Begin
with choosing quality seeds. Seeds are available in a wide variety of
vegetables and ornamentals. The important thing is to select quality seeds and
read the packet.
There is a wealth of information regarding sow rate and depth,
time to germination, as well as a description of the plant.
Then, select your
seed germination supplies. Seed starting trays are available with and without
drainage holes. Inserts are available with a number of seed-holding cells,
though typically there are 72 cells in each tray. These inserts fit into your
seed starting trays. You can start your seeds in individual black form pots, or
biodegradable pots.
These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from
expandable pellets, to round, square and egg carton.
Heat Mats keep the seed starting soil
temperature constantly warm, which promotes larger root systems and sturdier
plants. Heat mats are available for a single tray or two trays. We also carry
large, 4-tray mats and we carry a window sill size mat that is 5" X
24". Humidity domes raise the humidity and hold moisture for your
seedlings.
These domes are 7" high and have two air vents in the top, to
help control condensation. You’ll want
to supplement the light in your house with grow lights. These lights provide
your seedlings with the right kind of light to develop strong plants. Grow
lights are available in Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL) and Fluorescent bulbs.
You can learn more about lighting at: http://theflowerbincolorado.blogspot.com/2014/01/get-your-seeds-started-right-with-right.html.
Seed starting mix is a sterile, soil-less mix,
designed to get your seeds germinated.
This is a handy tool to have. It makes
sowing seed easy and precise. You’ll want to label your trays so you’ll know
the type of seed you’ve planted.
Labels are available in a wood or plastic and
they can follow your seedlings from the starting tray right into the garden.
Fertilizer for seedlings and young plants is important. Once the seed sprouts, the first set of leaves
you see are not true leaves. They’re called cotyledons and they contain enough
food reserves to keep the seed going until the true leaves emerge and the plant
can collecting energy from the light source you’ve provided.
At this point, you
can feed your seedlings with a very mild solution of organic fertilizer, such
as Neptune’s Harvest or Age Old Organics.