Most people only think of gardening as something they can do in the summer, but there is a lot more to it than just planting flowers and vegetables. Gardening year-round requires a little more knowledge about what you are doing and also having the right supplies for the job. In this blog post, we will go over everything you need to know about starting your own garden from seeds!
Planting seeds can be an enriching experience. One of life’s hidden treasures is watching your plants grow into healthy, edible food that you helped create! This is an excellent way to begin gardening early in the growing season and helps get kids interested in nature too.
If you are new to planting, start small with only a few easy-to-grow varieties, so things don’t become overwhelming; remember, it does not take much time or supplies for success if done right. It’s simple enough just by following some basic rules such as providing light sources and using equipment like pots and containers when needed–and before long from seedling, all will come harvest!
What is the best method for starting plants from seed?
Here are a few pointers to help you get started correctly:
- Ensure that the timing is correct
- Make sure your soil is correct
- Plant your seeds at the proper depth
- Water them adequately
- Ensure the soil moisture is consistent throughout
- Apply fertilisers regularly
- Maintain soil temperature
- Maintain access to natural light
- Get pots that allow air to circulate appropriately
Ensure The Timing Is Correct
The main goal of seed planting is to get seedlings or plants ready to be transplanted outside once the weather permits. Read your seed packet to find out when you should start planting them inside and when you should move them outside. This will ofcourse depend on where you live,
If you are starting seeding 6-8 weeks before the last frost, it always is a good rule of thumb. Timing is critical, but don’t worry if you start a little early. Keep your plants’ soil slightly moist and warm, and they’ll be fine until it’s time for them to join the rest of the world.
Very few plants, such as beans and squash, grow so quickly that they don’t need to be started indoors. Always check the seed package carefully to determine which seeds to start and which to direct sow, which means to plant them directly outside.
Make Sure Your Soil Is Correct
The next step is to get your soil ready. This can be the most time-consuming aspect of starting a garden from seeds, but it isn’t hard if you follow these simple rules:
Control weeds with mulch or cover them up with cardboard and add new topsoil on top.
It always is a good idea to mix in organic material such as compost or aged animal manure.
Add sand, so it is light and fluffy but not too loose that your plants will have trouble staying upright.
Watering and sunlight are equally important, as is soil composition. Purchase an Amazon test kit, have your local nursery test your soil, or visit your local extension office, where most will try it for free. When starting plants from seeds, it is not good to reuse the potting soil from your houseplants. You should also avoid using soil from your garden unless it is fresh soil that you have mixed yourself and have not yet planted anything else in.
It is best, to begin with, a clean, sterile soil mixture. This ensures that the seedlings are healthy and free of disease. Most potting mixes contain little to no nutrients. Although the bag claims that it will feed your plants for up to 6 months, to ensure the healthiest plants, add your own liquid fertiliser a few weeks after the seedlings have sprouted.
Make sure the soil is moist before you start putting it in the container. You don’t want the soil to be dripping wet or to have the consistency of mud. You only need it to be slightly moist. This ensures that the seeds have moisture right away and aids in their germination. Because seedlings do not yet have their own established root system, moist soil also helps to nourish them.
Get The Right Container
You need the perfect pot to get started with planting seeds indoors, be sure you’re using a container of good quality soil (not just dirt from your backyard!). It’ll save time on watering since there won’t be any drainage issues! You can also use other containers like plastic cups lined up on top of each other for smaller plants–just make sure they are at least two inches deep and wide enough for roots to grow freely. If you don’t want to buy pots or planters, newspaper works great when wrapped around the pot and secured with a rubber band. Whatever container you use (even yoghurt cups are game on!) make sure it has enough drainage holes at the bottom so excess water can flow out. Sow seeds in the sterile seed-starting mix or potting soil, both of which can be found in nurseries and garden centres.
Just remember, If you start seeds in small containers or plastic flats, seedlings will need transplanting outdoors into slightly larger pots once they have their first set of true leaves.
Water Them Adequately And Maintain Consistent Soil Moisture
Seeds need water just like us mere mortals! Keep an eye on watering schedules because this will vary depending on the type of plant you’re growing from seedlings–but make sure you don’t overdo it either! You’ll know if there isn’t enough moisture present since wilting plants are the best indicator.
To keep the soil moist, make a mini-greenhouse by covering the container with plastic until the seeds germinate. Water from the bottom to allow the seedlings to absorb water through the drainage holes in the container. When you use this method, there is less chance of over-watering. Slowly add water for 10 to 30 minutes, touching the top of the soil with your finger to ensure that moisture has reached the top.
Fertilise Your Plants To Maximise Yields
Plants need a lot of nutrients while they’re growing, so make sure to fertilise with either compost tea or liquid organic fertiliser from time to time–don’t worry if you’ve never done this before! The instructions will be on your package, and it’s easy as adding water until dissolved.
Keep Air Circulating And Keep Temperatures Consistent
Seedlings grow quickly when temperatures are high, and the air is circulating properly around them–this also means that there should not be any drafts coming near them in order to help maintain proper soil moisture levels. If your seedling starts wilting even after watering frequently, chances are these conditions are humid, so if you want your plants to grow as fast and healthy as possible, then turn on a fan or open windows often. And don’t forget that seedlings need light! A south-facing window will provide the right amount of sunlight they need in order to thrive–or invest in some grow lights for more consistent heat during winter months!
Tip: Most seeds will germinate at temperatures around 78°F. Waterproof heating mats, specifically designed for germinating seeds, maintain a constant temperature in the soil. They are available at most nurseries and garden centres. Alternatively, seed trays or seed containers can be placed on top of a refrigerator or other warm appliance until the seeds sprout.
Keep Your Seedlings Harden Off For The Outside World
Your plant from seedling has been growing well inside, but it’s time for them to go outside and see what life is all about. This process, known as hardening off, can be done by planting seeds outside gradually over the course of one week while providing shelter under a tarp or other cover against windy days (which may blow away your seedlings prematurely).
Is it difficult to cultivate plants from seed?
No, planting seeds isn’t difficult. It just takes a little knowledge and the right tools!
FAQs
What plants grow fast from seeds? Pumpkins, squash and cucumbers grow very fast from seeds.
What is the best container to use for planting? The most popular containers are pots of various sizes with drainage holes at the bottom. You can also find a newspaper that works well wrapped around a pot with rubber bands or other materials such as chicken wire secured in place on top along with stakes if you need additional support. Just make sure you have enough soil in your container so your plants will be able to grow without being limited by their containers!
How deep should I plant my seed? If you are a beginner starting your own plants, always start sowing seeds modestly. Cover it up three times its size (so if they’re five centimetres long, then nine centimetres). You’ll find the proper planting depth on the seed packet. This may differ depending on what type of plant you’re growing, so it’s always a good idea to read the seed packet!
How long does it take a seed to grow into a plant?
It takes about four months for a seed to grow into a plant, but it all depends on the plant type. For example, it takes a pumpkin about six months to grow, whereas squash and cucumbers can be ready in just two or three!
How do I water my plants?
Water your seedlings with small amounts of filtered water or rainwater since tap and well-water can have all sorts of additives that might not be specifically good for plants, such as fertilisers, chlorine, fluoride, etc. Make sure you only use enough, so the soil is wet (not saturated) when there’s no more runoff occurring around the surface (I use a spray bottle to wet the soil)–this will also help keep down disease issues in your garden from over watering! Watering should take place every day during hot days but less frequently on cold ones. Just remember: don’t overwater! When it comes to timing watering schedules, this differs depending on what type of plant you’re growing.
How do I care for my young plant?
Keep your seedlings in a safe place where they can thrive, such as under an eave, on a porch or deck so that they don’t get blown away by winds. Make sure to water them every day and provide ample sunlight while also keeping the soil moist–you’ll know if there isn’t enough moisture present since wilting plants are the best indicator. Fertilise Your Plants To Maximise Yields (You can use compost tea or liquid organic fertiliser from time to time). Plants need a lot of nutrients while they’re growing, so make sure to fertilise with either compost tea or liquid organic fertiliser from time to time in order to maximise your yields.
What type of plant should I grow from seed?
Some good plants for beginners include radishes, peas and beans since they don’t require a lot of care–just make sure you keep the soil moist!
How do I transplant my young seedlings into larger containers?
Treat them like any other garden vegetable when it comes to repotting them by using gloves or old clothing so that their roots are not exposed during this process. Make sure there’s enough space inside the pot for root growth, too (use compost if need be). Take care in gently pushing dirt back around the sides and remove all excess air pockets while also making sure there is plenty of drainage holes at the bottom before putting them back in their new home.
How do I harden off my seedlings?
Hardening off means exposing your plants to cooler temperatures, shorter days and less humidity, so they’re prepared for transplanting into the ground once soil conditions are right (usually around April or May). Place them outside on a porch or deck but always bring them back inside when nighttime approaches. This process should take about two weeks–during which you can also help strengthen stems by tying a string from one side of each plant to another with twine at least every 15 centimetres apart. Be sure not to leave any slack between strings either! Some vouch on starting seeds indoors, but this method has always worked for me!
How long does it take before seeds sprout?
Different types of seeds will have different germination rates depending on the type of plant they are. Some might take a couple of days, while others can be over two weeks before seeds start sprouting!
How do I know if my seedlings need more light?
You’ll notice this by examining their stems: If they’re pale and drooping, then it’s likely that your plants need more exposure to sunlight in order to thrive properly. Make sure there is plenty of space for them, too–either move containers closer together or use taller pots, so you don’t end up damaging roots with overheating from proximity to each other. You also may want to add reflective material onto walls/windowpanes as another way of adding light without having to repot the plants themselves (make sure not to put any obstructions in the way of sunlight).
How do I know if my plants need more air?
If your plant’s leaves are turning yellowish, then it likely needs to be placed in a location where air can better circulate around them. This is most common during fall months and winter when homes tend to be closed up tightly–make sure they have plenty of space too, so you don’t end up over-crowding or burying roots with pots!
What are the common seed starting mistakes?
Some common seed starting mistakes include planting too deeply, not maintaining consistent moisture in the soil and using overly potent fertiliser. Make sure to read your plant’s packaging for instructions on how deep to bury seeds or when you should water them next–some may require daily watering while others just need monthly fertilising!
Tip: If you’re starting seeds indoors, choose a location that’s out of the way of household traffic. Place them in a warm, draft-free location.
When do I snip?
Snip When the first true leaves appear, snip some of the weaker seedlings at the soil level with sharp scissors. The seedlings you leave will benefit from improved air circulation, and their roots will not have to compete for scarce nutritional resources.
What should I grow from seed this year?
If you’re thinking about starting a garden but aren’t quite sure what to grow inside, there are some great resources that will help provide inspiration for planning out your vegetable patch: Check out these links below for helpful tips on growing vegetables indoors:
Gardening: A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Perennial Vegetables, Herbs and Fruits
