Many gardeners struggle with planting seeds and often just
take the approach that scattering a packet of seeds into the soil is good
enough.
This is possibly the worst way to go about planting your
seeds. Below are a few handy tips and ideas to help with seed germination.
We often hear of gardeners complaining about poor
germination, unfortunately a lot of the time the issue is directly related to
how the seeds are treated by the gardener. Here is a brief rundown of general
seed germination instructions. This should give you a basic understanding of
seed germination techniques
General rules on germinating seeds
Crops that grow underground should not be started in seed
trays. Always sow these directly where they are to grow.
Most crops that that bear their crop or fruit above ground
can be started in seed trays. (e.g.
Tomatoes, pumpkins, cabbage, peppers etc).
Using some form of specialist plugs / pots or seed
trays will always give the best germination as opposed to direct sowing.
Generally, unless otherwise noted on the seed packet. Plant
seeds 3 x deeper than they are long.
Seeds do NOT like a rich soil to germinate. The salts and
acids in rich soil can actually inhibit germination. A good base mix of 30%
each of Coir, Vermicasts and Vermiculite. From there you can add things like
rock dust, perlite and compost or manure.
If you can’t make your own mix then buy a Germination Mix
from a reputable nursery. Note that Seedling mix is not suitable for
germinating seed. Once the seedlings are big enough, they can be transplanted
into a seedling mix if you are not yet ready to plant them out.
There is a fine balance between too fine and too coarse. Too
fine and the seed suffocates, yes the seed needs oxygen. Too coarse and it
dries out too quickly.
If you are starting seeds in mid-winter or early spring, try
to either position the cell trays in a warm spot (north facing window) or use a
small heating pad to apply bottom heat.
Permanently wet conditions can lead to ‘damping off’ of the
seedlings, it is always good to have moist but not wet soil.
We find that a hessian sheet greatly improves germination in
seedling trays as the trays are watered through the hessian, the hessian
prevents you from washing tiny seed out of the cells and it also keeps the soil
moist for longer. Make sure you remove the hessian as soon as the seedlings
poke through the soil. If the seedlings grow through the hessian you will
literally pull the plants out when you lift the hessian.
The hessian sheet trick is fantastic for starting carrot
seed off in the soil. As the seed needs to be planted shallowly, and can dry
out very quickly leading to sparse or patchy germination.
