Difference between revisions of "Germinate Seeds"
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If you're a gardening enthusiast, you know there's nothing more thrilling than seeing the first tiny green shoots come up after you've planted seeds. To germinate seeds you will need to give them the correct type of soil and make sure they get the right amount of sun or shade, plus regulate the temperature so they don't get too hot or cold. Read on to learn how to give seeds the right environment to germinate and grow. | If you're a gardening enthusiast, you know there's nothing more thrilling than seeing the first tiny green shoots come up after you've planted seeds. To germinate seeds you will need to give them the correct type of soil and make sure they get the right amount of sun or shade, plus regulate the temperature so they don't get too hot or cold. Read on to learn how to give seeds the right environment to germinate and grow. | ||
| − | [[Category:Plant Propagation Techniques]] | + | [[Category: Plant Propagation Techniques]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
===Getting Ready to Plant the Seeds=== | ===Getting Ready to Plant the Seeds=== | ||
| − | #Start with good seeds. They should be less than two years old, from a reputable source, and suitable for your growing region. You'll have better luck with seeds that came from plants local to your area - they'll like the environment, soil, and other conditions you can provide. Buy your seeds at a local nursery, a farmer's market, or an online vendor that sells seeds for different growing regions.<ref>http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/</ref> | + | #Start with good seeds. They should be less than two years old, from a reputable source, and suitable for your growing region. You'll have better luck with seeds that came from plants local to your area - they'll like the environment, soil, and other conditions you can provide. Buy your seeds at a local nursery, a farmer's market, or an online vendor that sells seeds for different growing regions.<ref name="rf1">http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/</ref> |
#*Try checking to see if there is a seed swap in your area. You can meet other gardeners, get seeds, and get tips for germinating specific types of seeds in your area. | #*Try checking to see if there is a seed swap in your area. You can meet other gardeners, get seeds, and get tips for germinating specific types of seeds in your area. | ||
#Plan to start them at the right time. Some seeds need to germinate indoors several weeks before the weather gets warm, while others need only a few days' time. The time you need to start your seeds also differs by growing region. Getting the timing right is important if you want to give your seeds the best chance to grow into strong, healthy plants. | #Plan to start them at the right time. Some seeds need to germinate indoors several weeks before the weather gets warm, while others need only a few days' time. The time you need to start your seeds also differs by growing region. Getting the timing right is important if you want to give your seeds the best chance to grow into strong, healthy plants. | ||
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#*If you're still not sure when to start your seeds, plant to start them a few weeks before the last frost of the season. You can start growing them indoors and let them sprout a few inches high before transplanting them outside. This is a safe bet for many types of plants. | #*If you're still not sure when to start your seeds, plant to start them a few weeks before the last frost of the season. You can start growing them indoors and let them sprout a few inches high before transplanting them outside. This is a safe bet for many types of plants. | ||
#Get the right growing medium. Seeds need to germinate in a growing medium that's usually different from standard potting soil or dirt. They require a certain soil texture to germinate, and it's different for different seeds. Research the needs of the seeds you're growing and get the appropriate growing medium from a nursery or online vendor. | #Get the right growing medium. Seeds need to germinate in a growing medium that's usually different from standard potting soil or dirt. They require a certain soil texture to germinate, and it's different for different seeds. Research the needs of the seeds you're growing and get the appropriate growing medium from a nursery or online vendor. | ||
| − | #*You can buy a soilless growing medium that's premixed, and it works for many types of seeds.<ref>http://www.gardeners.com/How-to-Start-Seeds/5062,default,pg.html</ref> | + | #*You can buy a soilless growing medium that's premixed, and it works for many types of seeds.<ref name="rf2">http://www.gardeners.com/How-to-Start-Seeds/5062,default,pg.html</ref> |
#*It's cheap to make your own growing medium from vermiculite, perlite, and milled sphagnum moss, all available at garden stores. A ration of 1:1:1 is usually effective. | #*It's cheap to make your own growing medium from vermiculite, perlite, and milled sphagnum moss, all available at garden stores. A ration of 1:1:1 is usually effective. | ||
#*Don't try to plant seeds in regular soil. Seeds already contain all the nutrients they need to germinate within them. The extra nutrients in regular potting soil are detrimental during the germination period. | #*Don't try to plant seeds in regular soil. Seeds already contain all the nutrients they need to germinate within them. The extra nutrients in regular potting soil are detrimental during the germination period. | ||
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#*Some seeds need to be planted deeper in the growing medium, and others shouldn't be covered at all. Most seeds are fine with a light covering of growing medium as described above, but you should check to make sure the seeds you have don't need special treatment. | #*Some seeds need to be planted deeper in the growing medium, and others shouldn't be covered at all. Most seeds are fine with a light covering of growing medium as described above, but you should check to make sure the seeds you have don't need special treatment. | ||
#Put the seed containers in the right environment. Most seeds don't need sunlight to germinate, but some do, so you'll need to check to make sure you give your seeds the proper conditions. Placing the seeds in a room with a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees F is a safe bet, but again, some seeds need special treatment and require very cold or hot temperatures to do well. | #Put the seed containers in the right environment. Most seeds don't need sunlight to germinate, but some do, so you'll need to check to make sure you give your seeds the proper conditions. Placing the seeds in a room with a temperature between 60 and 80 degrees F is a safe bet, but again, some seeds need special treatment and require very cold or hot temperatures to do well. | ||
| − | #*You can use a heat mat under the seed tray to regulate the temperature and keep things on the warmer side during the germination period.<ref | + | #*You can use a heat mat under the seed tray to regulate the temperature and keep things on the warmer side during the germination period.<ref name="rf2" /> |
| − | #*Once the seedlings sprout, keep them in an area with a temperature above {{convert|70|F}} until they're ready to be transplanted outside.<ref | + | #*Once the seedlings sprout, keep them in an area with a temperature above {{convert|70|F}} until they're ready to be transplanted outside.<ref name="rf2" /> |
#Keep the growing medium moist. Cover the trays lightly with a sheet of plastic wrap to keep the moisture in and regulate the temperature. Lift the plastic wrap each day to lightly water the seeds. Make sure they never get the chance to dry out, or they won't germinate properly. | #Keep the growing medium moist. Cover the trays lightly with a sheet of plastic wrap to keep the moisture in and regulate the temperature. Lift the plastic wrap each day to lightly water the seeds. Make sure they never get the chance to dry out, or they won't germinate properly. | ||
#*Do not overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they won't grow. | #*Do not overwater the seeds. If they get waterlogged they won't grow. | ||
