Starting your plants from seeds is both rewarding and budget-friendly! By nurturing your seedlings from the very beginning, you give them a strong, healthy start to the growing season. Here’s how you can make the process easy and successful.

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Germination: The First Step

Germination success depends on the type of plant. Vegetable seeds usually sprout quickly and reliably, while flower seeds can be a bit slower and more delicate. No matter what you’re growing, seeds need warmth and moisture to sprout. Once they’ve germinated, it’s time for what the British charmingly call “pricking out.”

A Simple Trick: Using Vermiculite for Germination for Tiny Seeds

If you’re working with tiny seeds, instead of planting seeds directly in trays, try starting them on a layer of dampened vermiculite. This method often leads to quicker, easier germination. Once they’ve sprouted, they’re ready to be carefully moved into their new home—a soil block or seed tray.

Pricking Out and Transplanting Seedlings

Choosing between soil blocks and traditional cell trays depends on the type of seedlings you’re growing. Flower seedlings, for example, often start off tiny, making soil blocks a great option. Here’s how to handle this delicate process:

  1. Use a thin skewer to poke a small hole in the soil block.
  2. Gently loosen the seedling from the vermiculite, being careful not to damage its roots. (Vermiculite makes this step much easier!)
  3. Carefully lift the seedling and place it into the hole, covering the roots gently with soil.
  4. Repeat the process until you’ve transplanted all your seedlings—I usually aim for about a hundred!

Monitoring and Nurturing Your Seedlings

Once transplanted, keeping an eye on their environment is key. The most important factors? Avoiding frost and providing strong light! If temperatures stay above freezing at night and the wind is light or nonexistent, seedlings can stay outside unprotected or in a greenhouse. If it’s too cold, keep them under grow lights indoors until they’re strong enough to transition outside.

Start Strong, Finish Strong

By following these methods, you’ll give your seedlings the best start possible, setting them up for a strong, healthy growing season. Growing from seed is not just cost-effective—it’s deeply satisfying and lets you create a truly personalized garden. Happy gardening!