Needs For Seeds
Starting your garden with seeds is many gardeners' preferred method for buying baby plants. When you plant with the grain, you know how the plant has been cared for since day one, which is extremely important if you want to organic garden or understand what has been used on your plants. However, starting from seed can be challenging and frustrating if you don't know what you are doing. So, in this article, we will explore how to successfully grow thriving plants from seed.
There are three types of seed. Annuals seed, flower, then seed again in one growing season. The annual will die entirely at the end of the season. Perennials live and flower for many seasons. At the end of the season, the plants from the perennial seeds will die while the roots live. Biennials complete two life cycles in two growing seasons. Biennials flourish in the second season.
When planting seeds, you need to remember that some seeds need to be started indoors, while others can be planted directly into the ground. A few seeds that need to be planted indoors are broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, tomato, and peppers. Lettuce, peas, and cucumbers are better started directly from the ground. Many seed packets will have directions on how they should be initiated. If you aren't sure, don't guess! Take the extra time to look it up and make sure!
All planted seed needs to have an adequate supply of light. That means indoor seeds will need some form of sun daily; windowsills work well if they get enough light. Better yet, buy a few cheap light fixtures from Wal-Mart or Lowe's and use a particular bulb explicitly made for plants. Seedlings need a lot of light, so keep your lights on 12 - 14 hours daily. If it is warm enough, setting them outside for a few hours a day to get some natural sun is a great idea. An excellent system for planting seeds is known as APS (Accelerated Propagation System), which you can get from Gardener Supply or make yourself. APS self-waters can last for many years, making them a convenient, long-lasting option. Alternately, recycled egg cartons, yogurt cups, and K-cups also make great seed planters. Make sure you get fresh, seed starting mix specific soil. Planting seeds are sure to yield a great experience!
