Six Steps to Successful and Sustainable Seed Germination
By Lynsey Ruml
Growing vegetables from seed allows gardeners a larger selection of cultivars and more plants at less expense. Buying seeds from a reputable company carrying proven varieties is important for new aspiring gardeners.
We recommend using fresh, viable seeds when first germinating to develop a baseline knowledge of how various cultivars should grow and for the best chances of a successful harvest that rewards first-season efforts. After a season or two, you’ll be able to save your own seeds, trade seeds and plant varieties that require more complex germination techniques.
When to plant seeds
To find your ideal seed starting date, count backwards from your intended planting/transplant date. In my zone 8b climate, for example, I transplant tomatoes and other nightshades when nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees (around May 1). I like to transplant nightshade vegetables when they are 12 weeks old so they are large enough to immediately stake in my windy climate. To transplant 12-week-old plants on May 1, I sow my seeds the first week of February.
For planting advice specific to your local climate zone contact your local university’s Master Gardener Extension Office helpline.
How to help ensure successful germination
Now that you know how to source your seeds and when to plant them, here are six steps to successfully germinate and care for them!
STEP 1 — Mix one tablespoon of ClimateGard into a gallon of seed starting mix. You can also make your own seed starting mix with one part finished compost, three parts well-draining medium (we recommend biochar, sawdust or pine needle) and three parts coconut coir, along with one tablespoon ClimateGard for every gallon of mix. Adding ClimateGard and compost to your seed starting medium allows more time before needing to transplant and reduces the risk of burning young seedlings with uneven topical applications.
STEP 2 — Fill your pots with soil and water until the soil is thoroughly moist. Allow excess water to drain from drainage holes. Upcycled plastic food containers make excellent seed starting pots.
STEP 3 — Poke holes in soil with your fingers or a chopstick to the planting depth specified on seedling packets and drop one seed in each hole. I made three holes in this container for my basil seeds, evenly spaced in a triangle shape. For larger transplants like tomatoes, make one hole in the middle as shown below. Sprinkle a thin layer of soil over the holes.
STEP 4 — Place pots into a seed tray and put on a heat mat in front of a sunny window or under a grow light. We like to use our ClimateGard packaging box as our seed tray. I line the bottom of my ClimateGard box with the self-adhesive bubble packaging from my ‘odd sized’ produce deliveries. Its reflective surface keeps birds from eating my seedlings.
STEP 5 — Keep the soil surface moist. Water pots individually with a watering can, occasionally alternating with a spray bottle on the mist setting to avoid root rot. Watering frequency varies heavily on one’s environment and climate, but it’s crucial to keep the soil moist on top without regularly drenching the entire pot of soil.
STEP 6 — Start hardening off seedlings a couple weeks before transplanting them outside by bringing them to an outdoor sheltered location for an hour, increasing exposure time daily as weather permits. Our ClimateGard box has handles on the side making transporting your seedling much easier and less awkward!
STEP 7 — Avoid bringing plants outside during harsh weather conditions. When hardening-off seedlings, fold the ClimateGard box lid down when needed to protect plants on windy days or when first acclimating to nights. Water pots individually with watering can when soil feels dry down to an inch and mist plants daily in arid climates.
Conclusion
Congratulations on growing your own healthy starts from seed! Transplant into the ground or desired planting place when climate permits! Contact us by email or on Instagram if you have questions about this article or any of our other material, anc check out our YouTube channel for more Climate Farming content!
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Cutting-edge microbiology
No kill formula
Superior plant nutrition derived from the most ethical, sustainable sources available.
Produces the same results as conventional fertilizers without the negative environmental impacts.
Each ClimateGard pellet is infused with micronutrients, silicon, humic acid and a high-performance blend of living bacteria and fungi.
Delivered in an environmentally friendly organic cotton bag with a compostable inner liner.
Will continue to enrich your soil long after application.
$39.95 for 7.5 pound bag | $69.95 for 15 pound bag.