Beginners Guide to Seed Starting
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What is Seed Starting?
Seed starting is just what it sounds like, it’s growing your plants from seeds instead of buying a sprouted version and transplanting it.
Seedlings are generally germinated indoors or in a greenhouse because they’re so vulnerable to changes in temperature and weather. You wouldn’t put a baby in a suit and expect it to perform in an adult environment. When they’re developed enough, you transplant them outside and take care of it like anything else in your garden.
Why Do People Seed Start?
Why would people go the trouble of germinating when they can just buy their plants already ready to plant in their gardens? Honestly, if you’re a beginning gardener you don’t need to seed start, but I think it’s a lot more fun and rewarding this way.
There are actually quite a few arguments for seed starting besides just fun:
Cheaper
It’s so much cheaper to get a packet of 25 seeds for $1.50-$5.00 than to pick up the already started version (can be $4 per plant at places like Home Depot)
Greater Variety
Once you know what you want to plant, you can always find a place to get seeds. Even if that means getting them from some obscure Etsy store across the world because shipping seeds is so easy!
Better Timing
Different plants thrive at different times of the year. Gardeners tend to seed start before garden centers start selling their sprouted seedlings. This can give you a jump on things and get you a longer growing season.
Accessible
You don’t need anything fancy or expensive. You don’t even need to live near a garden center! It also means you can have a lot of fresh fruits and veg to save you even more money in the growing season.
Fun (again!)
What more do I have to say? You can dig in the dirt and be productive at the same time.
How To Choose Seeds
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1. Non-Invasive Species
This might sound obvious once you hear it, but make sure you don’t grow invasive species in your garden. Invasive species are a problem all over just because people tend not to think about this, not because they’ve got bad intentions. Some of the most infamous ones are also very popular at garden centres! These can include creeping ivy, morning glories, or even un-potted mint! There are plenty of non-invasive plants so just make sure you do your research!
2. Suited For Your Environment
Make sure whatever you plant, you have an environment that can sustain it! There’s no point in going through all the trouble of starting seeds for a full-sun plant if your growing space is almost completely shady. Don’t worry though, there’s a plant suited for every environment!
3. Try To Source Locally First
Local seeds just tend to be better adapted to the local environment. It also means that if you’re having trouble with your plants you have someone around you can actually go ask. It also generally means there’s a lower risk of invasive species! And it doesn’t hurt that they’re also usually a little cheaper…
Some great places to source seeds online are:
Home Depot / Lowes
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Healthy plants with a 48 hour delivery promise
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All proceeds go toward preserving the native species of the Southwest
Gardening Direct
Up to 50% off with this link until May 9th
Crocus
20% Off Seeds: coupon with this link until May 3rd
How To Seed Start (finally!)
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My personal favourite method is the Egg Shell Method. It’s very inexpensive and it can help your young plants get a little calcium/nitrogen boost naturally. It’s also incredibly easy. Every time you eat an egg, you rinse out the shell and put it back into the carton. Once you’ve eaten all your eggs, your planter is ready to go!
If you’re a vegan and you don’t want to eat eggs to get your veg, or you might just find this icky, there are plenty of inexpensive options for seed starting.
Egg Shell Method
From: Local Grocery Store
Biodegradable: Yes
Cheap: Yes
Traditional Method
From: Amazon
Biodegradable: Yes
Cheap: Yes
Steps:
Every time you use an egg, rinse out the shells immediately and put the halves back into the carton. Do this until you have a full carton of empty eggs.
Soak your soil in water, then distribute into the shells. You must soak the soil FIRST otherwise you’ll waterlog your egg shells, which have no drainage. Stick your finger 1/4 in into the dirt to make a small hole.
Label your carton in a way you can easily keep track of, as seen in the photo (C.P. = Cherokee Purple Tomatoes).
— Check out these for outdoor gardening labels: link
Take 2 or 3 seeds from your packet and put them into your 1/4 in hole. Cover them in dirt. Repeat until all your egg shells are filled. Take a spray bottle and spray them once a day if it’s hot where they’re being stored.
You should expect to see your first sprouts 5-10 days after planting! After a few days, remove all but the strongest seedling so it has the best shot at survival.
Once your sprouts have their “true leaves” it’s time to transplant! This should happen around a week after they first sprout. When transplanting, poke a large hole in the bottom of your eggshell and gently crumble crush the rest of the shell. Plant the whole thing in your soil. This helps give the soil and the young plant a nitrogen/calcium boost.
Fertilize every 2 weeks for best results, these guys are hungry. Water regularly.
Depending on the plant, you should see flowers and fruits around 2.5-3 months!
Happy Gardening!
Anything you want me to talk more about? Let me know!