A key element of success in planting from seed is to always protect seeds and seedlings so that they grow quickly and are ready to perform once they're moved to the garden. Here Gilmer uses marigold seeds (figure A) harvested last season to demonstrate the planting process. Expert tip (Tim Thibault, garden curator): "Damping off" is a term that refers to a variety of fungi that kill seedlings. Instructions: - Select a container like the growing tray shown in figure B and fill with seed medium (often referred to as "seed-starting mix"). Its consistency is different from potting soil the medium is also sterile and disease-free.
- Plant seeds in the seed medium. Rule of thumb: Bury the seed at twice its own depth. In some cases, seeds are so small they should just be dusted with seed medium because burying them too deep might prevent sprouting.
- Label the plants using plastic labels from a nursery or use recycled popsicle sticks and a waterproof marker (figure C). Don't use seed packets to label seeds because the packet will get wet from watering.
- Use a mist sprayer to water you seeds. A hose can often splash and displace the seed medium.
- Cover the growing tray to prevent moisture from evaporating and to help initiate germination.
FYI: - Use bottom heat (not too much) for faster germination. Bottom heaters trick seedlings into thinking it's spring and encourage faster growth.
- Bell jars protect seedlings from late season frost by retaining heat and moisture. Ordinary water bottles with the bottom cut off can be an inexpensive alternative (figure D).
- If you have many seedlings you want to protect, create a mini-greenhouse by attaching two window frames together to form an A-frame (figure E). For maximum sun exposure, place the frames in a north-south direction.
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