subject: The easy lo-cost way to get started growing your own bedding plants from seed [print this page] The easy lo-cost way to get started growing your own bedding plants from seed
How to do it;
Sow your bedding plant seeds during late winter and early spring for best results.
Three-quarters fill your seed tray with compost making sure to break up any lumps. Firm the compost down with the hand or a block of wood, don't overdo the pressure as the roots of your seedlings will need to grow and cannot do this if the compost is too firm.
Top up again to three-quarters if required and firm again. Be sure to level the surface.
What most gardening and seed growing writings do not tell you is that it is best to water your compost in the seed tray before adding the seeds. This is because the flow of water will disturb your compost and of course your seeds.
Water the compost lightly and allow it to drain so as no puddles of water remain on the surface.
You may need to level the compost again after watering, if this is required then level it before sowing the seeds.
Spread your seeds evenly over the surface of the compost.
If your seeds are very fine and dust-like (such as lobelia) then no more compost will be required. Otherwise spread a thin layer of compost over the seeds making sure that all are covered then firm it down.
Some seeds (such as sweet pea) however are bulky enough to handle individually. If this is so then I always use the sharpened end of a pencil to make a small hole in the surface of the compost, drop the individual seed into the hole and then pinch the compost back together over the seed.
Be sure to label your seed trays so you know what they contain (a used margarine tub cleaned out, cut into strips and then written on with a CD marker pen makes excellent seed tray labels), when done put the seed tray in the greenhouse or cold frame, if you don't have a greenhouse or cold frame then a cool indoor windowsill offers a good alternative. In a future article I will be guiding you on how to build your own super-effective minimal cost greenhouse of cold frame.
Check the progress of your newly sown seeds daily and water lightly if necessary, moist' is all that's required. Try and use water of the same temperature of the seedlings and compost, they hate a cold shower, so try to store the water in the same location. With seeds and young seedlings I find it best to use a light spray to water the trays, hand operated horticultural grade spay canisters are available from most DIY, garden centre and large supermarket outlets for a small price - or alternatively a pre-used household detergent spray bottle works just fine, as long as it is all cleaned and rinsed thoroughly before hand.
If you have any small sheets of glass or sheets of clear solid plastic or Perspex then you should cover your seed trays with this as it will help to retain moisture as the water evaporates - much like the lid of a saucepan on the hob.
After a while - usually a few days but can take a week or two, so be patient - small leaves will begin to appear on the surface.
Congratulations! Your seeds have germinated!
Continue to water sparingly and allow them to grow. The first two leafs to appear are the primary leafs which are not usually the same shape as the adult leafs, these will die and fall of as the secondary leaves grow. The secondary leafs however will show signs of the right leaf shape for the plant you are trying to produce and will continue to grow and sprout more of these as the plant develops.
With the right care after a few weeks when your young seedlings reach a height of about half an inch (1.25 cm) to an inch (2.5 cm) your seedlings will be ready for pricking out'.
Of course this is just the basic standard procedure. Always refer to the information on the seed packet for the best results.
I will be guiding you through the process of pricking out' in my next article. In the meantime if you would like to reserve your copy of my new budget gardening ebook coming out soon, or to ask advice on the above or any other gardening related topic, then please feel free to email me and I will be glad to help.
