Seed Starting 101 - Part I

Greg Holdsworth, contributor

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Ever since I started gardening, I've always had a fascination with seeds, and how they can grow into the beautiful and productive plants we enjoy in our gardens each day. It wasn't until the last few years, that I took on one of the most challenging, yet rewarding aspects of gardening: starting your own transplants from seed.

PART I

1. Advantages of Starting Your Own Seeds

• Access to hundreds of unique and heirloom seed varieties available online or locally  
• Control the seedling/transplant's growth from the beginning
• And of course, a great sense of accomplishment

2. What Do You Need?

Basic eed germination requirements: light, soil, air, water and possibly heat

Light:

• Grow light (strongly recommended) or very sunny window
• Timer - set for a minimum of 12 hours 

Water: 

• Hand-held spray bottle - good quality one with an adjustable nozzle
• Small watering can or pitcher
• Water storage containers - for room temperature water storage

Soil: 

• Soilless seed-starting mix 

If you're mixing your own [not explained in video] you'll need:
• Peat moss or coir
• Vermiculite and/or perlite
• Compost, sifted
• Small garden trowel and cultivator
• Plastic storage bins w/lids 

• Plastic tray or tub - for mixing soil mix and water 
• Seed starting containers or trays - peat, plastic, or your own containers
• Labels - plastic or wood - write plant, variety and date
• Permanent marker or pen 

PART II

3. What Do You Need?, Con't.

• Pen, marker, chopstick, etc. to make planting holes
• Towels or blankets to cover area or for cleanup
• Boxes to hold seedlings - from wholesale clubs and grocery stores
• Seeds - current and prior year's seeds are probably still viable. If they're older, you can test them. 

 
Optional: 

• Heat mat - strongly recommended for seeds that require heat to germinate
• Liquid organic fertilizer - once they start reaching transplant size

 
Not mentioned in video:

• Calendar or notebook (electronic or paper) - to record dates and notes 

4. Mixing the planting mix and water 

• Think the consistency of moist cake

5. Planting and watering seeds 

• Different ways to make planting holes
• Planting seeds
• Watering the soil mix afterwards

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