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People are learning about the benefits of beginning plants from seeds and are becoming more interested in gardening as a hobby or as a way to produce their own food. It’s easy to become addicted to watching life emerge from a little seed that you personally maintained. This is a good place to start.
STARTING OFF WITH SEEDS
Ensure simplicity: So that you don’t feel overwhelmed, start with a few different variations. To increase success, use straightforward plants like marigolds, nasturtiums, and basil. Give your favorite plants top priority.
Purchase seeds; there are countless kinds of seeds to cultivate. Look through seed catalogs, nurseries, and websites. Some businesses might be experts in seeds that thrive in your area.
Know the normal first and final frost dates for your location to know when to plant seeds. To find out how far in advance to start your seeds inside for spring planting, consult the instructions on the seed packet. In order to determine the best time to plant in the fall, subtract the number of days or weeks left before harvest from the date of your first typical frost.
Observe directions: Before you plant, learn about the specific requirements for each species of plant.
- Before planting, seeds could need to be presoaked, refrigerated, or both.
- Others should be covered with a small layer of dirt, while yet others should be left exposed. Some seeds need darkness to germinate.
- Be aware of germination times. While some seeds take as little as a few days to sprout, others can take up to several weeks.
Be prepared: To keep track of important details, including the date of the last frost in your location, use a calendar, gardening diary, or app. Keep thorough records for each type.
STARTING SUPPLIES FOR SEEDS
Light: Plants become lanky and frail in most interior conditions, even those with sunny windowsills. Using grow lights promotes strong, wholesome growth. There are numerous varieties for both little and large settings.
Containers:
- A variety of seed starting trays and flats are available from garden centers and internet retailers.
- Consider using a seed starting kit, which includes everything you need to get your plant growing.
- Because they may be buried in the ground, biodegradable pots are perfect for seedlings with sensitive roots.
VEGETABLE SEEDS
Make the potting soil: Pre-moisten the potting soil with warm, but not hot, water. Cells or pots should be filled with soil before air bubbles are gently squeezed out. Give yourself enough room to cover seedlings as needed.
Plant the seeds. As directed on the packet, plant. When planting larger seeds, like beans, use 1 to 2 seeds per cell or pot. When planting smaller seeds, use at least 3 to 5 seeds per cell because some may not germinate.
Cover the seed trays or containers: Put a plastic bag or dome over top to create a miniature greenhouse to keep heat and moisture in.
CARE FOR SEED & SEEDLING
Keep warm: Most seeds can germinate at a temperature of 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in a typical home.
To provide light, Once the seedlings start to appear, remove the plastic covering from the pots, bottom heat and flat. As the plants develop, turn up the lights. Stretched or leggy seedlings may indicate that your lights are placed too far away, whereas yellow or brown leaves may imply that they are placed too close.
Ventilate: Make sure there is enough air movement to ward off the fungal disease damping off, which can quickly kill seedlings.
Thin seedlings. Reduce the number of seedlings so that there is just one plant per cell or pot. Poppies should not have their roots disturbed, although some plants, like tomatoes, can be successfully divided and replanted. To avoid damaging the roots, trim additional seedlings at the base using scissors.
Transplanting seedlings: Once they start to grow into larger plants, seedlings cultivated in seed starting mix should be moved into regular potting soil. Tomato and pepper types need to be relocated into larger containers and given time to grow before being planted outside.
Permanent planting: After being hardened off, seedlings can be placed in their permanent location.
Before and after transplanting, water the seedlings. During the hottest portion of the day, avoid planting.
SEEDS BEGINNING OUTDOORS
Numerous plants can be sown just outside. Fast-growing plants like radishes and squash benefit from this strategy, whereas others like poppies and carrots do best when planted directly to prevent root disturbance.
When the soil reaches 40 to 50 degrees F, cool weather vegetables like lettuce and peas can be planted earlier in the season. Sow warm-weather plants like beans, cucumbers, and cosmos when the soil is at least 65 to 70 degrees F.
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