Growing Garden Plants from Seed
Few things are more rewarding than growing plants from seeds. To me, a seed is visible proof of the miracle of nature. They are completely self-contained with all the genetic information needed to grow roots, stems, leaves, and flowers. It will start growing on a schedule that best ensures its survival.
As gardeners, we need to provide the right growing conditions to support seed germination. We need to provide our seeds:
- Right temperature
- Right amount of moisture
- Right amount of light
Growing Plants from Seed is Fun and Easy
Different seeds have different conditions to germinate. These conditions are listed on the seed package. High quality seed suppliers provide detailed instructions to ensure seed germination. Some of these conditions are:
- Moisture
- Oxygen
- Temperature
- Light or darkness depending on the seed
- Special conditions like scarring or soaking to help prepare the seed for germination
Germination begins with water. The seed takes up water that activates enzymes inside the cell that tell the seed it is time to germinate. As the tissues inside the seed start soaking up water, the seed coat expands and ruptures, and the root and stem emerge.
Tips for Successful Seed Sowing
There are a few things to keep in mind when you are growing plants from seeds. Following these easy steps will ensure your seeds get the best possible start so they can grow into amazing plants for your garden.
- Use a seed-starting mix.
- Provide a minimum of 2-3 inches of seed-starting mix in your containers with proper drainage.
- Cover containers with plastic to prevent water from evaporating.
- Remove the plastic cover once the seeds start to germinate.
- Water your seeds from the bottom.
- Don’t let your seeds dry out.
- Transplant your seedlings once they grow 1-2 pair of true leaves.
Pro Tip for Sowing Tiny Seeds
It can be difficult to sow very small seeds. To ensure adequate spacing for tiny seeds, mix them with sand and use a salt shaker to sow them. I use this method and it works great.
