Move the container to a warm, draft-free spot where you can check it daily. Most seeds germinate best when the temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but check the information on the seed packet for specifics.
Place the seeds in a warm location.
Check the seed packets to understand the ideal soil temperature for each plant. Then place the seed tray in front of a windowsill that receives partial sun, or place the seed kits on a heating mat to maintain an even temperature and light. South-facing windows generally work well.
Plant extra seeds, because it's likely not all of them will germinate; you'll thin out the extra ones later. After sowing, set the containers in a warm location. On top of the refrigerator or near a radiator are usually good spots. Check your pots every day for signs of growth!
All seeds need water, oxygen, and proper temperature in order to germinate. Some seeds require proper light also.
In many regions (including New England and Midwest), there are not enough growing days for those plants to get to harvest if they're started outside. Starting seeds indoors allows you to gain a few precious weeks of growing time, which can really make a difference.
Most seeds will not germinate without sunlight and will perform best with 12 to 16 hours each day. Indoors, place seed containers in a sunny, south-facing window and give the container a quarter turn each day to prevent the seedlings from overreaching toward the light and developing weak, elongated stems.
In general, you should start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date in your area. For example, our average last frost date here in growing zone 4b (Minneapolis, MN) is May 15th.
Not all seeds have the same light requirements. Most seeds germinate best under dark conditions and might even be inhibited by light (e.g., Phacelia and Allium spp.). However, some species (e.g., Begonia, Primula, Coleus) need light to germinate (Miles and Brown 2007).
The presence of light tends to inhibit their growth. The light decomposes carbonic acid gas and expels oxygen which leads the seed to harden. These gases are key factors that promote germination. In dark environments, the gases remain undisturbed and germination is favoured.
Light is not necessary for a seed to germinate, no. The majority of seeds grow most effectively in the dark. Light, which is essential for seedling growth, may actually hinder the germination process. The three primary and necessary conditions for a seed to germinate are water, oxygen, and temperature.
Until seeds have sprouted, keep the seed bed moist, never allowing it to dry out. Water with a fine-spray hose nozzle or watering can which will provide a fine misty spray and not wash away the soil. Water often enough (usually about once a day) so that the soil surface never dries out, but remains constantly moist.
Seedlings should be watered once a day or every other day, depending on how much sun and heat they get. Remember that seedling roots are fairly close to the surface and they're growing in a small amount of media, so they don't need a deep soak the way larger plants do.
Most seeds germinate when the soil temperature is between 68° and 86°F. Once germination occurs, the optimum growing temperature for the seedling is about 10°F cooler than the optimum germination temperature.
The best time to start seeds is usually late March to late May. Only the southern zones are suitable for starting plants from seed in the earlier months. Give the plant enough time to germinate and grow to an appropriate transplant size.
Yes, germinating seeds in paper towels is usually faster than planting directly into the soil. This is because the paper towel method creates a warm and moist environment that helps to encourage germination.
Some seeds like Allium 'Purple Sensation' and Eryngium giganteum need a long period of cold-moist stratification with alternating temperatures. These are the most difficult seeds to germinate.
Soaking can accelerate germination and increase the proportion of seeds that successfully germinate. Seeds have evolved a protective coating around the embryo so the embryo can survive being dispersed by some means. The coating protects the seeds until they find themselves in a suitable place to grow into a new plant.
Seeds don't need light in order to sprout. Steady warm temperature is more important for sprouting, such as that provided via a seedling heat mat. So, you technically don't need to turn your grow lights on until after they emerge from the soil.
Seeds need to be moderately moist to sprout. Seed germination is highly dependent on watering. Too dry and they won't get the message to sprout, too wet and they will rot in the dirt.
Will grass seed germinate on top of the soil? Yes; in fact, germination will suffer if too much soil is placed on top of the seeds. The experts at Jonathan Green recommend placing a thin layer of mulch or topsoil over them to help keep them moist and warm and promote growth.
For many years, fluorescent shop lights were the go-to seed starting bulbs for gardeners, but LEDs have quickly replaced them as the standard choice. LEDs are usually more expensive than fluorescent bulbs, but they are very energy-efficient and long-lasting.
On the other hand, if you don't want to mess with repotting seedlings and just want to plant the seeds in their permanent container, you can start your seeds in a good potting mix that'll continue to help them grow sturdy and strong.
Like most things in gardening, there are always exceptions to this rule of 2-3 seeds per hole. If you're planting large seeds like cucumbers, melons, or pumpkins, you should only use one seed per hole. However, you can still plant seeds close together and then thin them out once they've established themselves.
While you can plant a late planting to the first frost date, it's always best to allow as much growing time as possible. If you missed the spring planting, then calculate which vegetables you can grow now and still have a harvest before the first frost.