Sowing seeds in a seed tray is a great way to start your garden. Follow our simple 7-step guide to ensure your seeds germinate successfully and grow into healthy plants.
Step 1: Mixing the Seed Starter Mix
Start by mixing the potting soil with vermiculite and play sand to create a seed starter mix. Use 3 parts compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part play sand. This mix provides the right balance of nutrients and drainage for seed germination.
Step 2: Filling the Seed Tray
Fill the seed tray with your seed starter mix up to the edge. Press down the compost once per cell to compact the bottom layer, creating more space for the top layer. Fill it to the edge again without packing it down.
Step 3 (Optional): Watering Before Sowing
If you can't water from below and are sowing small seeds, give the seed tray a thorough watering before sowing. This ensures that the seeds will have enough moisture to start germinating.
Step 4: Sowing the Seeds
Sow the seeds according to their specific requirements. Some seeds need to be covered with compost after sowing. You can also try multi-sowing for some varieties. Read more about multi sowing in the blog about getting more harvest in the same space.
Step 5: Watering the Seedlings
After sowing, water the seedlings from below using a bottom water tray or from above using a fine spray head. This ensures that the seeds receive adequate moisture without being disturbed.
Step 6: Creating the Right Environment
Place the seed trays in the right spot to germinate. It's important to find a location with the appropriate temperature and moisture levels to ensure successful germination. Learn more in the blog about the right temperature for the right vegetable.
Step 7: Covering the Compost
Cover the compost with cardboard or another material to temporarily block the evaporation of water. This helps the seeds germinate without drying out. Remove the cover once the seedlings germinate.