The Ultimate Guide To Planting Seeds

While many beginner gardeners think they lack the skills to tackle planting seeds and growing things from scratch, in reality it’s easier than you might think.

Mastering the art of growing plants from seeds isn’t always easy, which is why many people generally opt to purchase established trees, shrubs and bushes from their closest nursery as an efficient shortcut. However, for those patient enough to oversee the full life cycle of a plant, then growing from seeds presents an affordable alternative.

As a general rule, growing your own seeds is often better value than purchasing seedlings or established plants. Gardeners can collect and store their own seeds at the end of each growing season, and allow greater control over cultivating plants that are chemical free and untreated. If you have time up your sleeve, seeds offer a unique and rewarding gardening experience providing that you follow a few key steps. 

How To Grow Plants From Seeds At Home 

As every gardening enthusiast knows, from little things – big things grow. When a dry seed comes into contact with moist soil or a growing medium, the seed begins to take up water through the seed coat. As it continues to absorb the water over a period of time, the seed expands and the seed coat cracks open. The embryo inside the seed is made up of a small shoot and a small root, and the root is the first to emerge from the seed, marking the beginning of a new plant life. 

However, cultivating an environment that’s comfortable for a seed to germinate is where many avid gardeners come unstuck. Seeds need the proper temperature, moisture, air, and light conditions to germinate, with the “perfect” conditions depending on the type of seed you’re trying to grow a plant from. Thankfully, there are a few key steps that almost anyone can follow when it comes to growing seeds from scratch at home. 

Grab Some Seedling Trays – It’s generally not advisable to plant your seeds directly into the ground if you’re a beginner, as they can have a hard time penetrating the surface if the soil is too tough. Instead, grow seeds in shallow punnets, seed trays, small pots and even egg cartons, just as long as it has drainage holes at the base. 

The Right Type Of Soil – Baby plants and seeds need particular love and care if you want to encourage growth, so avoid using standard garden soil in your seed trays. Instead, purchase a specific seed raising mix, which can often include agents such as vermiculite, perlite, coir peat and propagating sand to encourage growth. 

Follow The Instructions – The type of seeds you’re trying to grow will dictate how deep you should plant them in the tray, how often they will need water, and how long you can expect to wait until germination. As a general rule, larger seed varieties will need to be planted more deeply than smaller or finer types of seeds. 

Create A Seed Nursery – In the early days of germination or when you spot the first shoots, it’s important to protect your baby plants from the elements, pests, and disease. Keep your seed tray warm by either placing them in a greenhouse, or making your own “nursery” with a fox box and a plastic or glass lid.

While it may seem counterproductive, if all of your seeds shoot at once and run the risk of overcrowding, thin them out by keeping only the strongest of shoots. This will help to avoid attracting any fungi, and speed up the wait time for transplanting your new seedlings into a pot or directly to your garden when they’re strong enough to handle the move. 

Ultimately, the more you’re able to encourage a self-sufficient and sustainable ecosystem in your garden, the happier your new plants and seedlings will be. However, sometimes your flora friends may need a little extra help in fending off unwanted invaders, but that doesn’t mean resorting to pesticides that may have negative consequences on the health of your soil, plants, and even local wildlife – so what’s the alternative?

Embrace The Safer Way To Spray  

Spending time outside and in the garden is not only good for our overall well being, but it’s also an easy way to start educating yourself on the importance of sustainability. 

If you’re noticing foreign invaders popping up in your garden, a naturally produced weed killer like Bioweed is a safe way to keep them under control. As a non-residual solution, it will break down into the soil in as little as 72 hours and can combat over 200 invasive weed species, making it safe for you, your family, your pets, and your local native wildlife to navigate. 

Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leader Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production.

If you’re on the hunt for a natural weed killer, more organic gardening solutions, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely, check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.