Seed Starting: Part 3

If you haven’t had a chance to read about sourcing seeds, when to start, or what supplies you’ll need take a look at Part 1 and Part 2 of my Seed Starting posts.

If you have your seeds and supplies ready to go it is time to actually start your seeds! Read on for your step-by-step guide.

Step 1: Prepare the containers

Decide on the type of container you would like to use and label it with the variety. In this case, I’ll be sowing the Stocky Red Roaster Pepper from Experimental Farm Network (one of my favorite companies) but the same principals apply to other seeds like tomatoes or eggplant. I have also added the date to the label so that I can keep a record of how long it take to germinate.

Step 2: Prepare your seed starting mix

While some mediums are fairly moist directly out of the bag, it’s still a good idea to pre-moisten your mix. Place your medium in a large bowl and add enough warm water to make it slightly damp. Mix with a fork and let it sit for a few minutes. For a compressed mix like the Burpee seed starting block that I use, follow the instructions on the package.

Step 3: Fill your containers

Using your pre-moistened mix, fill the containers leaving about a 1/2 inch of space at the top. Tamp down lightly so you have an even surface.

Step 4: Sow your seeds

Open the packet and take out the number of seeds you would like to sow. Gently press into the soil. I’m a sucker for order so I have three rows of four seeds. You do not have to sow multiple seeds in each cell but since I sell several hundred seedlings in the spring, this is the most efficient use of space for me.

Step 5: Cover the seeds

Cover the seeds with about 1/4 inch of the seed starting mix and press down lightly. Then, using a spray bottle, wet the top. Cover the top of your tray with a dome or plastic wrap and place on a heat mat or someplace warm.

Step 6: Check your seeds daily

Once you have placed your seed tray somewhere warm, be sure to check on them daily. Fresh seed will typically germinate within a week but can sometimes take longer. Do not allow your containers to dry out.

Once you see germination, remove from your heat mat and place under lights. If you are using fluorescent light, place your trays no more than 3 or 4 inches from the lights. This prevents the seedlings from becoming ‘leggy’. As your seedlings grow, raise your lights to maintain a 3 or 4 inch distance.

Keep the lights on for 16 hours each day or so. A timer can be helpful for this but not 100% necessary.

Step 7: Keeping your seedlings happy

As your plants grow, make sure to keep the soil only slightly moist. Too much moisture will drown the seedlings. Instead of watering from above, water the seedlings from the bottom by setting them in a tray of water for a few minutes. Remove them from their bath just as you see the top of your soil moisten. Bottom watering can also help prevent fungus gnats which is reason enough for me.

After a few weeks you’ll notice that the seedlings will start growing another set of leaves. This new growth is what’s usually referred to as the first “true” leaves. When your seed first germinated, they sprouted what is called a cotyledon or seed leaf. After your plant has two sets of true leaves, those initial cotyledon leaves will fall off. Don’t freak out because this is what is supposed to happen.

Once you have a few sets of true leaves, you are safe to add a little organic liquid fertilizer when you water your seedlings. I like to use a very diluted seaweed fertilizer. If you don’t mind a few synthetic nutrients, Fox Farm’s Grow Big is also a wonderful fertilizer. Don’t fertilize more than every other week or so.

If you sowed multiple seeds in a cell, you will eventually need to separate them and ‘pot up’. I’ll be publishing a separate post on this soon but you’ll want about 4-5 weeks of growth and at least two sets of true leaves before you do that.

Step 8: Have fun!

For me, starting seeds is one of the most exciting parts of growing a garden but don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Sometimes seeds don’t sprout or they just don’t thrive and eventually die. Just try again and you’ll eventually get it.