Project #1: Start Your Very Own Plant (Or Plants) From Seed!

Step 1: Prepare your growing medium

This could be trays filled with seed starting mix or peat pellets as shown in the photo below. Lightly per-moisten your growing medium so it is easier to work with.

Step 2: Prepare your growing area

Set out your seeds and plant labels in an organized way so nothing gets mixed up. Having the labels pre-made is critical so they can be attached immediately so no plants are mislabeled.

Step 3: Place your seeds

I like to place more than one seed per cell. This practice of "overseeding" helps ensure each cell has something germinate. Seeds do not have 100% germination rates, so if you only place one seed per cell, some will remain empty due to failed germination.

Step 4: Label your seed cells.

Immediately label each cell or pellet so there are no mix-ups.

Step 5: Bury the seeds

Bury each seed to the depth recommended on the seed packet. Each seed packet will clearly state the proper seed planting depth. Most will be between 1/4 - 1/2 inch, but some seeds are sown as shallow as 1/8-inch and as deep as 1-inch.

Step 6: Water your seed starts

Lightly water each individual seed cell or pellet. Do not over-water. Over-saturated mix can lead to fungal diseases developing or the seeds rotting.

Step 7: Place seeds on a heat mat under strong light

This could be under grow lights or in front of very strong window light. I recommend running the heat mat and grow lights for 16 hours on, 8 hours off each day. Grow lights are not as intense as true sunlight, so they need to operate much longer. For example, "full sun" when growing in true sunlight requires only 6 hours of direct, uninterrupted sunlight, but with grow lights, you need 16 hours due to the lack of intensity.

Check soil moisture every day. Keep the seed starting mix lightly and evenly moist. Do not let it dry out, but do not oversaturate the mix. Overly wet mix can cause the seeds to rot and young seedlings to damp off (die from fungal diseases).

In 1-2 weeks, you should start to see your plants emerging. Once seeds are germinated, make sure to provide intense light, either from direct sunlight or via artificial light designed to grow plants (such as LED or fluorescent grow lights).

A diluted feeding of fertilizer is recommended 2-3 weeks after germination. I recommend using a water soluble fertilizer, such as Jack's 20-20-20, MiracleGro Tomato 18-18-21, or similar at 1/4 of the recommended strength. For example, if the package instructions recommend diluting the fertilizer to 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, use only 1/4 tablespoon per gallon of water. Young seedlings are vulnerable to fertilizer burn.

If you choose to use organic water soluble fertilizers, such as fish fertilizer or kelp fertilizer, beware these fertilizers have odors. If you are growing seeds indoors, use of organic fertilizers may make the room smell off-putting.

Step 8: Harden off plants

Most seedlings are ready to transplant outdoors 4-8 weeks after germination depending on the species. If you started your seedlings under artificial grow lights, true sunlight will burn or kill them! They must be slowly introduced to sunlight. Carry your seedlings out in the early morning or late evening when sunlight is gentle, or on completely overcast, cloudy days. Give them only 1-2 hours of true sunlight to start. Each day, introduce them to 1 additional hour of sunlight. After about 1 week of this process, the seedlings will be sufficiently hardened off to plant.

Step 9: Share your results!

Let's see photos of your successful seedlings! There's nothing more exciting to know that we're responsible for the birth of something new and beautiful. These plants wouldn't exist without us - show them off!

Lynn Childress

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