Tips for Successful Seed-Starting
 What you need to get started: water-proof pen, labels, a plastic plate to hold the seeds, an articulated flat, and some soil-less mix. |
 Filling the flat. |
 Careful watering from above, BEFORE planting. |
 Making the divot. |
 Plant two seeds in each depression. |
 Cover lightly with soil-less mix. |
Plants have four basic needs — light, water, air, and nutrients — and
it's helpful to keep these in mind whenever you're dealing with
plants. Simple, right? However, the form, intensity, amount, and type
of these matter, especially when starting seeds.
Each seed contains a rudimentary shoot and root, as well as the food
the seed needs to germinate once it is exposed to the right
conditions. Those conditions vary with the type of seed, but most
seeds germinate with the simple addition of water.
Seeds contain just enough food to sprout and emerge from the soil.
Then they need light, water, air, and nutrients in order to
manufacture their own food through photosynthesis and perform other
metabolic tasks. Seedlings without enough light will be pale and
spindly as they try to reach upward toward the light. Seedlings whose
roots are exposed to too much or too little water will die as roots
either suffocate or shrivel. Seedlings also need the proper type and
amount of nutrients. Most seed-starting mixes are "soilless" and
provide a sterile, well-draining medium with few or no nutrients —
perfect for germination.
Your role is to provide the seedlings with everything they need for
sturdy growth. As soon as seedlings germinate, expose them to bright
light. Indoors, use a purchased light garden, or rig up your own with
fluorescent bulbs. However, you'll need to devise a system that allows
you to keep the lights just an inch or two above the tips of the
growing seedlings. Commercial light gardens are designed to make this
easy.
Keep soil evenly moist. That means about the moisture of a wrung-out
sponge. Water must always be available, but not at the expense of all
the air pockets in the soil. This is where most seed starting ventures
go awry: if the soil dries out completely just once, small seedlings
will perish. Self-watering setups help.
Once the seeds have one set of "true" leaves (as opposed to the "seed"
leaves, actually cotyledons, that are usually the first to appear),
start fertilizing with a dilute (1/4 to 1/2 strength) soluble
fertilizer. There are many choices out there; organic gardeners often
use a fish emulsion/seaweed mixture (but be sure to choose one labeled
as odorless if you're growing seedlings indoors).
Seed starting isn't difficult, but it does require some diligence.
You'll be rewarded with the thrill of watching seemingly lifeless
seeds spring to life and grow into plants you'll be proud to show off
in your garden. Give it a try!
Source: National Garden Association
Photos by: Michael Weishan
