Growing Vegetable Plants From Seed
by Ellen Bell
If you're one of the many Americans who will be cultivating a vegetable garden
this year, one of the first decisions you'll have to make is whether to grow
your plants from seed or purchase transplants from a nursery. In this article,
we'll explore the pros and cons to both methods, and we'll provide a basic how
to guide for starting your own plants from seed.
There are two primary deciding factors in whether to start plants from seed. The
first is time. Starting seeds certainly requires a larger investment in time and
effort than purchasing transplants. However, the knowledge that you have grown
the plants yourself from their very inception is also quite rewarding. The other
primary consideration is cost. Seeds are far more economical to purchase than
young plants. A packet of 50 or more seeds might cost you a few dollars.
Transplants, on the other hand, will cost you that same amount per plant. In
short, if you have the time and the inclination, growing your own plants from
seed is a very rewarding and economical way to start a vegetable garden.
Most gardening experts will agree that the best method of starting seeds is in a
greenhouse. Greenhouses provide optimal conditions for germination and growing:
long warm days and ample sunlight during times of year when it is still to cold
to even consider planting outside. Many hobby greenhouses also feature auto
venting systems that help regulate the inside temperature.
If you're not ready to invest in a large outdoor greenhouse, consider a smaller
portable unit that can sit on a deck or patio. There are also small indoor
greenhouses available that occupy no more space than a shelf or tabletop, and
these are ideal for the urban gardener who is limited on space.
It is possible, though sometimes more challenging, to start seeds indoors
without the aid of a greenhouse. A large sunny window facing south is ideal. If
you don't have such a location, consider purchasing fluorescent light fixtures
with full spectrum grow lights. These can be suspended a few inches over young
plants and set on timers to provide the necessary 14 hours of light per day.
Ideally, the daytime temperature should be approximately 75 degrees Fahrenheit
and the nighttime temperature around 60 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If plants are
in warmer temperatures all day and night, they will grow tall and soft, rather
than the stock, robust transplants that are hardier for setting outdoors.
Seedlings also need plenty of moisture for germination and early growth.
Planting in a mixture that contains plenty of peat moss will aid in moisture
retention. In the early stages, before seeds have germinated, fill a spray
bottle with water and use this to keep the soil moist. This will prevent
overwatering, which can cause seeds to dislodge and wash away.
The last important step in growing your own plants from seed is hardening off
before transplanting outdoors. Hardening off refers to the process of preparing
plants for the rigors of growing outdoors. Some gardeners harden off their
seedlings by placing them outdoors on a deck or patio during favorable weather
conditions for a week or so before transplanting is to occur. Other methods of
hardening off include lowering the temperature where the plants are located,
watering only when plants show signs of wilting, and placing a fan nearby to
blow a gentle breeze on the seedlings.
By following these tips, along with a good dose of patience, any gardener can
successfully start their own vegetable plants from seed. The process may be time
consuming, but it is also very satisfying, and you'll be rewarded with dozens of
young plants at a fraction of the cost of purchasing them from a nursery or
garden center.
Ellen Bell works for Home Products 'n' More, a retail website offering free
shipping on greenhouses to get your seedlings started. Or, for information how
to build your own greenhouse, visit us at
http://www.homeproductsnmore.com/
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