All gardeners delight in seeing the flowers and vegetables that they've planted grow and thrive. As well as growing from cuttings and seedlings, most gardeners will have tried growing from seed and this must be one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening, whether you grow flowers, vegetables or shrubs.
There are many benefits to growing from seed. You can grow varieties not always readily available in shops and garden centres and, of course, seeds are much cheaper than plants. You can also make sure you grow seeds organically, even if the seeds themselves are not designated as organic.
Growing From Seed
Growing from seed can sometimes seem difficult and erratic with seeds not germinating evenly or not germinating at all. However, it is not a mystic art and there are simple rules you can follow to ensure you get the best from your seeds.
You don't always need a greenhouse; many seeds can be grown on windowsills, in kitchens, porches and conservatories.
Read The Instructions
Different seeds require different treatments so the first thing to do – obvious though it may seem – is to read the instructions before you buy. Make sure you can provide the correct growing conditions.
To grow healthy plants you must give them a healthy start and that means ensuring the best starting growing conditions.
The Correct Temperature
Maintaining the correct temperature is one of the most important conditions for successful germination. Make sure the germination area does not cool down excessively overnight, for example. A Maximum-Minimum Thermometer can help enormously here, especially before you plant the seeds.
Most seeds germinate better in warmth so check the required temperature on the seed packet and make sure the temperature in the growing area is at least a few degrees warmer than the recommended minimum. However, a few seeds do require cooler temperatures for germination which is why it's essential to read the instructions.
Not Too Wet
Posts usually need to be moist before planting as seeds need warmth and moisture to grow. In some cases you can water from above with a rose on a watering can. For some seeds you need to water from below by putting the pot in a tray of water. However, do not over water as this can cool the seeds and can lead to fungal infections.
Generally, use tap water rather than rain water as rain water can contain bacteria which can cause damping-off disease.
Light Enough
Light is another important consideration. Most seeds require good light for germination but, again, others are happy to germinate in the dark. Some do well in either condition but it's important to get this right.
Compost
Some seeds like to be covered with composts, others don't. Some seeds you might scatter across a planting tray or pot, with others you need to carefully place a few seeds on the pot.
Tip – some seeds are really tiny. Mix them with a little fine sand to make them easier to sow evenly.
Care Of Seedlings
Once the seeds have germinated, they may not need such high temperatures but they will still need warmth and good light. Keep seedlings out of draughts and protect against frost. This is especially important if you're considering planting outdoors.
Transplanting
When planting seeds, it's also important to consider how they are going to be transplanted. Transplanting allows you to start the plants indoors to ensure good growth then transfer them outdoors when strong.
But note that some plants such as carrots do not like their roots being disturbed so the seeds are best planted in their final growing site.
The secret – if there is one – is essentially to read the instructions for each plant carefully, and follow them. You'll then have a wonderful, healthy array of plants which will give you continued enjoyment.
