An average sized tomato seed weighs approximately 3 milligrams. How extraordinary it is to behold that tiny thing become a 4 foot tall bush, hanging with several pounds of bright red fruit. Seeds carry within them the full potential of the entire plant and its harvest. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to get seeds started, but they do best under certain conditions.
Germination refers to the growth of a plant within a seed. Seeds require a growing medium (peat containers, or potting soil), heat, and moisture to germinate. The back of a seed packet contains lots of useful information to help you create the optimal conditions for germination. Seed packets will tell you the proper seed depth, the ideal soil temperature, how many days until germination, light requirements of the plant, and space requirements.
Gardeners can get a head start on the growing season by starting seeds indoors. This way, plants can begin their growth cycle while soil temperatures outside are still too cold for germination. When starting seeds indoors, choose a potting soil, or a seed starting medium such as the ones included in our Greenhouse Garden Starter Kit. Make sure the peat pellets or potting soil is evenly moist all the way through, but not overly saturated. If you can squeeze water from a handful of soil, it’s too wet and can grow mold or fungus which can kill your plant.
Use your fingers to gently compress the soil or growing medium. This gentle soil compaction will help prevent the seed from falling too deep into the medium. Place the seed on the soil, and cover loosely to the recommended depth. Use plastic wrap or the greenhouse plastic cover to keep your soil moist. This will help prevent overwatering, which can cool soil temperatures, preventing proper germination conditions.
Place your planted seeds in a bright window or under florescent lights. Use a soil thermometer to determine that your soil is warm enough for germination. If your soil is too cool, you can use a heat mat to place under your planted seeds. Your seedlings will emerge several days later, bringing with them the signs of spring, new growth, and harvest.
