Nutrients for Plants
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#10: Indoor Seed Starting and Germination
7. Thin seedlings so they have plenty of room for their roots to grow. Shortly
after your seeds have germinated and soon after they’ve developed their first true
leaves, you’ll want to transplant them into a deeper container with a richer growing
medium. I use an old dishpan to mix up one batch of transplant mix at a time.
I use a good potting soil and mix in two large scoops of mineral-rich plant food per
dishpan. A kitchen fork works great to lift your seedlings out gently. Do not lift by the
stems, as they are very fragile at this point.
8. From the start, seeds contain all of
after your seeds have germinated and soon after they’ve developed their first true
leaves, you’ll want to transplant them into a deeper container with a richer growing
medium. I use an old dishpan to mix up one batch of transplant mix at a time.
I use a good potting soil and mix in two large scoops of mineral-rich plant food per
dishpan. A kitchen fork works great to lift your seedlings out gently. Do not lift by the
stems, as they are very fragile at this point.
8. From the start, seeds contain all of
9. Watch your seedlings and check for signs of wilting. If they droop, don’t pour
on more water. Wilted plants should be kept shaded and cool until they perk up, which
shouldn’t take more than a day or two. Temperatures should average approximately
70º Fahrenheit in the day and 60º Fahrenheit at night.
10. The light that a plant receives makes it possible for the leaves to
manufacture starches and sugars. But a period of darkness is necessary for the
plants to put these new compounds to use. Plants don’t rest at night; they digest and
grow!
11. Harden off your seedlings before planting them outdoors. Slowly introduce them to
sunlight, wind, and cooler temperatures over a period of a week or so before actually
planting outdoors.
One of the best books to learn more about seed starting is called The New Seed-
Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel, Rodale Press.
(Jean Kerbel lives in Vermont and has been gardening organically for 27 years. She
has been a Vermont Master Gardener for 7 years and represents her district as an
advisor to the Board for the University of Vermont’s Master Gardener program. Jean
has used this mineral-rich plant food since its inception.)
on more water. Wilted plants should be kept shaded and cool until they perk up, which
shouldn’t take more than a day or two. Temperatures should average approximately
70º Fahrenheit in the day and 60º Fahrenheit at night.
10. The light that a plant receives makes it possible for the leaves to
manufacture starches and sugars. But a period of darkness is necessary for the
plants to put these new compounds to use. Plants don’t rest at night; they digest and
grow!
11. Harden off your seedlings before planting them outdoors. Slowly introduce them to
sunlight, wind, and cooler temperatures over a period of a week or so before actually
planting outdoors.
One of the best books to learn more about seed starting is called The New Seed-
Starters Handbook by Nancy Bubel, Rodale Press.
(Jean Kerbel lives in Vermont and has been gardening organically for 27 years. She
has been a Vermont Master Gardener for 7 years and represents her district as an
advisor to the Board for the University of Vermont’s Master Gardener program. Jean
has used this mineral-rich plant food since its inception.)
When using a sunny window, turn plants
daily to prevent a permanent tilt as plants
stretch toward the light. You can use a
backdrop of shiny aluminum foil for more
light reflection. If you’re using indoor grow
lights, place them very close to seedlings -
no more than 6” above the plant tops. By
suspending shop lights on chains, you can
raise them up as plants grow. Cool
fluorescent fixtures are sufficient, although
full-spectrum lighting may be used if
available. Keep the lights on 16 hours a day.
A timer is a big help in this regard.
The absolute minimum light that seedlings
need is 10 hours, and 18 hours of light is
too much.
daily to prevent a permanent tilt as plants
stretch toward the light. You can use a
backdrop of shiny aluminum foil for more
light reflection. If you’re using indoor grow
lights, place them very close to seedlings -
no more than 6” above the plant tops. By
suspending shop lights on chains, you can
raise them up as plants grow. Cool
fluorescent fixtures are sufficient, although
full-spectrum lighting may be used if
available. Keep the lights on 16 hours a day.
A timer is a big help in this regard.
The absolute minimum light that seedlings
need is 10 hours, and 18 hours of light is
too much.
the nutrients they need to begin their
growth. I don’t begin fertilizing until after I
have transplanted. For two weeks, about
every three days, I use a very dilute
solution of a liquid kelp fertilizer that is a 2-
4-2 mix. That means that it has a larger
amount of phosphorous to promote strong
root growth, which is so important at this
time.
At the end of two weeks, I switch to using
a dilute solution of our plant food, which
contains a vast array of micronutrients
from volcanic rock dust and freshwater
organic micro-algae. This is the best
fertilizer I’ve found to support the plant’s
immunity and to encourage lush green
foliage.
growth. I don’t begin fertilizing until after I
have transplanted. For two weeks, about
every three days, I use a very dilute
solution of a liquid kelp fertilizer that is a 2-
4-2 mix. That means that it has a larger
amount of phosphorous to promote strong
root growth, which is so important at this
time.
At the end of two weeks, I switch to using
a dilute solution of our plant food, which
contains a vast array of micronutrients
from volcanic rock dust and freshwater
organic micro-algae. This is the best
fertilizer I’ve found to support the plant’s
immunity and to encourage lush green
foliage.
| Click on this picture for more information about the Garden Starter System. |
by Jean Kerbel, Master Gardener
Planting and watching garden seeds spring to life is one of the most rewarding events
in a gardener’s year. While a greenhouse is ideal, many gardeners use a sunny
windowsill, and some, like myself, raise healthy plants in a dark basement with a row of
fluorescent grow lights.
Starting plants indoors gives them a jump on the season. Also, you’ll find much more
plant variety if you shop for seeds. Some rather interesting plants are available in seed
form only.
Heirloom Organics – Non Hybrid and Survival Seeds -
Park Seed Co.--
Follow these tips for starting seeds in the early spring:
1. Don’t start your seeds too early. Different seeds require different starting dates.
Seed packets usually tell how many weeks to start seeds before transplanting. Count
backwards from the recommended time to determine when to start seeds indoors.
Here’s a general timetable:
2. Gather your equipment (flats or other containers, calendar, germinating non-soil
mix, seeds, watering can, labels and marker; soil thermometer, fan, and lights), and
then prepare your work space.
3. Fill your clean, sterilized flats with a non-soil starting mix (generally a
combination of perlite, vermiculite, and peat). Starting seeds indoors with regular
garden soil is the surest way to introduce fungi that cause “damping off” disease. You’ll
know you have this problem if your tiny seedlings keel over in patches or if a fine,
cottony “wool” appears on the soil surface.
If a “damping off” fungal infection occurs, pull out and toss any dead seedlings and
spray the remaining seedlings and soil surface with chamomile tea. To make, pour one
cup boiling water over ¼ cup dried chamomile blossoms (available where bulk herbs
are sold). Let sit until cool, and strain into a spray bottle. Chamomile has anti-fungal
properties that can help with fungal infection. I have also used a very dilute solution of
“Alpha Gold” - ½ capsule to one quart of water.
4. Cover the seed with a bit more of the planting mix. (Some flower seeds need
light to sprout and these you do not cover. It should say on the seed packet). Seeds
should normally be covered to a depth of three times their size. Keep soil uniformly
moist but not soggy. Maintain the air temperature at 65º to 80º Fahrenheit for best
results. Providing bottom heat with heat tape, a heating pad protected from moisture, or
even an old electric blanket will speed up the germination process. Cover the entire
seed flat and place it somewhere warm.
5. Germination time will vary from seed to seed and species to species.
However, the process is always the same. The first step is the absorption of water. As
the seed swells it develops considerable pressure that eventually ruptures the seed
coat allowing the root to emerge. Meanwhile, internal metabolic changes are gearing up
for growth. Germination is dependent on several factors: the condition of the seed, the
presence of water, sufficient soil air space, temperature, and darkness.
6. Provide plenty of light after seeds germinate.
Planting and watching garden seeds spring to life is one of the most rewarding events
in a gardener’s year. While a greenhouse is ideal, many gardeners use a sunny
windowsill, and some, like myself, raise healthy plants in a dark basement with a row of
fluorescent grow lights.
Starting plants indoors gives them a jump on the season. Also, you’ll find much more
plant variety if you shop for seeds. Some rather interesting plants are available in seed
form only.
Heirloom Organics – Non Hybrid and Survival Seeds -
Park Seed Co.--
Follow these tips for starting seeds in the early spring:
1. Don’t start your seeds too early. Different seeds require different starting dates.
Seed packets usually tell how many weeks to start seeds before transplanting. Count
backwards from the recommended time to determine when to start seeds indoors.
Here’s a general timetable:
- Onions: 12–14 weeks before the safe planting-out date (April 15–May 1)
- Peppers: 8–12 weeks before the last frost
- Eggplant & Tomatoes: 6–8 weeks before the last frost
- Lettuce: 5–6 weeks before the safe planting out date (April 20–May 1)
- Cole Crops (broccoli, cabbage, collards, etc.): 5–6 weeks before the safe
planting out date - Cucumbers & Melons: 2–4 weeks before the last frost
2. Gather your equipment (flats or other containers, calendar, germinating non-soil
mix, seeds, watering can, labels and marker; soil thermometer, fan, and lights), and
then prepare your work space.
3. Fill your clean, sterilized flats with a non-soil starting mix (generally a
combination of perlite, vermiculite, and peat). Starting seeds indoors with regular
garden soil is the surest way to introduce fungi that cause “damping off” disease. You’ll
know you have this problem if your tiny seedlings keel over in patches or if a fine,
cottony “wool” appears on the soil surface.
If a “damping off” fungal infection occurs, pull out and toss any dead seedlings and
spray the remaining seedlings and soil surface with chamomile tea. To make, pour one
cup boiling water over ¼ cup dried chamomile blossoms (available where bulk herbs
are sold). Let sit until cool, and strain into a spray bottle. Chamomile has anti-fungal
properties that can help with fungal infection. I have also used a very dilute solution of
“Alpha Gold” - ½ capsule to one quart of water.
4. Cover the seed with a bit more of the planting mix. (Some flower seeds need
light to sprout and these you do not cover. It should say on the seed packet). Seeds
should normally be covered to a depth of three times their size. Keep soil uniformly
moist but not soggy. Maintain the air temperature at 65º to 80º Fahrenheit for best
results. Providing bottom heat with heat tape, a heating pad protected from moisture, or
even an old electric blanket will speed up the germination process. Cover the entire
seed flat and place it somewhere warm.
5. Germination time will vary from seed to seed and species to species.
However, the process is always the same. The first step is the absorption of water. As
the seed swells it develops considerable pressure that eventually ruptures the seed
coat allowing the root to emerge. Meanwhile, internal metabolic changes are gearing up
for growth. Germination is dependent on several factors: the condition of the seed, the
presence of water, sufficient soil air space, temperature, and darkness.
6. Provide plenty of light after seeds germinate.