Growing Your Garden from Seed
Growing Veggies, Herbs, & Plants from Seed
Buying plants from garden centers can be pricey and transplanting isn’t always successful. Growing from seed is one of my favorite things to do in the garden. It’s cheaper, rewarding, and so much fun to watch. Don’t know where to start? Here are some easy steps to get your seedlings started with a few household staples.
What do you need?
Paper towels
Plastic baggies (cheaper the better)
Seeds
Water
Liquid seaweed (optional)
Container for water & liquid seaweed
Cool, shady spot to store seedlings
10 Simple Steps to Start Your Seedlings:
Set up in an area that you can get messy if needed.
Label your plastic baggie with the seed name and date.
Mix the liquid seaweed with water in a container.
Think 25% liquid seaweed to 75% water. Remember, the liquid seaweed is optional!
Fold your paper towel up and dip into the seaweed/water mixture until thoroughly wet.
Squeeze out excess water. Too much moisture can promote unwanted mold to grow.
Unfold the paper towel and place the seeds in rows on the towel.
New seeds have a higher success rate, so only germinate the amount of seeds you have room for or want to grow. Liquid seaweed will boost the success rate too!
Roll the paper towel and seeds like a cigar or cigarette leaving the ends open.
Put the rolled-up cigar seedlings in the labeled plastic baggie, but don’t close or shut!
Place the baggie on a counter that will be out of hot sunny conditions.
Monitor your seedlings every few days. Make sure they stay damp and don’t dry out. The seedlings should sprout within 10 to 30 days. Older seeds may take longer to germinate.
Once the seeds have sprouted:
Fill clean 4” pots with good soil.
Use a pencil, chopstick, or other small, circular tool to make a hole for the seedling.
Unroll the seedlings carefully.
If the seedling comes off the paper easily, place in soil and gently cover roots.
Let’s say the seedling has grown into the paper towel. It’s ok! Gently tear or cut a circle around the rooted seedling and place paper towel and root into soil.
Press potting mix around roots gently.
Gently water, don’t drown, your baby seedlings.
Choose the best spot for your seedlings based on the light and environment they prefer.
Next, but most important, watch and enjoy! Don’t beat yourself up if all of your plant babies don’t survive. But do monitor and move if needed. That’s the great thing about container gardening, you can always rearrange and make adjustments. Happy seeding!