Growing Vegetables from Seed

Growing Vegetables from Seed

• Growing vegetables from seed is fast and cost effective, one packet of seeds can contain up to 200 seeds and cost as little as $4

Germination of a Seed
Germination is the beginning of growth of a seed. The seed must have the right level of warmth and moisture to begin to germinate. First, the seed leaves absorb moisture which allows the food reserves to become available to the new plant. It can then produce a root so that it can find its own water, followed by a shoot which develops from the plumule, which will allow it to absorb light. The plant needs both water and light to grow.
Sometimes, the seed leaves, or cotyledons, remain below the surface of the soil, as in germination of a Pea, below. This is called Hypogeal Germination.



In some species, the seed leaves remain on the new shoot and are brought above the ground, as in germination of the Ash tree, below. This is called Epigeal Germination.


Ref:
http://theseedsite.co.uk/germinating.html


Germination requirements

• Water to re-hydrate the seed and for the growing seedling. The seed compost needs to be moisture retentive
• Oxygen is required by the seed for respiration (breathing) The seed compost must be well aerated and well drained
• Warmth is required different seeds require different temperatures, tomatoes for instance require 20+ to germinate, most good seed companies will provide germination temperatures
• Dormancy needs to be broken this can be called ‘stratification’, some seed needs to be pre soaked or scarified to break dormancy








Materials

• Seed raising compost
• Containers
Squat pot or modules, some seed such as tomatoes can be sown direct

• Tools

Labels and pens
Sieve
Fine watering spray

• Growing environment
Cold frame, glasshouse or mini green house, i.e. seed raising kit

Sowing seed in containers
• Fill container evenly with compost
• Make level by tapping or striking off
• Firming
• Sowing either one seed per container or evenly broadcast over tray
• Cover with sieved mixture normally to the depth depends on the size of the seed
• Watering-gently with a fine spray
• Label-name, origin , date
• Environment-cover with glass or put in mini propagating case


Seedling Diseases

• Damping off
Caused by bad hygiene make sure all pots are washed with beach

Seedling Pest

• Mice
• Slugs

Sowing Direct

Seedbed
• Level
• Friable
• Moisture retentive
• Well drained and aerated
• pH 6.5-7.5

Making a seed bed

• Weed
• Cultivate
• Firming
• Levelling
• Fertilising
Sowing
• Broadcasting
When seed is sown scattered over a site
• Sowing in drills
Sowing in lines
Make a furrow with a hoe
Seed can be mixed with sand to ensure even spacing
Rake back soil and water
Row should be labelled with date
Soil depth depends on the size of the seed
After Care

• Labelling
• Thin seedlings
• Weed control
• Irrigation
• Shading