7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden

7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden Follow these easy steps to increase your seeds that germinate and more robust seedlings for the garden. The first step in improving germination is understanding the seeds' purpose and why they function. A seed is a completely self-contained little wonder that carries inside it everything it requires to start growing and develop into an embryo. It is equipped with a food storage facility and all the essential information needed to grow, including knowing that the right conditions exist for it to sprout. Once the seed is created, it goes into dormancy. It is sleeping and breathing. Yes, it is breathing. It is taking in oxygen and exchanging carbon dioxide. The seeds in this state could last a long time and still remain viable, because it takes very little energy to remain in the dormant state. To ensure that seeds remain dormant and to extend their life be sure to keep them in a cool , dry location in a shaded area away from direct sunlight. 1. Be consistent to achieve consistent results. Once a seed perceives that the right conditions exist for it to sprout, it will begin to change. It then becomes active which means that the process of germination gets in motion. Germination requires a stable ideal environment for a successful sprout. Any interruption in this process will reduce the chance of success., The seed has an inordinate amount of stored energy and should you give it the signal to start its journey and then turn that signal off the seed will not have enough energy to restart the process. Drying out or being exposed to extreme temperature changes can both make the germination cycle end in failure. Be certain once you begin to germinate seeds, they remain moist and maintain temperatures, cool nights that are a normal part of the process for seeds that are outside is one thing, searing temperatures or drought could hinder the process of germination. 2. Use appropriate seed starting mix for best results. Seeds do not need fertilizers or plant food to grow, and these nutrients can inadvertently feed bacteria, algae, moss or other organisms which will wait for the seed to sprout and then eat the seed. Preparing the Mix for Planting Your Seeds Prepare your germinating mix using equal parts perlite and peat as well as a seed starter mix. Potting soil is a viable option in the absence of fertilized prior to use. Also, well-composting material can be used, but be sure to stay clear of partially composted material. Compost should be crumbly and fine without large pieces. TIP: Use Coir instead of peat in your sprouting mix; it is a renewable coconut husk that holds water exceptionally well. Mix with perlite to avoid over saturation of the potting medium. Be sure to purchase the finest powder based Coir and not the "chipped" coir which is not as fine and may have fiber chunks that can impede seedling growth. 3. Use clean containers with good Drainage Holes for Spouting your seeds Reduce the risk of 'damping off' the seedlings of your young by making sure that the containers are clean. Clean containers can prevent the risk of mold, bacteria, and other harmful organisms from developing and harming the germinating seed. Make sure your container has adequate drainage by drilling holes into at the base of your container. Alternately, you could make use of rolled newspaper or newsprint or peat pots that allow moisture to evaporate through their walls. This will also allow the potting mix to draw water in through the sides and down the sides inside the container. 4. Clean and used containers that are cleaned using Hydrogen Peroxide, شكل بذور الملوخية not Bleach. Clean any used containers to be used to sprout seeds by using hydrogen peroxide 3% solution. The best method is to first wash the container using hot water and dish soap. then rinse it in the bath with 33% hydrogen peroxide for 10 to 15 minutes. This also comes with the advantage that it is completely safe for the future plant or to you, as the'residual by-product' from h2o2 is oxygen. This is what that the seed needs in order for proper sprouting. 5. Soak or Pre-Sprout Seeds Before Planting To Improve Results and Reduce Germination Time. Pre-soaking seeds or even pre-germinating them can significantly increase the chances of germination and reduce the time required to germinate seeds for the garden. Using the Paper Towel Packet to Pre-germinate Your Seed: Create a solution of.05 to 1.0 percent hydrogen peroxide in clean filtered or distilled water. With normal paper towels, lay flat and saturate the towel in the mixture. Spread the seeds you want to germinate on the middle of the towel in a single layer. Fold the sides of the paper towel until you've created a small packet about one quarter larger than the entire paper towel. Set the packet with the extra toweling over it in a clean dish in a slightly warm (65 to 75 degree) place out of the direct light or air circulation. Put the dish in a place that you aren't likely to forget to keep it moist. Note: Seeds do not require light to sprout (except for lettuce, but the lettuce seed is typically grown directly in the garden or in its final place of growing and is best sprinkled over the soil, not over.). Other germinating seeds can be stored in a cupboard or on a shelf anywhere that does not see extreme temperature fluctuations or direct sunlight which will result in drying the paper towel packet. It is possible to keep the seed in this little paper towel packet until it sprouts, making sure to re-moisten it by spraying it with a few drops from the remedy at least once per day or more frequently in dry conditions. Note: If you are planting seeds indoors in winter in a heated house this will require paying attention, as the paper towel will dry more quickly. Some prefer to cover the seed packets with a bit of plastic wrap. If you decide to do so, do not seal the seeds up tight - leave gaps for air to circulate in and out the edges; the seeds will grow faster and you won't risk being too damp; keep in mind that they're breathing air during this process. Using the Soaking Method to Jump Start Germination: Alternately, soak the seed in a small dish of the water solution overnight. Simply fill the dish with water and put the seeds into the solution. Soak them for 8 to 24 hours prior to planting for best results... Whether you simply soak the seeds in water or put them in the paper towel, you can plant them at any point after the first 8 hours of soak, or for 24 hours after soaking in the towel. Using the paper towel method, you can actually wait until they have sprouted and then plant them to get a head start on the entire process. Be on the lookout for the first spur of the new plant to appear. Once the little spur is evident, you are able to plant the seed germinating in soil. This can save up to two weeks of the time to germination. 6. Correctly prepare your container with the Planting Mix Make sure containers are filled with loosely packed ingredients and shake gently to get the mixture to settle. Placing the container on a counter or table helps to fill the container without compacting the mixture too excessively. Use the edge of a clean knife or trowel to scrape across the surface of the container to create an even, level surface. Do not overtamp or overfill the mixture before placing the seeds. Remember, the seed needs air spaces in the soil to breathe. If you are planting seeds that have not been spotted or sprouts that are early, make small holes inside the container using your fingers or place the seed lightly on the soil. Cover the seed with soil and lightly tap on top of the seed. Most seed needs to be planted to an extent of 2 to 3 times its own diameter. For instance, a pea that measures 1/4 inch in diameter, needs to be planted 1/2 to 1/4 inch in depth within the soil. Seeds smaller than that can be sprinkled on the soil's on the soil's surface. Sprinkle the seeds that are smaller with the mix in a thin layer and then gently tap them using the flat of your hand. Make sure the soil is damp (not damp) and cover the container with a loose fitting plastic to help retain moisture. The best way to maintain the same level of moisture in seed beds is to water from the base. Set the containers in a shallow tray of water filled approximately 1/4-1/2 inch deep with pure water. Seedlings will pull water into the container . You will not have to worry about washing out the seed by top watering. Vegetable produce bags available from the grocery store work well because they are slim and can be left open on one side. The container can be inserted into the bag sideways. When the sprouts have popped up from the ground, you need to remove the plastic covering. Begin to watch for the first two leaves to emerge, as this is your signal that it's time to feed your little sprout a little compost tea or diluted the liquid food for plants. Be careful not to burn or overfeed it: remember, it's still a baby. As you wouldn't give a newborn steak, you shouldn't feed your baby plant an adult plant size meal , or it'll likely die from the shock. 7. Plants should be stimulated and provided with Adequate Light for Strong Stems and healthy plants If you are sown seeds in your home and in greenhouses they'll require some stimulation to grow sturdy stems. You can achieve this by either installing a small fan to circulate air over them , or by gently brushing them with your fingers every day for a couple of minutes. This will prevent the seedlings from becoming weak and 'leggy'. Now that they have sprouted, they also need sufficient light. A sunny window on the south side of the house, or a sunny outdoor spot in the daytime will do perfectly. Be sure to bring seedlings indoors at night when it's still past the last date for frost or the nights are cool. By gradually introducing the seedlings to the cooler outdoor temperatures over a series of days, they will be ready to go into the garden. Vegetables with larger seeds, like beans, peas, corn, squash, peppers, melons, eggplants, and tomatoes are all extremely easy to germinate using this method, and can be sown directly into the garden after they have sprouted. To do this, make up a 2 to 3 inches ball of good soil for potting or seed starting mix, شكل بذور الملوخية and then place the seed that has sprouted in the center inside the. Then prepare your spot in the garden. Then, place the soil ball and the seeds that have been spewed in the garden. Gently cover the area with soil. Tip: If you are planting squash, corn beans, peas, beans or any other seeds that are large in this manner, you might prefer to put a covering of shade cloth, plastic or netting over the seeded area to stop birds from taking the seeds you have planted. Birds are extremely clever and can happily spend an entire early morning watching your plant new seeds and then spend their afternoon eating seeds right from the garden! This is especially true of blue jays. smaller seeded vegetables such as celery, carrots and other herbs are a bit more difficult to handle and harder to observe and work with; but the benefits are often just as significant and, in some cases, even more. A lot of seeds require longer to germinate , and this technique can cut down this time period by 2 to 3 weeks. Remember that the new seedlings require the same level of consistency to grow like they did when they germination. Make sure that seedlings are protected from severe winds and extreme temperature changes. Give them enough light, but don't let them get too hot or dry. When your seedlings have formed their first 'true leaves' that is, the leaves that can be distinguished as those of the plant and not as seedling starting leaves, they can begin to prepare to be planted within the backyard. Always allow young seedlings to have a few days of exposure to the outdoors and return them to the indoors in the evening before placing them in the garden. This allows them to adapt to the changing environment before they are transplanted. Once the plants have dried off, put them in the garden during the cool morning hours on an overcast day to reap the most benefits. The hot, sunny weather could make transplants difficult in the first day; so if the weather is sunny and hot, consider transplanting in the evening to allow the new plants time to adjust to the new environment before exposure to a day of intense sun. There's never been better time to plant your own veggies. New innovations in gardening have made it easier than ever before to plant your own organic, healthy food at your home. In a time when there is no way to label GMOs, it is beneficial to know what exactly is in our food, and growing your own food in your garden can give you a real freedom in food.