Germination of seed is the process of growing plants directly from seeds, not from buying ready-grown plants or growing the plant by stems. Sprouting seeds is one of the effective ways to germinate seeds. We can also put the seed directly in the soil, But soaking the seed before planting gives better and faster germination of the seed
We germinate vegetable or flower seeds indoors or outdoors usually in early spring, using a few basic procedures and some (DIY) tools. By doing this Plant will get more time to mature before you transplant them to your favourite place. We also need to take care that plants aren’t exposed to extreme heat or extremely cold weather, As it can damage your plant.
Step to germinate seeds
To start begin selecting the seeds that are suitable for the season, opt for new seeds, those that are older than two years might not germinate, Some vegetable or flower seeds might require precise temperatures, while others might not require.
- Prepare the seed-starting soil mix. You can use commercially available seed starter kits, also known as seedling cups or peat pots or, you can fill egg cartons with a growing medium or seed-starting mix. Make some tiny holes for the drainage system on the base of the peat pots/egg cartons.
- Place the seeds in soil or a wet paper towel. Follow the seed packet instructions on how deep to plant the seeds. We can use the rule of thumb which is used to sow seeds at a depth two times the width of a seed. For small vegetable seeds, like tomato seeds, that’s about one-eighth inch to one-fourth inch into the soil. You can lightly press small seeds below the soil surface. You should plant larger seeds, like sunflower seeds, deeper below the soil surface. For soil-less and potentially faster germination, you can place the seeds on top of a moist paper towel, and cover them with a plastic bag. This germination method will likely produce small sprouts in less than a week.
- Place the seeds in a warm location. Check the seed packets to understand the ideal soil temperature for each plant. Then place the seed tray in front of a windowsill that receives partial sun. Avoid hot, direct sunlight, as this might kill the seedlings. You will generally see the greatest success if you grow seedlings at a room temperature of 16 to 22 degrees. In northern climates, you can consider using fluorescent lights, or grow lights, to encourage healthy seedlings.
- Keep the potting mix moist. Seeds need heat and consistent moisture to germinate. Use a spray bottle to keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid overwatering.
- Seedlings to encourage larger plants. Once the seeds sprout and you see small roots emerge from the moist paper towel, you can transplant the sprouts into seedling kits or potting cups, or egg cartons. On the other hand, if you started your seeds in the soil, you can focus on thinning the seedlings in each cup or peat pot after you see sprouts emerge. Use a pair of tweezers to remove all but one or two sprouts. Keep the sprouts that look the largest and healthiest and remove the others. Continue to keep their soil moist but provide good circulation and a proper drainage system.
