There are several reasons people don't start vegetables from seeds. They have either tried it before and not met with success, have friends who have tried it and had the same results, or feel that they don't have the time or space to do this. But this doesn't have to be true. You can start a few seeds on window ledge and it doesn't have to take as much time as people assume. Here I will go through a brief introduction to seed starting- from the supplies needed to a brief step-by-step guide to how to start your seeds.
First, you will need a few items, and a few pieces of information. Here is the list:
- a good light source- a well lit window or grow lights will do
- seeds (of course)
- seed starting mix (this will be lighter than garden soil and is not the same as potting soil)
- warm water
- seed starting trays (usually in three pieces- seed trays, reservoir, and clear plastic dome cover)
- you also need to know the following:
- last projected frost date for your area (found by contacting the lcoal county extension office)
- seed planting depth (found on seed packet)
- recommended time to seed indoors (or out) - (found on seed packet)
- optional equipment: heating pad
Once you have all these together set them out on a table that you have covered with a cloth to make it easier to clean. Now here are the steps to planting your seeds:
1. Mix your seed justrting mix with ust enough warm water to make it feel like a damp sponge when squeezed. It should not leak water but just be damp enough to hold its shape when squeezed.
2. Fill seed trays with your damp mix all the way up to the top of the sides of the trays so as to prevent "damping off".
3. Plant seeds to recommended depth.
4. Cover with medium and tamp lightly to eliminate air bubbles in your seed holes.
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