

Seeds will sometimes sprout in less than ideal temperatures, but the germination period will be longer. A few, such as radish, will germinate at lower temperatures. Most annual vegetables germinate best in temperatures of 75☏ to 90☏. backĥ This creates a greenhouse effect to keep your seeds moist and warm, the key to germination. backĤ The moisture will help the seeds shed their protective coating and eventually sprout. backģ For certain varieties of plants, light will often speed up germination (the process of a plant sprouting from a seed). You do not need anything fancy seeds just need a basic mix of perlite, vermiculite, and peat moss (or coco coir) to germinate and grow into healthy seedlings.

If you’re not using homemade seed starting mix, this is a reputable brand that I like. Although peat has a very high water-holding capacity once it’s wet, it actually repels water when it’s dry. backĢ It’s easier to start with pre-moistened mix, as peat-based mixes are harder to wet down uniformly if they dry out in pots.
INDOOR GROW LIGHTS FOR SEEDLINGS CRACK
I’ve put countless seed trays and humidity domes to the test over the years, and found these trays and domes to be the thickest and strongest on the market - they don’t bend, flex, or crack as easily as other brands, and can be reused for many seasons. If you have a healthy garden, you can skip washing your pots and simply dump out the dirt from your pots before using again. Avoid using leftover soil from the nursery container you brought home, as it might harbor weed seeds and bad bacteria. Clean pots are key and help keep damping off at bay (an untreatable fungal disease that causes seedlings to suddenly keel over and die at the soil line).ĭiscard or thoroughly wash any pots that previously housed diseased plants. Find out whether you should keep or toss your seed stash.ġ This seems obvious, but laziness gets the best of us. How old is too old? All seeds have a shelf life, but their longevity depends on the quality and condition when you bought or saved them, and how they've been stored since.
