a lot of money on grow lights, a regular shop light will do!
Cover your shelves with aluminum paper or other reflective material. I found some car window reflectors (those shiny things that keep the car cool) at the dollar store and wrapped my shelves in it! It helped to keep the seedlings from getting drafts, and it gives it an even light to grow!
Step 5: Transplanting #1
When the seedlings have their second set of leaves, they are ready to be transplanted into a bigger container. Continue the process of watering and lighting them, but start giving them a bit of diluted fertilizer (ex. Miracle Grow) every two weeks. You can make diluted fertilizer simply by adding twice as much water as the directions on the fertilizer package calls for.
Step 6: Hardening Off
Hardening off is the process of moving your seed containers outside for a few hours everyday AFTER the danger of frost has passed. Do this for a couple of weeks, gradually build up to the whole day, but still bring them in at night.
Step 7: Plant Away: Transplanting #2
Now they are ready to be planted outside! Make sure to pay attention to the plants needs- if the plants like full sun, partial shade, etc, and pick a spot accordingly.
That’s it! You did it! You’re all done! Now comes the fun part- enjoying them!
Marie Suzanne
Marie | general, fertilizing, flowers, northern gardening
2 Responses to “ Seed Starting 101: Part 2 What to Do! ”
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how do i plant mourning glories in a pot.
Hi John,
The following is a quote from “Parks Success With Seeds” by Karen Park Jennings. This is the most useful information I could find on how to plant Morning Glories, I hope this helps…
Germination: “Sow indoors, 4-6 weeks before planting out, at alternating temperatures of 68 and 86 degrees. Expect germination in 8-10 days. Outdoors, seeds may be sown after all danger of frost is past in the spring, when the soil is warm. Indoors and out, sow at a depth of 4 times the size of the seed, and, to hasten germination, soak them in warm water for 24 hours prior to sowing or clip or notch the seeds
Growth: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves. Site in full sun in a light, moist, well-drained soil. Avoid high levels of nitrogen as this will encourage vine growth at the expense of the flowers productions. Very tolerant of poor soils and of drought.”