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Gardening - Growing Plants From Seed
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Many people are afraid of growing plants from Bee Seedballs but it is really very simple and anyone can do it. Whatever you really need is patience and diligence.
You'll find nothing more rewarding than scattering a few seeds in the box to see them become real flowers or vegetables. Furthermore, it's a lot less expensive to purchase a few packets of seeds and some compost rather than to buy the equivalent number of plants from a garden centre. Almost all of the true if you have a large garden and want plenty of plants to fill the spaces yet, if your garden is small, you will want to share various packets of seeds using a friend or two. If, say, three of you each grow one variety then you can all have three different types of flowers in your garden or window boxes.
So, to acquire down to essentials: it needs to be the right season. Most annual flowers and summer vegetables including tomatoes, salads, beans, cucumbers, etc. have to be planted in late winter or early spring but perennial plants and vegetables like spring onions ought to be planted in autumn which means you must look into the seed packet. In addition, you need high quality seed compost. Don't skimp about this; you really do get what you pay for and also the cheaper varieties don't support the nutrients that growing seedlings need. You will also need some kind of container, often a tray about 5cm deep by 22cm wide by 35cm long. Specialist seed trays from a garden centre are quite cheap and clearly designed for the point. Alternatively, you can purchase strips of tiny pots, which can be useful when you come to prick out of the seedlings (really that later) and larger seeds, pellets which expand in water and which hold individual seeds.
Fill your seed tray with compost and lightly firm it down together with your hand. Water having a fine rose or spray bottle and be sure not to soak the compost or the seeds will rot; it must be just damp to touch.
The next step is dependent upon the seed that you're planting. If they're tiny including petunia seeds, look into the instructions about the packet but normally you'll have to sprinkle them over the whole surface of your prepared tray and cover with a very fine layer of compost. If the seeds are larger, for example nasturtium, then make individual holes inside the compost with all the end of your pencil or similar and insert your seeds and close the holes gently with your finger. Because of these larger seeds, planting in rows makes life easier afterwards. Again, read the packet, but some seeds need a damp atmosphere to germinate so cover your seed tray with transparent plastic or glass. Some need dark so cover with brown paper.
Once your seeds are planted, retain in a fairly warm place like a south facing windowsill but preferably not in full sun. The seeds will probably not need watering if they are covered in plastic or sealed in a plastic bag - it is possible to tell by the condensation forming on the plastic (or not), but if the compost starts to look dry, water gently or spray from your bottle. Anything you do, don't overwater.
Monitor your seeds and as soon because they are germinating, remove the covering and continue to water as before. When the plants are about 3cm tall and possess developed 2 or 4 leaves, prick (thin) them out so the remaining seedlings have to do with 2cm apart. You can replant the seedlings that you've removed in other seed trays at the same distance apart. Be cautious when handling these, grasping them very gently through the stem, not the leaves. Alternatively, you can transplant the seedlings to individual pots about 5cm across.
When the weather warms up, you can put the seedlings outside during the day and bring them in when darkness falls. This is known as hardening off because it acclimatises the seedlings to outdoor life. Since the plants increase, they can be watered with a normal watering can or fine hose.
When all concern with frost has past, you are able to leave your young plants out at night as well as during they day after about a week, they'll be ready to transplant for their permanent outdoor positions.
Before planting out, supply the plants a great watering and can include the ball of compost inside their newly dug hole since this will continue to provide them with nourishment and definately will prevent an excessive amount of disturbance of the roots.
You'll find nothing more rewarding than scattering a few seeds in the box to see them become real flowers or vegetables. Furthermore, it's a lot less expensive to purchase a few packets of seeds and some compost rather than to buy the equivalent number of plants from a garden centre. Almost all of the true if you have a large garden and want plenty of plants to fill the spaces yet, if your garden is small, you will want to share various packets of seeds using a friend or two. If, say, three of you each grow one variety then you can all have three different types of flowers in your garden or window boxes.
So, to acquire down to essentials: it needs to be the right season. Most annual flowers and summer vegetables including tomatoes, salads, beans, cucumbers, etc. have to be planted in late winter or early spring but perennial plants and vegetables like spring onions ought to be planted in autumn which means you must look into the seed packet. In addition, you need high quality seed compost. Don't skimp about this; you really do get what you pay for and also the cheaper varieties don't support the nutrients that growing seedlings need. You will also need some kind of container, often a tray about 5cm deep by 22cm wide by 35cm long. Specialist seed trays from a garden centre are quite cheap and clearly designed for the point. Alternatively, you can purchase strips of tiny pots, which can be useful when you come to prick out of the seedlings (really that later) and larger seeds, pellets which expand in water and which hold individual seeds.
Fill your seed tray with compost and lightly firm it down together with your hand. Water having a fine rose or spray bottle and be sure not to soak the compost or the seeds will rot; it must be just damp to touch.
The next step is dependent upon the seed that you're planting. If they're tiny including petunia seeds, look into the instructions about the packet but normally you'll have to sprinkle them over the whole surface of your prepared tray and cover with a very fine layer of compost. If the seeds are larger, for example nasturtium, then make individual holes inside the compost with all the end of your pencil or similar and insert your seeds and close the holes gently with your finger. Because of these larger seeds, planting in rows makes life easier afterwards. Again, read the packet, but some seeds need a damp atmosphere to germinate so cover your seed tray with transparent plastic or glass. Some need dark so cover with brown paper.
Once your seeds are planted, retain in a fairly warm place like a south facing windowsill but preferably not in full sun. The seeds will probably not need watering if they are covered in plastic or sealed in a plastic bag - it is possible to tell by the condensation forming on the plastic (or not), but if the compost starts to look dry, water gently or spray from your bottle. Anything you do, don't overwater.
Monitor your seeds and as soon because they are germinating, remove the covering and continue to water as before. When the plants are about 3cm tall and possess developed 2 or 4 leaves, prick (thin) them out so the remaining seedlings have to do with 2cm apart. You can replant the seedlings that you've removed in other seed trays at the same distance apart. Be cautious when handling these, grasping them very gently through the stem, not the leaves. Alternatively, you can transplant the seedlings to individual pots about 5cm across.
When the weather warms up, you can put the seedlings outside during the day and bring them in when darkness falls. This is known as hardening off because it acclimatises the seedlings to outdoor life. Since the plants increase, they can be watered with a normal watering can or fine hose.
When all concern with frost has past, you are able to leave your young plants out at night as well as during they day after about a week, they'll be ready to transplant for their permanent outdoor positions.
Before planting out, supply the plants a great watering and can include the ball of compost inside their newly dug hole since this will continue to provide them with nourishment and definately will prevent an excessive amount of disturbance of the roots.
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