Starting with Seeds, part 2
Seed starting is not difficult, but to be successful you need control of moisture, temperatures, and light. Other important points are timing, transplanting and hardening off. Each of these topics is article material in their own right. This is a general outline.
Buying Seeds.
Buy on-line, from garden centers, supermarkets or home improvement centers. Despite claims on the seed packages, home growers may find germination percentages in the 50-70% range, so buy at least twice as many seeds as the number of plants you hope to grow. Generally, vegetable and annual flower seeds are easier than perennials, shrubs or trees.
Timing.
Timing is deciding when to sow and is primarily driven by germination and maturity rates of the individual seeds, the climate, and the gardener choosing between indoor growing space and early flowering.
A very good guide to germination days is the Thompson & Morgan Successful Seed Raising Guide. The seed package label should state the number of weeks required before outdoors transplanting.
Ask a local garden center when it is safe to put annuals in the ground in your area. You can also plan according to the so-called "Average Last Frost Date", but for most plants remember to add 2-4 weeks to these dates. At the Victory Seeds website they have an excellent guide sorted by US States and Canadian Provinces.
To determine sowing date subtract the number of weeks on the seed package from your desired planting out date.
Planting the seeds.
Fill the pots with moist, not wet, seed starting mixture. Firm slightly but avoid compacting too hard. Small seeds are usually pressed into the surface and covered with a very thin layer of vermiculite for moisture control. Larger seeds are covered slightly with some of the germination mixture (see package label for specific requirements). Try 2 or 3 seeds per pot. If more than one should germinate you can snip off the two weaker plants with scissors later. Note: light colors (yellow, white, pink) germinate before darker colors (red, blue, and orange) so leave a few slower developing seeds, also.
Light.
Some seeds need light to germinate while others prefer darkness. Check the seed package label or the
Thompson & Morgan Successful Seed Raising Guide. Seeds which require light are surface sown and placed under fluorescent lights 24 hours per day. Seeds which require darkness can be covered with seed starting mixture or covered with black plastic, but once they germinate they must receive bright light immediately.
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