Raising seedlings can be done directly in the garden, or in pots or seedling trays, depending on the local climate, available options and intended use of the seedlings.
For a quick, practical guide, see How to raise seedlings. To understand some of the issues in raising seedlings, see below.
Needs
The key factors that affect seed germination are:
- Water
- Oxygen - there is no root or leaf system to breathe, so oxygen must be able to reach the seed. A light porous soil helps. The main thing is not to bury them in a hard clay soil, or bury them too deeply within the soil, or have a soil which is waterlogged, or the seed may die.
- Temperature - many seeds prefer a temperatures around or slightly above room-temperature, 16-24 deg C (60-75 F) - this applies to most food plants which are commonly grown. (Other plants have more unusual requirements, but you generally won't encounter these when growing vegetables or herbs. Some cold-weather plants can germinate just above freezing. Others response to changes in temperature between warm and cool. Some seeds need to be exposed to cold temperatures (vernalizationW) and then be allowed to warm up, to break dormancy. Some seeds only germinate after hot temperatures during a forest fire which cracks their seed coats.)
Threats
Hot, cold, wind, pests excess sun can threaten seedlings.
Create the environment
Check your setting for the threats above, and look for ways to minimize them.
E.g. A drying wind may be avoided by moving next to an existing windbreak (wall or tree) or by placing a plant igloo over them.
Planting directly or transplanting
If you have a mild climate, and especially if you like lazy gardening (which is really efficient and resilient gardening), then planting directly where the plants are to grow is preferable. The seeds can be planted directly in a small amount of compost or potting mix, unless the soil is both good quality and light.
Notes and references
See also
External links
- Spring Seedlings: Tips for Growing Your Own Vegetables - CDC.gov
- Gardening Resource Plantdex
