Planning Your Garden ~ Seed Starting
Starting seeds is my love language. Watching those sweet little babies sprout and grow into a robust plant that gives and gives and gives. In this post, I am going to provide some tips on water, soil to use, nutrients, and sowing directly into the garden to help you have a successful seed-starting venture.
Water
Water is obviously the most important element in seed starting.
Seeds require a consistent supply of moisture to germinate and grow.
Seeds need a nice moist environment to sprout.
But let me caution you, overwatering can cause seeds to rot, and underwatering can prevent germination. It's important to strike a balance. I know this sounds intimidating, but it really is not. This is one of those situations where practice makes it easier. Practice does not make perfect because every year, I have lots of poor little seedlings that do not survive because of my watering problems. That’s ok, though, because it’s all part of the process.
When starting seeds, it's essential to use a watering can with a fine spray to prevent seeds from being dislodged or washed away.
I use a mister but have found that it's best to water seeds from the bottom by placing the tray in a shallow container filled with water and allowing the soil to absorb the water. Once the soil is moist, remove the tray from the water and allow it to drain.
Soil
The type of soil you use for seed starting is crucial to the success of your plants. The best soil for starting seeds is a seed-starting mix. This mix is light, sterile, and contains the right balance of nutrients to support seed germination and growth.
Avoid using garden soil or potting soil, as they can contain disease-causing organisms that can harm your seedlings. Additionally, they may be too dense and not provide the necessary drainage for your seeds.
Nutrients
Seeds require a balance of nutrients to germinate and grow. Most seed-starting mixes contain the right balance of nutrients to support seed germination and growth for the first few weeks. However, after the first few weeks, it's essential to provide additional nutrients to support healthy growth.
When seedlings have their first set of true leaves, it's time to start fertilizing them. Use a diluted, balanced fertilizer that contains equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It's best to fertilize once a week or according to the fertilizer's instructions. I fertilize every Monday with a fish emulsion. It’s a very, very diluted concentrate, and it is stinky!! but it works well. If you have an indoor cat or dog, I would not recommend it because they love the smell.
Sowing Directly
Some plants, such as zinnias, cosmos, and sunflowers, can be sown directly in the garden rather than starting them indoors. However, it's important to prepare the soil beforehand.
Clear the area of any weeds or debris and loosen the soil to a depth of about 6 inches. I have a handy dandy hand-held rototiller thing I use. It works great for small spaces, and it always works, unlike the rototiller that never wants to start for me. It is a little more labor intensive, but I it’s a good muscle-building exercise.
If the soil is hard or compacted, use a garden fork to loosen it. Once the soil is prepared, make small holes, about twice the depth of the seed, and plant the seeds. Water the area well, and keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
In conclusion, seed starting is a great way to grow plants from scratch and control the quality of your soil, water, and nutrients. By following these tips, you can successfully start your seeds outdoors and enjoy a beautiful fresh flower harvest.
Next month we are going to talk about starting seeds indoors: I know it’s a little late to be doing a majority of that right now, but it will set you up for success later in the year and next year. But, if your looking to add beautiful cut flower plants to your garden THIS year, check out my cut flower garden box. I did all the seed starting for you and you get to have all the rewards!
Check it out in the link below.
