Now that you are ready with your organic potting mixture, its time to start preparing seeds. As we have already discussed, the organic potting mixture needs at least 15 to 20 days time to get ready before you can actually fill them in your pots.
So this time gap can be used to prepare seeds of vegetables. I would usually use seeds that I have collected myself from previous season crops. This is possible only if you are using traditional variety seeds.
If you use hybrid varieties you would not be able to get quality seeds and you need to buy them again.
You can get seeds from SIM organics along with terrace garden kit or separately too. You need to ping here
Organic Vegetables Seed Preparation
Prior to planting, you need to prepare your seeds so that they germinate well and this also helps in reducing the time required for the plant to grow.
There are different kinds of seeds which need to be treated differently. Some vary in size, some in their germination percentage and many are dormant seeds that need to be broken out of dormancy.
Tips and Warnings
- If treating seeds with acids, handle with care as they can be caustic to the skin and eyes.
Things Required
- Seeds
- Paper towels
- Water
- File or paring knife
- Acid
- Peat moss
- Plastic tub
- Freezer bags
Simple Seed Germination
This is for seeds that grow easily, you can follow this type of germination for wheat grass, green leafy vegetables, carrots, beets, tomatoes, chillies and so on.
- Sprinkle small seeds on a paper towel or filter paper and thoroughly soak the seeds and surrounding material with water. You just need to keep the paper wet.
- Wet a second piece of paper and place it over the first, covering the seeds.
- Leave the seeds soaking for up to 12 hours, check every hour to see when they begin to swell. Keep adding water to keep the surface of the paper wet. You will be able to see outgrowths on the seeds after which you can plant them in the planned fashion.
Paper Cup Seed Germination
Instead of spreading over a paper you could use paper cups for germination of seeds. Using paper cups to germinate seeds works best for pots.
You can remove the lower part of the paper cup and plant directly into the pot.
You also have the advantage of growing for a longer period, say more than a week in the paper cup.
Hard-Shelled Seeds – Removing The Hard Surface
How to Remove Hard Surface
2. Treating with sulfuric acid
3. Treating with Gibberellic Acid
Once you are ready to plant the seedlings you need to take care about a lot of other things, will get to that in tomorrows post.
Thanks Ishieta!
ha ha true ANmol, there is more than just putting seeds in soil.
This was a useful information. I mean, for all I knew, I just needed to put the seeds inside the soil and keep watering them till they start growing :p
Ha, I am really glad and dancing with happiness .. Thanks you
Thanks Roshan, I am glad I thought of this
Thanks Rajlakshmi, Paper towel works the best, even for sprouts
this is so informative. I have never tried the paper towel method… will try that … I need to find some winter vegetables as it’s soon going to be very very cold.
Thanks Namratha!
Interesting right Vidhya, when doen with passion gardening is one hobby you will never get tired of
Thanks Anita!
Thanks shalini!
Your series is fabulous info for a hobby that I intend to revive! I had taken classes and even grown my veggies for 1-2 years. then laziness got the better of me!
Theme: Peregrination Chronicles (travel)
I is for innovation or Jugaad which we Indians are very famous for #atozchallenge
So lovely that you are sharing all the steps.
Didn’t know that pots need that much time to be ready 😉
I have watched a friend of mine preparing seeds and it is fascinating! He was trying to germinate a special species of basil. So exciting when he gifted me a pot of the young plant. Still remember the fragrance.! Nice tutorial Menaka!
Detailed information! I am a haphazard gardener.. I just sprinkle or sow seeds and pour water and pray it grows
This is brilliant as a theme and extremely useful for all of us looking to start our own veg gardens. Thanks. 🙂
Oh! I didn’t know seeds required so much preparation! I thought I could just sprinkle them in soil, pour in some water, and be done with it!
Happy AtoZing!
Chicky @ http://www.mysteriouskaddu.com
interesting… usually, we just throw in the seeds! will definitely take note and care from now on.
Thanks a ton Roma!
That sounds wonderful Bushra
Thanks Eva
That seems a bit complicated to me!
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Eva – Mail Adventures
H is for Harper
I have bought some vegetable seeds will treat like you have mentioned soaked in wet paper
Beautifully penned, Thanks for sharing
Dr. Bushra
Do visit mine
H for Heedful about The Third Trimester Of Pregnancy
This is the most unique theme this AtoZ dear Menaka and I am really enriching myself here.😊