Spring Seed Germination 2021
Have you started preparing for the Spring? Not every year, I germinate seeds for my flower garden ahead of time. During winter, I just focus on growing winter vegetables outdoors. But this year, I’m not acting lazy and have already started germinating seeds indoors so that, I will have seedlings ready when the spring begins. Covid is still going on strong this year, and I won’t be able to go around shopping for plants like I do every year. So let’s see how I’m doing this year. The other benefit of starting seeds indoors is the tiny delicate seedlings are better protected that way.
For seed germination, I have decided to use disposable cups. These cups can be reused multiple times. I covered each of these cups with a clear plastic bag. This bag will retain moisture inside and creates a mini-greenhouse like structure.
This assembly worked so beautifully that I just moistened the soil once at the time of seed sowing and even after 10 days, I didn’t have to water them again. The soil is still very moist. Each of these cups has 3 holes at their bottom to drain out excess water. Both the bag and the glass can be reused once the seedlings are ready to move to bigger pots. The glasses are clear so it is easy to see the growing roots.
The mix that I used for seed starting is coco coir and vermiculite. Usually, when I start the seeds outdoors, I also add compost and perlite but this time, I just used these two ingredients. I think that worked best because it has been almost 2 weeks and I didn’t have to water them at all. The soil is still perfectly wet, but it is also loose that allows the faster root growth. I started many seeds this time so it was easy to make a seed starting mix. I didn’t sow the seeds very deep but mostly dropped them on the top with hardly any growing media covering it. Since I was covering these cups with a plastic bag the seeds were continuously moist but didn’t rot. You can add perlite or sand to this mix for the seeds that do not like too much moisture but then may have to keep checking on the trays to make sure that the growing media doesn't dry out. I also sometimes germinate the seeds in the sand and that also works great for the first few weeks.
I sowed seeds in two batches. The first batch was mainly herbs and medicinal flowers. The second batch is flowers. When I buy young flower plants in spring, either I get a limited variety of flowers or have to go to many shops to buy different flowers. Also, it becomes an expensive affair. So this year, I’m taking extra pains to design my garden the way I want it to be that too at a very little price. The third batch that I’ll be starting soon is going to be some vegetables and beans. Beans tend to grow fast, so, I’ll wait for a couple of more weeks before I plant them. That way they will be ready to plant outside just when the spring begins.
Let’s begin seed sowing,
The first batch is mainly herbs. I didn’t even have to cover the seeds deep because the plastic bag on the top was going to keep the seeds moist.
Here are the seeds that I sowed are
Herbs section has
- Chamomile
- Lemon Balm
- Alyssum
- Sage
- Tomato
- Lavender
- Chives
All these flowers and leaves are edible. Alyssum flower seeds are poisonous. I’ll put more information about each of these plants as I talk about them individually. But if you are growing herbs make sure that you are not allergic to them and you grow them organically as much as possible.
The next batch has mostly flowers with a few other herb seeds.
I had purchased this mixed flower packet that I had very patiently sorted out by looking at the seeds. I believe, out of these seeds, there were few seeds of cosmos and sunflower. I could identify them from the looks. But don’t really know the other seeds. It is going to be interesting to find out what flowers they grow into.
I have also started beautiful passionflower, snapdragons, mums, marigold, and some other flowers.
Then there were black sesame seeds plants that I wanted to grow this year.
Last year, the seedlings got ruined in spring as the weather keeps changing throughout the day in Texas. Many jokes are made about the drastically changing weather. It is not unusual to experience all four seasons in a day in Texas.
I also had tried germinating Ajwain/ carom seeds many times before but did that mostly outdoors.
The germination rate was always poor and none of the seedlings ever made to a plant. Let’s see how our grow-light+ cheap and easy DIY mini greenhouses work this year.
Just in 2–3 days many of the seeds started emerging. This is the best part of gardening, I believe. Watching tiny seeds germinate. Giving rise to new life. Some people say watching fish in fish tanks relieves the stress.
I think watching seedlings emerge is also a great stress buster. The power in these seeds is amazing, they can make you feel hopeful, happy, and responsible. So let's see how my new babies are doing now after about 10 days.
You can see the seedling are under a grow light. This is the Mars Hydro grow light that I’m using. Then I also have an Aerogarden. I sneaked in some cups near that.
Because these seedlings were not directly under the grow light, They are slightly bent and somewhat thready. But when you place the seed starting trays directly under a grow light at a recommended distance. For Mars Hydro 18–24 inches, then they grow straight up towards the light.
Even after 10 days, the soil is still very moist, the seedlings are covered in condensed water droplets and growing beautifully. I’m so happy that the seeds that I was doubtful about like carom seeds and black sesame have also started germinating. I’m so happy because of this success.
One of the first few seeds that germinated are
Alyssum, chamomile, and the mixed flower seeds that I had. I hope they continue to do well. Another successful germination was lavender. I had two different varieties and they were hard to germinate. Probably the seeds were already old when I purchased the seed packets. I tried germinating them for two years without any success. this time I was not at all hopeful about these seeds so planted both the seeds in one glass and some of the seed have germinated.
Since the glass is clear, I can literally see the roots growing into the growing media. You can see here sunflower roots are growing beautifully. I think soon, I’ll have to separate many of these seedlings and move them to different pots. Overall, the germination rate was pretty good. There are still some of the seedlings that haven’t sprouted like mums, passionflower, and some other flowers. But overall, so far, I’m on the right track. I hope the success continues and all my cuties grow into beautiful plants. keeping fingers crossed. I hope you liked this video. If you haven’t already, then get up and start some of those seed packets that you have or get some new. Happy Gardening!
