Preparing Successful Seedlings
Judy Williams
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions.
Vegetable seeds need a light, friable soil that will hold moisture, to grow. Seeds must absorb 40-60% of their weight in water to trigger germination. They also need air. When they sprout, they take up moisture from the film of water around the soil particles, they take up air from the space between those particles. So soil quality is extremely important. Compacted soil will not allow your seeds to sprout.
A good seed raising mixture could be the answer if you are unsure of the quality of your soil. Individual 'peat pots' are a great invention because the whole pot goes into the ground without disturbing the roots of your baby plants.
Warmth is also important to growing from seed. Most garden seeds will germinate if soil temperature is around 20C. For colder climates seed beds must be kept warm either by having them in a sunny protected spot in or near the house (like a porch or garage, out of the elements) or in a glass covered cold frame. For most vegetable seeds you can expect a germination time of 6-20 days. In another 4-5 weeks, those seedlings should be transplanted into your outdoor no dig garden bed.
It's a good idea to treat seeds with a good, all purpose fungicide (something like a Rose Dust or Tomato Dust will be fine) before planting. Place a small amount, just the tip of a knife end, into the packet, reclose and shake until the seeds are covered. This will protect them from 'damping off', a common problem with very young plants.
Care of Seedlings
Seeds must be kept moist but not wet until the seedlings emerge. This may take between 1-3 weeks, depending on the plant type.
As they grow stonger, thorough but less frequent watering is required. They will need shade when young but should be increasingly exposed to the sun so they become used to conditions in the garden. Water in the morning rather than at night.
Transplanting
Mark where you plan to put each of your plants. Use a trowel to make a hole large enough to take the root system. Gently prise out the seedling from its container taking as much of the soil as you can with it into the garden bed. Firm the soil around the plant in its new position, cover the area with mulch and water in gently.
It is best to transplant in the late afternoon or evening to give the plants time to settle in less stressful conditions.
About the author: Judy Williams (www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com) splits her time between being a media executive and an earth mother goddess. No Dig Vegetable Gardens represents a clean, green way to grow your own food. The site covers all aspects of growing, cooking and preserving your harvest.
The latest information and news on Gardening:
Yahoo! News Search Results for gardening
The simple pleasures of gardening (Deccan Herald)
When I was in my early teens, inspired by a lesson on gardening in school, I had grown green chilli and coriander at home. The joy of seeing the tiny green chilli plants and delicate leaves of coriander sprouting in a pot, was much too delightful.
Top Ten 2009 Gardening Trends (Lexington Clipper-Herald)
(ARA) - Americans craving authenticity and fretting over a bleak economy have reinvigorated the trend to grow-it-yourself (GIY). From blueberries to houseplants, GIY is the new mantra as folks turn "back to the future" to simplify their lives while gardening for the greener good.
Plot user touts gardening benefits (The Naperville Sun)
Gardener Julie Federico says she is OK with Option 1A, with one caveat. "As long as I could still get a plot where they're located on West Street," Federico said. "I could continue to walk or bike there." Federico has participated in the garden plots program for the last five or six years. She began gardening on a plot with a friend, but has been tending a plot on her own for at least the last ...
Gardening events (The Jackson Sun)
If you're looking for gardening tips, you can't afford to miss the Southern Home & Garden Expo with more than 1,500 exhibitors representing home design, remodeling and landscaping Jan. 16 -18 at the Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road in Memphis.
City to offer classes on herbs, organics, gardening (This Week Olentangy)
The city of Powell will offer three classes this winter and spring on organic housecleaning, gardening and herbs.
Start Spring Early with Indoor Gardening (Lexington Clipper-Herald)
(ARA) - Let's face it -- February, March and April can be gray and dreary months. You're more than ready for spring to begin, but Mother Nature is on a different schedule.
New year offers plethora of gardening learning activities (The Vicksburg Post)
Happy New Year! I truly hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday season. In spite of having to replace a water heater and having to make an unexpected trip to the dentist for a chipped tooth, I really enjoyed the last couple of weeks.
GARDENING: Budding gardeners can start seeds now (Chambersburg Public Opinion)
We are now entering a dreary time for gardeners -- we have (or should have) cleaned up everything from last year's garden and we can't do much now, but wait until spring.
5 Tips for Hydroponics Gardening (PIZZAHEROS)
When seeds first sprout, they are said to be germinating. In hydroponic gardening, this happens within a growing medium, which can be any number of things. The best choices are composted bark, expanded clay, gravel, peat moss or sand.
Plant Exchange: Gardening Is Local Woman?s ?True Hobby? (Yankton Press & Dako...
Q: May we visit your evolving county yard and garden?