There’s nothing more rewarding than growing your own greenery from a tiny seed. Here’s Intelligro’s guide on how to raise seeds and give them the healthiest start.
Seeds need 3 main conditions to germinate;
HEAT, AIR AND MOISTURE
Raising your seeds in trays means you can easily control these conditions.
Getting Started
Here’s some tips for getting those little seeds sprouting
Sow Seeds in Trays
This will protect your seeds from weather and pest as well as offer optimal drainage to avoid rotting off. Most seeds should be sown in trays as new shoots are tender and small and can find it difficult to push through the soil’s crust.
Don’t forget to label your trays.
Quality of your seeds
Keep your seeds sealed until you’re ready to use them. Once the sachet is opened, the seed is exposed to light, moisture and heat, causing it to deteriorate. An opened packet of seed should be used within six months.
Use Seed Raising Mix
Use a seed raising mix rather than a garden soil as these mixes are especially formulated to a fine texture to give the best chance of germination. For the best results use Intelligro Seed Raising Mix.
Hardening Up
If seedlings have been grown indoors they will be “soft” and therefore need to be “hardened off” or getting used to outdoors before planting into the garden.
Place seedlings outside during the day and bring them in at night for up to two weeks, then the seedlings will be ready to plant in the garden. Keep seedlings well watered during this process and water them well before planting into the garden.
Pricking Out
Shortly after germination two juvenile leaves appear. Wait until the seedling produces two true leaves – which look very different to the first two juvenile leaves – before putting into another container or straight into the garden.
Using a pencil, gently dig beneath the seedling and lift it carefully by the leaves. Tease the seedlings apart. Make a hole in the soil big enough for the seedling, place seedling and firm soil around it.
Water in well.
Sowing Directly into your garden
Seeds can be sown directly into the garden. Here’s how;
- Prepare the soil by digging in generous quantities of peat or compost. Level and smooth the
soil surface. - Follow the instructions on the packet or as a general rule plant the seed in rows approx 5cm deep
- Firm the soil around the seed with your hand. For best results always sow seeds into damp soil.
- When seedlings appear, thin to the desired spacing. Beware of slugs and snails at this stage as they love these tender young plants.
Things to keep an eye on
Damping off
This is caused by soil borne fungus. Seedlings collapse due to poor drainage, lack of ventilation and over watering.
Seeds fail to germinate
Because they are planted too deep. Follow seed packet recommendations.
Over watering
The Intelligro Seed Raising Mix should be damp and not wet.
