There are numerous benefits to growing your own plants. Many vegetable plants need consistently warmer temperatures to thrive, and seeds should be started indoors to give the plants a head start in temperate regions. Annuals grown from seed can be started earlier indoors, where growing conditions can be controlled. It gives one a sense of accomplishment to watch the seeds germinate and grow into viable plants.
Basic Requirements
It is important to gather all that is needed before you begin. Consider first the basic requirements of seeds; soil, moisture warmth and light. Soil, containers for the soil and seeds, plant markers, as well as a light source are required.
There are many types of containers to purchase. Peat pots and plastic cellpacks are the most common. Local nurseries provide containers needed, as well as trays to hold the containers. Containers can also be made from newspaper using a wooden pot maker sold at Lee Valley. Styrofoam cups and plastic trays, items you may already have in your home, can be used. They do require drainage holes in the bottom and should be cleaned with a mild bleach solution prior to use.
Soil should be light, loose and free from fungi in order that tiny seedlings may develop roots easily and grow without the danger of rotting due to disease organisms. It is easiest to purchase soil especially prepared for seedlings, generally a soilless mix that is sterile and contains vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum moss.
Identification of seeds by using plant markers is necessary when planting a variety of seeds.
Seedlings need a consistent source of plentiful light to grow well. Commercially purchased lights, such as Floralights, are ideal. There are one-tray lights, two-tier and three-tier lights available. Alternatively, one can make one's own lights by purchasing two 4 to 6 foot long fluorescent bulbs (suited for plants). These are attached to a shop light fixture and with the use of chains can be placed above the seedling trays.
Getting Started
Place the soilless mix in your chosen containers. There should be two to three inches depth. Prior to planting seeds, this mixture should be moistened with water. Use a pencil or fine stick to make holes for the seed. Seeds should be planted about three times the diameter of the seed. Seed packages provide this information. The exception is fine seed, which usually is placed on top of the soil. Follow directions on the seed packaging.
Caring for Seedlings
Seeds germinate best when soil temperature is about 16 to 21 degrees Celsius or 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Place containers in a warm place or purchase heating cables to place under the containers, at a garden center. The light source will also provide additional warmth. Prior to germination the lights should be placed about three to four inches above the trays. As the seeds germinate and plants begin to grow, the height of the lights should be adjusted.
Moisture is essential for success in growing seedlings. Too little or too much moisture are both detrimental. The soil medium should be the consistency of a wrung-out sponge. After planting the seed, cover the seed tray with transparent plastic. This can be a hard cover plastic, a plastic bag or plastic wrap. Remove this once the seeds have germinated.
Once the seedlings have grown their first true leaves, water-soluble, all-purpose fertilizers or fish emulsion, mixed at half the recommended strength, can be applied once per week.
Seedlings in cellpacks can be transplanted into larger pots when the plants are about one to two inches in height. Plants in flats should be transplanted after the first true leaves appear to avoid roots of seedlings becoming tangled.
One to two weeks prior to planting outdoors, seedlings should be hardened off. They are now young plants and can be placed outdoors about two hours initially, gradually increasing the time. Place in a protected area out of direct sunlight.
You now have plants ready to be transplanted to your garden!
Pleasant, Barbara, Gardening Essentials, National Home Gardening Club, Minnetonka, Minnesota, 1999.
Basic Gardening Illustrated, Lane Books, Menlo Park, California, 1974.
Brigitte Straub - My years as a registered nurse have provided the opportunity to acquire indepth knowledge about health related matters. In addition, I ...
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