Starting plants from seeds can seem intimidating at first, if this is your first time employing this technique. Yet, through garden accessories like a seedling heat mat, planting seeds is actually not that hard at all.
There’s a lot of reasons why people choose to start their plants from seeds. First and foremost, you save a lot of money which might also mean you can explore more interesting varieties and experiment a little. Secondly, it’s a challenge to take your gardening to the next level.
To successfully grow your plants from seeds, you need to find the right timing and follow the appropriate rules towards growth. Generally, your seed packet will contain the information on when the plants should be placed in the garden.
You’ll find vegetables and flowers divided into cool-season and warm-season plants. For cool-season plants, you can generally start your seeds in late January or early February. Comparatively, for warm-season plants, you will need to know how long they take to grow prior to transplanting. For example, eggplant seedlings grow slowly and so they can be started in February for transplanting in mid-April. Now, tomato seedlings require less time to grow and should be started mid-March prior to transplantation at the same time.
As you may have guessed, you can start your seeds indoors and then, transplant outdoors when the soil is warmer. When you start indoors, you need to work to control the temperature, environment, and water they receive. As you nurture your seedlings, your best bet is to use a seedling heat mat to ensure your seeds take.
Beyond temperature, you will also have to look at how much moisture they’re receiving and air circulation. Using a soil mix can be another great method of ensuring they have consistent circulation and moisture. Once your seeds begin germinating, keep them wet. A dry spell is deadly. Also, for most seeds, temperature should be maintained between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Your seeds heat mat gently warming your containers from the bottom assist in germinating them faster and more consistently overall.
As to the container you want to use, select a container with drainage holes at the bottom. Anything can be used as a container, as long as it’s sterilized with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water. Once your seedlings poke their heads out, you can move them off the heat mat and into the bright lights. Use a growth light or move them outside in a protected area. Across this whole process, having a heat mat for plants and seeds is invaluable. You can buy yours today from Living.ca.
