Seed Sowing 101- 4 Methods I Use
Every Flower ^Above^ Grown From Seed*
Last week, I hinted at my busy seed starting endeavors lately. My 1st grow rack is nearly packed, and I’m prepping to harden off and transplant the first wave of my seedlings.
For many years I operated purely as a charity, so I really had to keep the bottom line low. Starting all my own seeds (as opposed to buying plants or plugs) was a fantastic way to do this! Seed starting also has many other awesome benefits.
I start seeds in a variety of ways, but primarily stick to four proven methods:
1. Indoor Sowing- Traditional Method
2. Indoor Sowing- Soil Blocking Method
3. Outdoor Sowing- Direct Sow Method
4. Outdoor Sowing- Winter Sow Method
But First! A Quick Announcement!
I am very excited to announce that I will be hosting and leading a SEED STARTING WORKSHOP on Saturday, April 6th! That’s right around the corner because we all know time is running out to get this early blooming seeds started!
1. Indoor Sowing- Traditional Method
The traditional method of indoor seed sowing involves planting seeds in individual containers or flat trays filled with potting soil. Benefits include better control over seedling growth (watering, fertilizing, weed control, etc.), easy transplanting, and suitability for a wide range of plant varieties. Indoor seed sowing does require some infrastructure including a dedicated grow space with grow lights, access to water, and storage. You also need to ensure seedlings are properly taken care of over the many weeks of incubation, including proper temperatures, lighting conditions, waterings and fertilizer.
2. Indoor Sowing- Soil Blocking
No those aren’t brownies you see! They’re Soil Blocks!
The soil blocking method of seed sowing is similar to traditional method except it utilizes compressed soil blocks to sprout seeds, ditching traditional containers for cost and space savings! Crafted with a, you guessed it, “Soil Blocker,” it requires some initial effort mixing the soil blocking material and forming the blocks. Yet, the benefits are abundant: enhanced aeration and root growth lead to robust seedlings. Moreover, transplant shock is minimized as the entire block is planted directly into the soil. Bonus: you can fit far more seedlings in a given space compared to traditional indoor sowing!
3. Outdoor Sowing- Direct Seeding
Outdoor sowing refers to the practice of planting seeds directly into the ground or outdoor open containers rather than starting them indoors. This method allows the seedlings to grow naturally in their intended environment without the need for hardening off or transplanting. However, there are some difficulties that come along with direct sowing. Often germination of seedlings/keeping them alive once sprouted is spotty because you have less control over the growing conditions. You may also face drought, weed, or pest pressure (FYI- birds LOVE sunflower seeds).
4. Outdoor Sowing- Winter Sowing
Winter sowing is a seed starting method where seeds are sown outdoors in containers during the winter months. I use milk jugs and/or cold-frames. The containers are then left outside to experience natural winter conditions, including cold temperatures and fluctuating moisture levels. This process helps break seed dormancy and prepares the seeds for germination once the weather warms up in spring. Resultingly, there is no hardening off process. Additionally, the containers provide a greenhouse effect essentially fast forwarding seedling germination and growth giving your plants a head start in the year. As a bonus, your seedlings are also safe from critters!
Just a heads up, “Winter Sowing” is a bit of a misnomer, as it really can be done well into Spring and even early Summer for those heat-loving crops. So don’t let that hold you back!
Last Words...
In case you are wondering why in the world I do so many different methods it’s because each method suits different seeds based on their needs and characteristics. This is informed by years of experimentation and data tracking. Don’t believe me!? Seed starting is a low cost and fun way to get your geek on. Give it a try it yourself!
This article just grazed the surface of seed starting, there is a lot more to learn. If you are still unsure of were to start or which approach to use, please join us for our awesome seed starting workshop. Click the button for details!
Have a Beautiful Day!
