Starting Seeds From Scratch: Part III

Finally, you all say, she's getting down to the nitty gritty. This is the third installment in a series on starting plants from seed. So far we have concentrated on buying seed, light requirements and getting set up for planting. In this article we will talk about how to actually plant seeds and the different requirements of some species.

I like to begin by dumping some potting soil out into an old tin baby's bathtub. It's easier to fill pots from it than the bag. A plastic dish tub is ideal. Lightly moisten the soil if it's really dry and mix thoroughly. The potting soil should be moist but crumbly, not soggy. Use warm water. Cold water just sits on top and resists absorption. Fill your pots or flats to just shy of the top. Some seeds need light to germinate (see end of article for examples) and should be sprinkled lightly on top of the soil and gently pressed in. All other seeds should be planted no deeper than twice the diameter of the seed. The soil should be firmed around the seed so it makes good contact, but don't compact the medium or there'll be no spaces for oxygen. Plant seeds ½ -1 inch apart if possible.

Give the seeds a drink of warm water until the water starts to leak from the drainage holes. Pour off this excess water. If you have any handy, slip the pots into clear plastic bags and seal with a twist tie. Another mini greenhouse. I save the bags from the produce section of the grocery store for this purpose. Or use the plastic soda bottles I mentioned in the previous article. If you can't create a greenhouse be sure to keep the seeds moist at all times. If they dry out at any time before the seedlings emerge, they probably won't germinate.

A mini greenhouse environment keeps the seeds from drying out and assures germination. There shouldn't be standing water inside the bags either, because too wet is as bad as too dry. The seeds will rot. Maintain a nice steamy atmosphere, like the bathroom after a shower. As soon as the seedlings emerge remove the bag completely.

Some seeds need a little help to get going. Very hard large seeds like morning glories, lupins, hollyhocks, and beans should be soaked overnight in warm water before planting. Many perennials require cold treatment, called stratification, which simulates winter dormancy before they'll germinate. Just pop planted bagged pots into the refrigerator for the required length of time. (See end of article for species and stratification times.) Mark on the calendar when what should come out so you don't forget them.

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