If you are a gardening enthusiast, you know that there is nothing more exciting than seeing the first little green shoots appear after you plant the seeds. In order for the seeds to germinate, they need to be in the right soil, receive the right amount of sun or shade, and have the temperature adjusted so they don't stay too hot or cold. Read on to learn how to create the right environment for seeds to germinate and grow.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Prepare to Plant the Seeds
Step 1. Start with the right seeds
They must be no more than two years old, they must come from a reliable source and be suitable for growing in your region. They will certainly grow better if they come from native plants in your area, as they are already adapted to the environment, soil and other conditions that you can provide. Buy the seeds at a local nursery, farmer's market, or online vendor who sells them based on different growing regions.
Step 2. Plan to plant them at the right time
Some seeds need to germinate indoors for several weeks before the weather starts to get hot, while others need only a few days. The specific time to start the seeds also differs according to the geographic region. It is important to plant them at the right time if you want your seeds to grow into strong and healthy plants.
- Check the label on the package to know the right sowing period. Basic information is always shown on the packaging.
- You can also do an online search if you want more information on when to start sowing.
- If you're still unsure when to start germinating your seeds, plan to plant them a couple of weeks before the last frost of the season. You can start growing them indoors and let them sprout only a few centimeters before transplanting them outside. This is a safe method for many types of plants.
Step 3. Get the appropriate soil
Seeds must germinate in soil other than standard soil or garden soil. It must have a specific chemical composition that allows the birth of the first leaves and is different for each type of seed. Research the specific needs of the seeds you want to grow so that you can purchase the right potting soil from a nursery or online vendor.
- You can buy a premixed planting soil that is suitable for many types of seeds.
- If you want to save money, you can make your own soil by mixing vermiculite, perlite and ground moss, all of which are available at garden stores. An equal proportion of the three ingredients is generally effective.
- Don't try to plant the seeds in normal soil. They already contain all the nutrients they need to germinate. Adding nutrients already present in normal soil is harmful during the germination phase.
Step 4. Choose a container to place the seeds
You need a 5-7.5 cm deep tray with drainage holes in the bottom. It can have a simple shape, like a tray without compartments or it can have dividing segments for the different seeds. The width depends on the number of seeds you want to plant. But make sure it's large enough to leave enough room for the seeds to germinate.
- You can buy a seed tray or planting tray, but it is just as effective to use the egg container, newspaper, wooden box or other items you find easily around the house.
- When the seeds germinate and sprout, they will need to be transferred to larger containers or planted in the ground. For this reason, the aesthetic aspect of the containers is not so important, but rather the function they perform.
Method 2 of 3: Plant the Seeds
Step 1. Prepare the containers
Line up your trays with the planting soil. Fill them with earth up to about 1 cm from the edge or up to the edge itself. Sprinkle water on the soil to wet it a little. Don't water too much though, you should only moisten it just enough to ensure a good environment for the seeds.
Step 2. Determine if the seeds need to soak
Some varieties must first be soaked for a few hours before being planted, while others can be planted directly in the tray without having to receive water previously. You need to understand if your seeds have this need or not before thinking about planting them. Read the instructions on the packaging or inquire online.
- If you need to soak the seeds, place them in a clean container and cover them with water at room temperature. Let them rest for 3 to 24 hours. Drain and pat them with a paper towel to dry them.
- If you soak them, plan to plant them soon after. Don't wait for them to dry again.
Step 3. Plant the seeds
Distribute them evenly over the planting soil and press them lightly with your fingers. Cover them with a layer of potting soil about three times the size of the seeds. After that, moisten the soil again.
- Don't put too many all together; be careful that they are not too close to each other.
- Depending on the variety, some need to be planted deeper, while others need not be covered at all. Most seeds require a light layer of potting soil as described above, but you need to check this so you can be sure the type you choose does not require special treatment.
Step 4. Put the trays in the suitable environment
Most seeds don't need sunlight to germinate, but other varieties do, so check to make sure you're providing the right conditions for your seeds. If you don't want to make a mistake, keep them in a room with a temperature between 16 and 27 ° C; however, remember that, as already mentioned, some seeds need special treatment and require very cold or very hot temperatures to grow at their best.
- You can put a heating mat under the tray to regulate the temperature and keep the environment warmer during the germination period.
- When the seedlings begin to sprout, keep them in an area with a temperature above 21 ° C, until it is time to transplant them outside.
Step 5. Keep the soil moist
Cover the trays, without sealing them, with cling film, in order to maintain the humidity and regulate the temperature. Lift the wrapper daily to gently water the seeds. Make sure the soil never dries out, otherwise the seeds can't germinate properly.
- In any case, don't get them too wet. If they are too saturated with water, they do not grow.
- You can use newspaper instead of the plastic sheet. Use a spray bottle to keep the newspaper moist while the seeds germinate.
Method 3 of 3: Caring for Seeds After Germination
Step 1. Move the seedlings to a sunny spot
When you see the first green shoots emerging from the soil, move the trays to a sunny area. Make sure that the ambient temperature is above 21 ° C, but make sure that the seedlings are in a bright space so that they can grow strong and healthy.
Step 2. Keep them moist regularly
If you had covered the seedlings with a layer of cling film or newspaper, now is the time to remove it; wet the seedlings by watering them regularly a couple of times each day. Spray them in the morning and early afternoon, but avoid getting them wet in the evening. If water stagnates in the soil overnight, it could facilitate mold growth.
Step 3. Add fertilizer after a few weeks
Since the sowing soil does not contain nutrients, you must fertilize the seedlings with a specific product when they have reached a height of 5-7 cm. Know what type of fertilizer is appropriate for the plants you are growing. If you can, get an organic one.
Step 4. Thin out the seedlings
If you see a lot of new seedlings sprouting from the seeds, you need to prune some of the weaker ones so that the stronger ones can become even more robust. Thin them out where you see 2 or 3 seeds sprouting from a single jar, or 2 or 3 sprouts for each section of the egg carton. Grab the excess shoots at the base of the stem, tear them off with their roots and throw them away. Preferably choose the shoots that are closest to the base, remove the roots and throw them away.
Step 5. Transplant the young seedlings when the time is right
When the growing season begins, it's time to move the seedlings into larger pots outside or directly into the garden. Make sure you have the right type of soil for your cultivar and plant the shoots in an area with the right amount of sunlight and well-draining soil.
Advice
- Label the seeds so you know what type of plant it is.
- Some seeds can be stored longer than others. To check if yours are still viable, sprinkle at least a dozen on a well-moistened paper towel and cover everything with a layer of cling film. Check them over the next 2 or 3 days to see how many sprout. If they sprout, you can plant the seeds. If this is not the case or if there are very few sprouts, you should get some new, more recent seeds.
- Always read the directions you find on the package of seeds. The labels contain a lot of useful information about sowing times, the amount of light and water needed, and so on. If you are planting seeds that you have saved, search online for instructions for this type of plant. In addition to water, some seeds need heat and light.
