Growing from seed is fun, easy and economical.
Seeds come in many shapes and sizes and they don’t break dormancy and germinate in the same way or timeframe. They need moisture and temperature combined in the correct range for them to grow.
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Some tips for starting your seeds:
Outdoors:
If you are starting your seeds (or transplants) outdoors, most cool season vegetables, herbs and annual flowers can be sowed directly in the soil (think mid-March) when temperatures permit. Most heat loving vegetables, herbs and flowers will benefit from having soil that is at least 65ºF. Depending on where you live, that might mean pre-warming the soil first. This can be done by covering the beds with a sheet of clear or black plastic for at least a couple of weeks, then removing before planting. In addition to a warmer soil temperature, consider the ambient temperature too.
Seeds have a temperature that is ideal for their germination. Some examples: Basil seeds like a soil temperature of 70ºF, while tomatoes like it a bit warmer – around 65º-85ºF. Peas can be started in mid-March and directly sowed in the garden soil. Our 100-120 day average growing season means some seeds might need to be started indoors, but the general rule for planting outside is 6-8 weeks before the last average frost date for your area. Schedule warm season plants around mid-May to first of June. If you’re not sure what the recommended soil temperature is check the seed packet, as most offer details on specific growing conditions, in addition to the growing time needed before harvesting.
Indoors: Many seeds will sprout fine in average room temperatures but you can increase the germination rate and sprouting time by providing bottom heat. Some examples would be pepper plants, eggplant, basil, melons and gourd seeds. To warm the soil for seed starting, you might use a heating pad or a seed heating mat can be purchased.
Seeds with hard coats might need to be soaked first and is an easy way to help with germination. Some examples would be peas, beans, corn, gourds, and squash. For pre-soaking fill small containers with warm water and add the seeds, making sure all the seeds are covered with an inch or two of water as they will absorb some of the water. Remember to place your seed packet under the container or close by so your seeds and packets don't get mixed up. Pre-soaking for around 4-6 hours is usually sufficient and plan to plant right after soaking.
The seeds will need lots of light once they have germinated. If your seedlings are getting weak and leggy, the issue is almost always lack of light. Seedlings need around 16 hours of light per day, which can be difficult to provide on a windowsill. There are many options you can purchase and can be simple fixtures like warm and cool fluorescent tubes hung on chains from a wooden stand. By hanging the fixtures on chains, they can be easily moved as the plants grow.
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Happy Growing Gardeners!!
Excerpt from National Garden Bureau
Niki Jabbour
Savvy Gardening
Additional information can be obtained from CSU: Colorado Gardening,