One mistake new gardeners will sometimes make is planting a seed too deep into the soil. Your seed packet may provide you with some instructions but, in general, smaller seeds should be planted closer to the surface, and larger seeds can go deeper. Of course, planting seeds close to the surface makes them a yummy target for seed eaters, like birds, who may be passing by.
A plastic covering, or even light weight bird netting, will help protect your seeds from being disturbed while they have a chance to grow.
Germinating seeds outside can take longer than germinating them indoors. There are wider temperature fluctuations. It can also be harder to maintain consistent moisture in the soil. Both of these factors can lead to slower germination. The easiest of these is the peat pellet kit. I mean, what can be easier, you add water so that the pellets expand, put the top on and set it in a sunny place to germinate.
Many seeds can be germinated simply by gentling sandwiching the seeds in between two layers of wet paper towels. The paper towel is then usually placed in a plastic sandwich bag or even an old tupperware container. The idea here is just to get the seeds to the point where they have sprouted, and then transfer them to soil for further growth. This is also a great way to check if the seeds you have are viable. By germinating in paper towel, you eliminate any concerns you might have about soil type or quality.
Coffee filters make an excellent substitute, for example. While I already mentioned the peat pellet trays above because they are my favorite , there are a variety of other seed starting trays on the market that can do just as good a job. In fact, these can be more economical than the peat pellet system.
You will need to take into consideration whether you want a system with a top or not. Drainage is also a factor, you may need a pan to sit underneath them to catch excess water that drains out. Would you risk planting them and hope that they will grow?
If you pre-germinate them, you can tell right away which seeds are viable and which are ready for the compost heap. Talk about saving time and valuable space in your vegetable patch. Once the seeds sprout roots it is time to transplant them to starter pots or sow them into the ground. Theses sprouted seeds are extremely fragile you do not want to break the roots that have formed. If the germinated seed has a little bit of paper towel stuck to it, that is ok.
The advanced method of sprouting seeds involves making a gel. First, mix 1 cup of water with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch. Let the mix come to a boil and start to thicken. Pour the mix into a shallow bowl, a pie plate, works well too. You should allow the seeds to soak in the liquid for approximately 12 hours. Before soaking your seeds be sure to check the weather. Make sure you have a good day to plant after the seeds are finished soaking.
If you leave them waiting around to plant, they could easily begin to mold or rot. Scarification is a process where the seeds are scraped to remove the outer layer. This will allow the outside of the seed to breakdown faster when soaking. Hopefully this will help you make an educated decision on whether soaking seeds is worth the added effort when planting your garden.
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For now, feel free to continue reading. To soak your seeds or not soak your seeds prior to planting, that is the question… Among gardeners, at least.
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