Seed Hints for the Savvy Gardener… Tips for starting your plants from seed: Would you like to save some money and grow a wider variety of plants in your garden?So who wouldn’t want to do both!Well the answer is in the SEEDS.Raise your own plants for pennies.Here are a few things to think about.
Start with a high quality seed starting mix….these mixes generally have a finer texture which is ideal for small seeds.Make sure the mix is light and fluffy but still hold moisture and be sterile.
Make sure that you have adequate lighting.Fluorescent lights hung four inches over the foliage and lit for 16 hours a day will do the trick.
Keep your starter mix constantly moist…never let it dry out.This could be the death of your seedlings otherwise.Water from the bottom to encourage the roots to grow downward.
Lightly fertilize with a dilute solution after the appearance of the second set of leaves.
Baby plants need to be strengthened.This can be accomplished by running your hands over the tops of the plants…this will strengthen the stems and prepare the young plants for outdoor breezes.
Got TINY SEEDS?Dip the tip of your pencil into moistened soil then touch the tip directly into the small seeds.They will adhere to the pencil.Next place the tip of the pencils back in the mix and gently twist it to allow the seeds to falls off.
Air movement helps prevent young plants from damping off and other fungal problems.Good air movement will help keep your seedlings strong