Download Starting Seeds and Transplants

Growing Seedlings &
Transplants
Michele Martz
SongHaven Farm
“Whatever happens to seed
affects the web of life.”
~Vandana Shiva
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What is your goal?
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The Germination Process
Photo: http://wonderopolis.org
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Seeds contain all they need for life and are triggered
to grow by moisture, temperature and sometimes
light.
Moisture and stored nutrients energize the embryo
and jumpstart a seeds growth with root formation.
Once plants break the surface and form leaves they
begin to draw nutrients from the soil and sunlight.
“In every seed lie the
components of all life the world
has known from all time to now.”
~Sister Joan Chittister, Sacred
Seed
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Factors for Success
❖
Good Quality Seed
❖
Proper Soil Mix
❖
Humidity & Water
❖
Warmth (for some plants)
❖
Light & Air
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Seed
❖
Who to buy seeds from?
❖
Save your own seed and/or purchase from other farmers
or gardeners who grow in a similar climate.
❖
Store seeds in a cool dry place
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Soil ~ Purchased Mixes
❖
About 90% of all soil mixes contain sphagnum peat moss.
Is sphagnum peat moss a non-renewable resource?
❖The
U.S. gets up to 80% of sphagnum peat moss it uses from Canada.
There is some debate as to whether the peat bogs can be restored to their premining condition, and how long the process takes. ″The North American
Wetlands Conservation Council estimates that harvested peatlands can be
restored to ′ecologically balanced systems′ – if not peat bogs – within five to 20
years after peat harvesting.″ Some wetlands scientists assert that ″... a managed
bog bears little resemblance to a natural one. Like tree farms, these peatlands tend
toward monoculture, lacking the biodiversity of an un- harvested bog.″ ~
Wikipedia
❖
Consider using Coconut Coir/Fiber as an alternative
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Making your own soil mix
❖
❖
Experiment to see what works best for you!
Ingredients that you may want to use:
❖
Compost
❖
Coco Fiber or Peat
❖
Vermiculite or Perlite
❖
Worm Castings
❖
Mycorrhizae Inputs
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Our general mix
❖
A ratio that I generally use is: 18 gal Rubbermaid
container
❖
1/2 screened compost
❖
1/4 coco fiber
❖
1/4 perlite
❖
If I have worm castings I will add that to our mix
❖
If I am sowing flower seeds I will add some sand to my
soil mix to allow for better drainage.
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Trays 101
20 row
photos:johnnyseeds.com
24 cell
72 cell
1020 tray
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Tools
Hand
Seed
Sower
Soil Blocker
Widger
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Water
❖
All plants will germinate quicker with humidity
❖
Use warm water whenever possible - especially in the
beginning
❖
Make sure the trays are thoroughly wet & kept moist
(while germinating)
❖
Use different waterers for different stages
❖
pump-sprayer
❖
watering can
❖
water wand
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Warmth, Light & Air
❖
Most seeds will need warmth for germination, some more
than others
❖
Some seeds need light, most need dark to germinate
❖
Air movement is important to prevent dampening off use fans once plants come up!
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Scarification & Stratification
❖
Scarification - scratch with a file or sandpaper, just
enough to cause seed to become slightly dull. Then,
soak 12-24 hrs and plant.
❖
Stratification - Moist (not wet) vermiculite, perlite or sand
into a ziplock bag with your seed. Place in fridge 10-12
weeks. Carefully plant seed along with medium
❖
www.groworganic.com video on seed germination on
Vegetable Seed page
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Important things to
remember
❖
Use trays that drain and are clean.
❖
Always set mouse traps when you begin your seedling
house.
❖
If you have aphid and whitefly problems, address them
before you get your seedlings underway.
❖
Give your plants attention and love! Talk and sing to
them!
❖
Minimize stress - never let plants get root bound
❖
Protect seedlings from frost
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Determining when to start seeds
❖
What are other farmers recommendations for planting
dates?
❖
Use seed catalogs to determine how many weeks to start
the seeds before t-plant date. Work backwards - When
do you want to have the crop by?
❖
Can use farmers almanac or biodynamic calendars for
determining optimal planting dates.
❖
KEEP GOOD RECORDS!
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❖
Generally, we start these crops:
Determining what to start as
❖ Kale, Chard, Cabbage, Joi Choi, Tomatoes,
seedlings
and
what
to
direct
sow
Peppers, Eggplant, Fennel, Basil, Herbs,
Flowers
❖
Generally, we direct sow these crops:
❖
Beans, Squash (summer and winter), Carrots,
Beets, Salad and Mustard Greens, Scallions,
Cilantro, Parsnips, Corn, Sorghum, Amaranth
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Our process ~ the beginning
years
Coldframes
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Our first
High Tunnel
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The
Hothouse
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Hardening Off
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Transplanting
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“The seed is a manifestation of nature’s
intelligence and carries the wisdom and
life force of the Earth.”
~David Frawley
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