How to Grow Your Own Plants from Seeds 🌱

As more people turn to gardening as a hobby or to grow their own food, they are also discovering the benefits of growing plants from seeds.

It's easy to become addicted to watching life emerge from a little seed that you've nurtured yourself. Starting seeds indoors allows you to get a head start on the growing season and get your hands dirty, even if there is still snow on the ground.

Many vegetables, annuals and perennials are easy to grow from seed. It's more economical than buying plants from a nursery and allows you to start plants earlier, like tomatoes and peppers, which take longer to mature.

Many rare and heirloom varieties are only available as seeds, so this is a good way to ensure you get the varieties you want. Here's how to get started.

START WITH SEEDS

Keep it simple: Start with a few varieties so you don't feel overwhelmed. Choose plants that are easy to grow, such as marigolds, nasturtiums and basil, to maximize your chances of success. Prioritize your favorite plants.

Buy seeds: There are thousands of varieties of seeds to grow. Browse nurseries, catalogs and online seed sources. Some companies specialize in seeds suitable for your region.

Know the planting time: Know the average first and last frost dates in your area. Check the instructions on the seed packet to determine how many weeks before the last frost date you should start your seeds indoors for spring plantings. For fall plantings, calculate planting time by taking the number of days or weeks before harvest and counting backwards from the average date of your first frost.

Follow the instructions: Plants have different needs, so it is important to research each variety before planting. Seed packets are a good source of basic information, such as when to sow, seed depth, germination time, fertilization needs and transplanting recommendations.

Some seeds need to be soaked, nicked or cooled before planting. Some seeds need to be covered with a thin layer of soil, others need to be left exposed, while some need darkness to germinate. Take note of germination times. Some seeds germinate in just a few days, while others may take several weeks.

Be organized: Use a calendar, gardening journal or app to track relevant information, such as the last frost date in your area. Keep detailed notes for each variety, such as when to plant, planting date, germination time, fertilizing schedule and when to transplant outdoors.

Store seeds: Many seeds can be stored for more than a year. Store unused seeds in a paper bag (which you can place inside a plastic bag) in a cool, dry, dark place. To test if older seeds are still viable, place a few seeds on a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag and put them in a warm place. Most seeds will germinate in 2 to 14 days.

MATERIALS FOR STARTING SEEDING

Plants have basic needs: light, soil, water and nutrients. As indoor conditions may be less than ideal, seedlings will need a boost to thrive. Maintaining the optimal temperature for germination, using the right soil and providing enough light will allow seedlings to develop into healthy plants.

• Light :

Most indoor environments — even sunny windowsills — lack sufficient light, resulting in spindly, weak plants. Using grow lights helps achieve healthy, vigorous growth. There are several types of lamps suitable for small or large spaces.

• Sun :

Although quality potting soil is suitable for starting seedlings, mixes specifically designed for seed starting are recommended. They are thinner and more porous, allowing better drainage and good contact between the seed and the soil. Use a soil-free mix with no added fertilizers, and make sure it is fresh to avoid disease.

• Containers:

Garden centers and online sites sell a variety of seedling trays and trays. You can also opt for a starter kit, which provides everything you need to get started. Biodegradable pots are particularly suitable for seedlings with fragile roots, because they can be planted directly in the ground.
Household items like paper cups, milk jugs or egg cartons can also be transformed into growing containers. Make sure they are clean and have adequate drainage holes.

STARTING YOUR SOWINGS HAS NEVER BEEN SO EASY WITH ECO-POTS

For a modern alternative to traditional seedling containers, try biodegradable Eco-Pots. Made from renewable resources such as corn, broom grass and sugar beet, they look like petroleum-based plastic pots, but are completely safe and eco-friendly!

When the seedlings are ready for planting, the entire pot can be put directly into the ground, reducing root disturbance. Additionally, the organic nutrients embedded in the pots are released as the containers decompose, helping plants grow larger and faster.

PLANTING THE SEEDS

• Prepare the potting mix: Moisten the potting mix with warm water until it is damp but not soggy. Fill the pots or buckets with soil and press gently to remove air pockets. Leave room to cover the seeds if necessary.
• Sowing the seeds: Plant according to the instructions on the packet. Large seeds, such as beans, can be sown at a rate of 1-2 seeds per pot or pot, while smaller seeds can be lightly sprinkled, with at least 3-5 seeds per pot, as some may not germinate. For varieties requiring light to germinate, lightly press the seeds into the soil to ensure good contact, but do not cover them. Spray the soil surface with water.
• Add labels: For each pot or tray, write the name of the variety and the sowing date on a label.
• Cover containers or seedling trays: Place a plastic bag or dome on top, which will act as a mini-greenhouse to retain heat and humidity. If germination takes more than a few days, uncover occasionally to allow air circulation and prevent moisture buildup.

SEED AND SEEDLING CARE

• Keep warm:

A room temperature between 15 and 24°C is sufficient for most seeds to germinate. However, some seeds require warmer soil, in which case the use of a specialist heat mat may be necessary.

• Provide light:

Some seeds need light to germinate, and it is advisable to use grow lights for 12 to 16 hours a day from the time of sowing. For other seeds, it is possible to wait for seedlings to appear before turning on the lights.
If you are not using light while waiting for germination, check your seeds daily, as missing germination by just 24 hours can result in etiolated seedlings.
The distance between the grow light and the seedlings should be adjusted as they grow. Keep the lights about 2 to 3 inches above the plants. Yellow or brown leaves may indicate the lights are too close, while spindly seedlings may indicate the lights are too far away.

There are many types of grow lights (LED, fluorescent, T5, etc.), and different wattages can also play a role in the right height to choose.

• Ventilation :

Provide good air circulation to prevent damping off, a fungal disease that quickly kills young plants. An oscillating fan on low power, used for a few minutes per day, works well.

• Watering:

Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Do not allow the soil to dry out, as this can prevent germination or kill young seedlings. The first watering can wait until seedlings appear.
Gently mist the surface of the soil to avoid dislodging the seeds. You can also water from below by placing a shallow tray of water under the pots, and let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes or until the top of the soil is moist. Do not leave the pots in water for too long, as this can cause root suffocation or fungal diseases. Use room temperature water to avoid shocking the plants.

• Fertilisation :

Wait for the seedlings to develop their first set of true leaves, which appear after the first leaves called cotyledons. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer at dilute strength every two weeks.

• Thinning out seedlings:

Remove excess seedlings, leaving only one plant per pot or pot. Some plants like tomatoes can be separated and replanted successfully, while others, like poppies, cannot tolerate having their roots disturbed. Cut off extra seedlings at the base with scissors to avoid damaging the roots.

• Transplanting seedlings:

Seedlings grown in starting mix should be transferred to standard potting soil when they begin to develop into larger plants. Varieties like tomatoes and peppers will need to be transplanted into larger containers before planting outdoors.

• Acclimatize plants:

One to two weeks before the last average frost, begin gradually introducing the plants outdoors. Place them in a shaded, sheltered area, gradually increasing their time outside each day. Cover them or bring them inside at night. Gradually expose them to direct sunlight. Seedlings can be left outside without covering at night when temperatures remain above 10°C. Plants should be fully acclimated within 1 to 2 weeks.

• Plant permanently:

Once the seedlings have been acclimated, they can be planted in their final location. Water them before and after transplanting. Avoid planting during the hottest hours of the day.

STARTING SEEDING OUTDOORS

Many plants can be sown directly outdoors. Fast-growing plants like radishes and squash, as well as root vegetables such as carrots and beets, perform best with this method, as do other plants that don't like their roots disturbed , like poppies.

Cool season plants, such as peas and lettuce, can be planted earlier in the season when soil temperatures reach between 4 and 10°C. Sow warm-season plants like cosmos, beans and cucumbers when soil temperatures are at least 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.