Tuesday, April 12, 2011

An Introduction To Growing From Seeds

By Bret Knight


Utilizing saved seeds from previous crops is often a wonderful strategy to be self sufficient. This is a wonderful goal. But, growing from seed uses an extra skill or two. You will know how hearty your seedlings will be by the size of their seeds. Small needy seedlings come from smaller seeds. But, larger seeds will flourish quickly. In this article, I will give you a quick introduction to raising from seeds.

Small seed crops are best started indoors in cooler zones. The temperature of the soil needs to be higher for warm season seeds to germinate. Because the larger seeds get going quickly, you can plant them in late spring and watch them flourish. The soil temperature and seed germination time are related.

Small seeds can be started closer together. If you do plant them close, you will have to take some time to thin them out. Your new young plants are competing for resources and you do not want to have any crowding issues. Many people sow them close together and thin them early in order to maximize the space and be able to absorb the pain of some seeds not germinating.

Please be aware of the vulnerabilities of seedlings. Some diseases, like fungal issues, can kill your plant. The best way to reduce the risk is to plant them when the soil is warm, but not wet. Super clean containers can be an great option to reduce disease risk. Make sure your seedlings start out in an area with good circulation. To ensure cleanliness, use bleach on all equipment and utensils. Lastly, you should make every effort to ensure you use sterile soil and clean water.

You do not have to start everything in the greenhouse. The age old way of growing outside is fine. In most cases, they will grow and need little from the gardener. If you plan, you will find your plants are drought and disease resistant. Just be mindful of new pests and watch for disease.

Greenhouses do not have to be used. Using flourescent lights, one can use a shelf or garage to start seeds. There is nothing wrong with starting your seeds here. You can regulate the temperature and put the lighting on a timer. Some have even integrated self-watering systems to make starting seeds simple and efficient. Just be careful any time you use electricity and water together. They do not play well. Be cautious.

There you have it. This write-up may be a primer upon how to end up being productive along with seeds and seedlings. Remember, small seeds need more time to take off while large seeds seem to grow much quicker. Give their environment a little extra care. Growing from seed is a great way to be self sufficient.




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