7 Tips for Successful Seed Germination for the Home Vegetable Garden
Follow these simple steps to boost your rate of germination and healthier seeds for your garden.
The first step towards increasing germination is to understand the nature of seeds and how they do what they do.
A seed is a self-contained, tiny miracle that carries inside it everything it needs to sprout and grow into a seedling. It is equipped with a food storage facility and all the important information it needs to grow, including knowing what conditions are ideal for it to sprout.
When the seed has been formed, it is dormant. It is sleeping and breathing. Yes, it's breathing. It's taking in oxygen and exchanging off carbon dioxide. In this state, seeds can last a long time and remain viable because it takes very little energy to remain in the state of dormancy. To keep seeds dormant, and prolong their longevity be sure to keep them in a cool dry place in a shaded area away from direct sunlight.
1. Keep it consistent for the same results.
Once a seed perceives that the right conditions exist for it to sprout the seed will begin to transform. It then begins to grow and the germination process can be set into motion. Germination requires a constant perfect environment to ensure a successful sprout.
Any interruption in this process could result in less the chances of success. The seed has an inordinate amount of stored energy and if you signal it to start its journey and then shut off that signal the seed will not have enough energy to restart the process. Drying out or being exposed to extreme temperature changes could make the germination cycle be unsuccessful.
Be certain once you begin to germinate seeds, they are kept moist and at a low temperature. Cool nights that are a normal element of the process to seed out of doors is one thing, searing heat, or drought will end the process of germinating.
2. Use appropriate seed starting mix for best results.
Seeds do not need fertilizers or food sources to develop, and the nutrient sources can accidentally feed bacteria, moss, algae or other
organisms that are waiting for seeds to sprout and then eat the seed.
Preparing the Mix for Planting Your Seeds
Prepare your germinating mix using equal parts perlite and peat moss or a commercial seed mix. Potting soil is a viable option in the absence of pre-fertilized. Well composted material can also be utilized; however, be cautious to avoid materials that are partially composted. Compost should be crumbly and fine without large pieces.
TIP: Use coir rather than peat in your mix for sprouting. It is a natural coconut husk that holds water extremely well. Mix it with perlite to prevent excessive saturation of the potting medium. Also, be sure to purchase the finest powder based Coir and not the "chipped" coir which is not as fine and will contain fiber clumps that can hinder seedling growth.
3. Make sure your containers are clean and have good Drainage Holes for Sprouting Your Seeds
Reduce the chance of 'damping off' young seedlings by making sure containers are kept clean. Clean containers can prevent the growth of molds, bacteria, and other potentially hostile organisms from developing and harming the seed that is germinating.
Make sure the container is able to drain by making holes in the bottom of the container. Alternately, you could make use of rolled newspaper or newsprint or peat pots which allow water to evaporate from their walls. This will also allow the potting mix to pull water into the sides and down the sides of the container.
4. Clean and used containers that are cleaned with Hydrogen Peroxide Not Bleach.
Clean all containers that can be used for the sprouting of seeds by using the hydrogen peroxide solution. The best way to do this is to first wash the container with dishesoap and water, and then rinse it in a bath of 33% hydrogen peroxide for 10 to 15 minutes. This also comes with the advantage of being completely non-toxic to the future plant or to you, because the 'residual by-product' from h2o2 is oxygen. This is what the seed actually needs to grow properly.
5. Soak or Pre-Sprout Seeds Before Planting To Improve Results and Reduce Germination Time.
Pre-soaking or even pre-germinating seed can significantly increase the chances 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 a solution of.05 to 1.0 percent hydrogen peroxide, in clean filtered or distillated water. With normal paper towels, lay flat and saturate the towel in the mixture.
Spread the seeds you would like to germinate on the middle of the towel in a single layer.
Fold both sides of your towel, until you've created tiny packets that are approximately one-quarter larger than the paper towel.
Set the package with the extra toweling on top in a clean dish in a moderately warm (65 to 75 degree) place out of the direct sunlight or air flow.
Set the dish in a place that you won't forget to keep it moist.
Note: Seeds do not need light to germinate (except for lettuce, however it is generally grown directly in the garden or the final location of growth and should be sprinkled over the soil, not placed in a container.). All other germinating seed can be put in a cabinet or a shelf anywhere that does not see extreme temperature fluctuations or direct sunlight which will tend to dry out the paper towel.
It is possible to keep the seeds in this little paper towel packet until it starts to sprout. Make sure that you moisten it by spraying it with a few drops of the solution at least once per day or more frequently in drier conditions.
Be aware that if you are sprouting seeds indoors in winter, in a warm house it is important to pay close attention as the paper towel may dry faster.
Some prefer to cover the seeds with plastic wrap, should you choose to do this but don't seal the seeds tight. allow air to move between the edges. Seeds will sprout quicker and you will not have the risk of them staying too wet; be aware that they're still breathing air in this 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. Simply fill the dish with water and then place the seeds in the solution. Let them soak for between 8 and 24 hours before
planting to get the best results...
If you soak the seeds or place on a paper towel or tin, they are able to plant them any time after the initial 8 hours of soak, or 24 hours in the paper towel.
Using the paper towel method you can even keep them in the ground until they sprouted to plant them, for a jump start on the whole process.
Be on the lookout in anticipation for the first plant spur to grow. Once the little spur is evident, you are able to plant the seed germinating in soil. This can help save a couple of weeks in the time to germination.
6. Make sure that your container is properly prepared with Planting Mix
Fill containers loosely and shake them gently to allow the mix to settle. Tapping the container lightly on the counter or
حشيشة السودان table can help to evenly fill the container, without compressing it too much.
Use the sharp edge of a clean trowel or knife to scrape the surface of the container to make a level, even surface. Do not tamp down or overfill the mixture before placing the seed. Rememberthat the seed needs air space in the soil to breathe.
When planting seeds with no spots or sprouts that are early, make small indentation within the container using your fingers or lay the seeds gently on the surface of soil.