7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden

7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden Follow these simple steps to boost your seeds that germinate and more robust seedlings for the garden. The first step towards increasing germination is to understand what seeds are and how they work. A seed is a completely self-contained, tiny miracle which carries everything it requires to start growing and develop into a seedling. It is equipped with a food storage facility as well as all the information needed to grow, such as knowing that the right conditions exist for it to sprout. After the seed is formed, it is dormant. It is sleeping and breathing. Yes, it's breathing. It is taking in oxygen and exchanging off carbon dioxide. The seeds in this state could endure for a long time and still remain viable, because it requires very little energy to remain in a state of dormancy. To prevent seeds from becoming dormant and to extend their life be sure to keep them in a cool dry place away from direct sunlight. 1. Be consistent to achieve consistent results. If a seed is convinced that the conditions are favorable for sprouting the seed will begin to change. This is when it begins to grow so that the seed's germination procedure is in motion. Germination requires a stable optimal environment to produce a successful sprout. Any interruption in this process could result in less success. The seed has an inordinate amount of stored energy and if you give it the signal to begin its journey, and then shut off that signal then it won't have enough energy to re-start the process. Drying out or exposure to extreme temperature swings could make the germination cycle be unsuccessful. It is essential that when you begin to germinate seeds, they are kept moist and at a low temperature. Cool nights that are a natural element of the process to seeds outside is one thing. Searing heator drought can hinder the process of germination. 2. Use appropriate seed starting mix for best results. Seeds don't require fertilizers or plant food in order to sprout and these nutrient sources can inadvertently feed bacteria, moss, algae or other organisms which will wait for the seed to grow before eating your seeds. Preparing the Mix for Planting Your Seeds Prepare your germinating mix using equal parts perlite and peat moss as well as a seed starter mix. Potting soil is a viable option when it's not fertilized prior to use. Well composted material can also be used, but be sure to stay clear of partially composted material. Compost should be fine and easily crumble with no large pieces. Tips: Consider using coir rather than peat in your sprouting mix; it is a renewable coconut husk material and retains water extremely well. Mix it with perlite to prevent excessive saturation of the potting media. Be sure to purchase the fine powder based Coir, not the 'chipped' the coir, which is not as fine, and could have fiber chunks that could hinder the growth of seedlings. 3. Make sure your containers are clean and have good Drainage Holes to Sprout your seeds Reduce the risk of 'damping off' of young seedlings by making sure containers are clean. Clean containers prevent the risk of mold, bacteria, and other harmful organisms from forming and damaging the germinating seed. Be certain your container has adequate drainage by making holes in on the sides of the vessel. Alternatively, you can make use of rolled newspaper or newsprint or peat pots which allow water to evaporate from their walls. This allows the potting mix to draw water in through the sides and down the sides of the pot. 4. Clean used containers using Hydrogen Peroxide Not Bleach. Clean any containers that are used to be used to sprout seeds by using hydrogen peroxide 3% solution. The most effective method is to first clean the container with dishesoap and water. then rinse it in a bath of the 3% solution for ten to 15 minutes. It also has the benefit that it is completely safe for the future plant or to you, because the 'residual by-product' of h2o2 is oxygen, which the seed actually needs to sprout properly. 5. Soak or Pre-Sprout Seeds Before Planting To Improve Results and Reduce Germination Time. Pre-soaking, or even pre-germinating seeds will greatly boost the rate of germination and cut down the time it takes to start seeds in the garden. Using the Paper Towel Packet to Pre-germinate Your Seed: Make an mixture of.05 to 1.0 percent hydrogen peroxide, in clean filtered or distilled water. With normal paper towels, lay flat and saturate the towels with solution. Spread the seeds you would like to germinate in the center of the paper towel in one single layer. Fold in the sides of the paper towel until you've got a small packet about one quarter the size of the entire paper towel. Set the package with the towel over it in the dish that is clean in mildly hot (65 to 75 degrees) place out of direct sunlight or air flow. Set the dish in a place where you will not be able to forget to keep it wet. Note: Seeds do not require sunlight to germinate (except for lettuce, but it is generally sown directly into the garden or in its final location of growth and should be sprinkled on top of the soil and is not even covered.). Other germinating seeds can be put in a cabinet or an unfinished shelf that does not experience extreme temperature swings or direct sunlight which will cause drying out of the paper towel packet. It is possible to keep the seeds in the paper towel until it sprouts, making sure you re-moisturize it with a spray or two from the remedy at least once a day, or more often in drier conditions. Take note that if you're growing seeds indoors during winter, and in a heated home you must pay careful attention, since the paper towel may dry faster. Some people prefer covering the seeds with a bit of plastic wrap, should you decide to do so, do not seal the seeds up tight - allow air to circulate between the edges. Seeds will grow faster and you won't risk them staying too wet; keep in mind that they're breathing air throughout the process. Using the Soaking Method to Jump Start Germination: You can also soak the seed in an insignificant dish of H2O2 solution for a few hours. Fill the dish with water and place the seeds in the solution. The seeds should be soaked for up to 24 hours prior to planting them for best results... If you just soak the seeds or set on a paper towel or tin, they can plant them at any time after the first 8 hours of soak or for 24 hours after soaking in the towel. Using the paper towel method you can even keep them in the ground until they sprouted to plant them, to jump-start the entire process. Be on the lookout closely for the very first sprout of your new plant appear. When the spur becomes visible, you can place the germinating seed in soil. This can help save two weeks of germination time. 6. Correctly prepare your container with Planting Mix Fill containers loosely and shake gently to get the mixture to settle. Placing the container on a table or counter can help to evenly fill the container without compacting it too excessively. Use the edge of a sharp trowel or knife to scrape the surface of the container to create an even, level surface. Don't tamp down or overfill and compress the mixture prior to placing the seed. Rememberthat the seed needs air spaces to breathe. If you are planting seeds that have not been spotted or early sprouts, create a small depression inside the container using your fingers or lay the seeds gently on the surface of soil. Cover the seed with soil and lightly tap on top of the seeds. Most seeds must be planted at a depth of 2 to three times the size of its own diameter. A pea, for instance, which is 1/4 inch in diameter, needs to be planted between 1/2 and 1/8 of an inch in the soil. The smaller seeds may be sprinkled on the soil surface. The smaller seeds should be covered with a the mix in a thin layer and tamp gently using the flat end of the hand. Make sure the soil is damp (not wet) and أفضل أنواع بذور البرسيم (heavenarticle.com) place the container in a loose fitting plastic to help retain moisture. The best method to ensure an even level of moisture in the seeds is to water from the base. Place containers in a shallow tray of water that is filled about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep with pure water. Seedlings will pull the water into the container and you do not need to be concerned about washing the seeds by top-watering. Vegetable produce bags from the grocer work very well as they are thin and can be left open to one of the ends. Place the container inside the bag sideways. When the sprouts have popped up from the ground, you need to remove the plastic cover. Watch for the first two leaves to emerge and this is your signal to feed your little sprout a little compost tea or diluted water-based plant foods. Take care to not overfeed or burn it. Remember that it is still a baby. Like you wouldn't give a newborn steak, you shouldn't feed your baby plant an adult plant size meal or it will very likely die due to shock. 7. Provide Seedlings with Stimulation and Adequate Light for Strong Stems and healthy plants If you're growing seeds indoors or in a greenhouse they'll require some kind of stimulation to build sturdy stems. This can be achieved by installing a small fan to move the air over them , or by gently brushing them with your fingers every day for a couple of minutes. This can help to ensure that the seedlings don't become fragile and 'leggy'. Now that they have grown, they require sufficient light. A window with a sunny view on the south-facing side of the house, or a spot in the sun in the daytime will do fine. Be sure to bring seeds inside at night, if it is still before your last frost date or the nights are still chilly. In introducing them gradually to the cooler outdoor temperatures over a series of days they will be adequately prepared to enter the garden. Vegetables that have larger seeds, peas, beans and squash melons, peppers, eggplants, and tomatoes are all easy to germinate with this method, and can be sown directly into the garden after they have sprouted. To do this, make the 2 to 3 inch round of suitable potting soil or seed starter mix, and then place the newly sprouted seed inside the center in the. Prepare your space in the garden. Place the ball of soil and the seeds that have been spewed into the garden and gently cover the area with soil. Tips: If you're planting corn, squash beans, peas, beans or any other seeds that are large in this manner, you might need to cover the area with a piece of shade cloth, plastic or net over the seeded area to stop birds from taking your newly planted seed. Birds are extremely clever and will happily spend a day watching as you grow seeds, and then spend the afternoon eating seeds right from your garden! This is particularly true for blue jays. Smaller seeded vegetables, such as celery, carrots and herbs can be a bit difficult to work with and are harder to observe and work with; but the benefits are just as impressive, if not more so. Some seeds take longer to germinate , and this method could cut that time by as much as 2 to 3 weeks. Finally, remember that new seedlings need the same amount of consistency to flourish as they did during germination. Protect seedlings from extreme winds and temperature changes. Make sure that they have enough light and don't let them get too dry or hot. Once your seedlings have developed their first true leaves, that is, the leaves that can be identified as the plant and not the seedling starting leaves, they can begin to prepare to be planted in the garden. Always allow young seedlings to have some days of outdoor exposure and bring them back indoors at night before planting them out in the garden. This allows them to adjust to the new environment before they are moved. After the plants are hardened off, plant them into the garden during the cool mornings on a cloudy day to reap the most benefits. Hot sunny weather can cause transplants to be difficult in the first day; therefore, if it is hot and sunny , think about planting in the evening in order so that the new plants have time to adjust before exposure to intense sun. There's never been a better time to plant your own veggies. Modern gardening techniques make it much easier than ever to grow your own organic, healthy food at your own home. In a world where there is no regulation of GMOs, it is beneficial to be aware of what's in the food we eat, and growing your own food in your garden can give you the freedom to eat what you want.