From seed to planting out - equipment?

Mr. Vine Eye · January 2019

Hello everyone,

I'm going to get a mini greenhouse and start having a go at growing some perennials and annuals from seed.

Ive never done it before - apart from sprinkling grass seed and planting runner beans in a trough - so I'd like some advice from more knowledgable people about what equipment I need.
I found a Gardeners World video but it didn't cover the whole process.

I currently have a small number of 9cm pots from when I've bought plants at the garden centre. I've got larger ones that would be suitable for cuttings. I've also been saving 12 pack egg cartons because I read something about those being good for growing seedlings in.

What equipment do you use? Do you start seedlings off in a tray and then move them when they're tiny - or do you grow them in something that they can stay in until ready to plant out?

How do you water your seedlings? Do you water a tray and let them soak it up or water the individual pots/cells directly?

Since there seem to be multiple ways of doing this I'm wondering what methods and equipment people have ended up settling on as being most effective and/or efficient.

Thanks

Dovefromabove · January 2019

You’ve got the gardening bug

Different seeds/seedlings have different requirements ... a lot depends on hardiness of the plant, how quickly it grows and the size and type of seed ... we’ll need to know a bit more about the plants you want to grow.

JoeX · January 2019

Mr. Vine Eye said:

Hello everyone.

Ive never done it before

I say just give it a go.

Don’t worry about the perfect process, you already have what is needed; Mini green house, a few pots and some seeds.

As dove says, each plant is different, so check the packet but in broad strokes you’ve already got it - it’s not neuroscience, it’s just helping seeds do whats natural.

Expect the majority to either never grow at all or die at some stage, and be happy with whatever survives into the ground! Good luck! 😀

Posy · January 2019

Dove is right, of course, but generally, I find that I like to have seed trays to start the seeds and trays or 9cm pots to plant up. Most then go up in pot sizes until ready to plant out. There are deeper pots for starting sweet peas that are useful and I think these may be used for peas and beans too, but I don't grow any veg so I'm not sure. I use general purpose compost but seed compost is better and much more expensive. Many seeds need extra warmth to germinate and a heated propagator or bench is ideal but I mainly use a bright windowsill. You will see adverts for all sorts of devices to portion out seeds, make holes in the planting medium and lift young seedlings for pricking out but I use fingers, and old pencil and a kitchen fork. Starting is easy - and great fun - but beware, it may become an addiction and then there is endless stuff to add to your shopping list!

AnniD · January 2019

My only additional advice would be, don't start sowing too early (difficult to resist l know !), don't sow too many seeds, make sure they are sown thinly, and use the seed packet as a general guide. If it says "sow February to April", trust your instincts and go towards the later date. If there's 6 feet of snow outside and the forecast is for cold weather long term you could end up with trays of seedlings and trying to keep them warm as they take over every windowsill and surface (voice of experience !)
But most of all, enjoy !

Buttercupdays · January 2019

First you need your seeds to germinate. I use a small pot - it is important not to plant too many, too close together.

Some seeds are tiny, like dust, so it might be easier for you at first to start with something larger, like Calendula maybe, rather than Petunia say. If you can feel the seeds through the packet you should be ok. They all work the same way though.

Follow the seed packet for specifics and put them somewhere warm and bright. I use bogstandard B&Q potting compost and find it works ok. Keep the compost just damp, definitely not wet. If you see any falling over at ground level, stop watering for a day or two (unless you know you forgot to water them at all!). This might be 'damping off' caused by a fungus. A sprinkle of cinnamon is supposed to help stop it, so might be worth trying

Label them if there is more than one pot!

You can get windowsill trays to stand them on, to protect your windowsills, if you can't find another solution.

Wait and watch. I have a heated propagator and actually have it set up in my bedroom, so I can jump out of bed in the morning and see what's come up overnight. It's like magic!

Seedlings usually have 2 leaves, not always the same shape as the adult plant.

Leave them in the pot for a while to get bigger and stronger, then they will need more space. Time for 'pricking out'.

I use a seed tray next - this might just be a supermarket tray from veg etc - ones with holes are best. Lift the seedlings one by one, as Posy says, holding them gently by a leaf, not the stalk, and space them out in the tray, about 2.5 to 5cms apart according to how big they are. Water them carefully, as before. When the plantlets are bigger, getting close to touching, it is time to pot them up, each to its own little pot. Similar to pricking out, but the roots and compost will be heavier, so need supporting as you move them.

Once they are settled in their pots and depending on the weather and how far spring is advanced they may be ready for 'hardening off', which means getting them used to outdoor temperatures a bit at a time, till they can stay out without harm.

Do you know where you will plant them now?

Lyn · January 2019

Unless you have a huge garden I would not use seed trays. People make that mistake and end up with hundreds of one plant. I use yogurt pots and rice pots, margarine tubs, etc. then you only sow a pinch of each, that way you’ll have a 100 different varieties instead of 100 of each plant.
There’s no need to buy anything really, when I prick mine out they go into meat or veg plastic boxes, the deep ones of course.

I don’t have propagators or lights, I use Nature’s Own, she will supply all seed needs if you plant at the right time.

Of course, if money is no object then go and buy the lot new, there’s still no guarantee you will have anymore success that if you use what’s to hand.

Its practice, you learn as you go on, expect some failures and try different next time.

As to watering, I don’t, I use a spray bottle, gently on the seeds. The compost I use is damp to start with.

Purplerain · January 2019

All good advice, but also be kind to your garden soil by beefing it up with compost etc. Your young plants will thank you for it.

punkdoc · January 2019

I would caution against following the advice on seed packets regarding sowing times. My experience is, that most advise sowing too early.
There is not much that should be sown before at least late February.

gutties · January 2019

Some good info on this for someone like me just starting off sowing.

One question I have is on timing to sow Sweet Pea. Can that be sowed earlier (ie now) as I seen Sarah Raven recommending or should Sweet Pea also be sowed in March?

punkdoc · January 2019

I sow my sweet peas in batches. October, about now and finally March.

From seed to planting out - equipment?

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