Regular readers to this blog will know that I like to grow as much myself in my small organic garden, and try to use as much locally sourced as possible.
I also like to recycle and save money, especially when growing plants from seeds.
The advantages over growing from seed as opposed to buying a young plant, is that the own grown one is already established in your environment and has survived frost and cold weather & etc. A store bought seedling needs several days to acclimatize to your garden and might be a weaker strain, having been raised in a greenhouse/under glass.
I try and save seeds from previous years harvest too.
Tips on germination of seeds:
parsley: soak the seeds in warm water for several hours.
Drain and allow to dry then mix with used coffee grounds, before sowing outdoors.
To speed up germination of any seeds:
Mix 2 tbsp cold strong, brewed black tea leaves into each pound of seed cover..
To grow herbs indoors:
place a wet sponge-scourer on a plate with the abrasive side down.
Sprinkle with parsley or alfalfa seeds and place by a window, away from any radiators, and add more water when it dries up.
To grow rows of seedlings outdoors:
First cut a 3inch wide strip of kitchen paper..dampen it.
Lay on top of a strip of plastic wrap.
Place the dry seeds on top of the paper towel at intervals recommended on the seed packet.
Cover with another 3/4 inch strip of wet paper towel.
Then roll up the paper and plastic wrap.
Place in a plastic bag, seal and put in a warm light place (window sill) to germinate.
When the seeds begin to sprout, remove from bag and unroll.
Plant a strip of the paper towel in a well tilled garden bed and lightly cover with soil.
Water thoroughly..and watch your plants grow. The paper towel will act as a compost and will disintegrate over time.
Sprinkle seedlings with a mixture of soil and dried milk to add calcium and produce stronger plants..water in well.
Fill a salt shaker with any flavored jello powder (gelatin dessert) and sprinkle over seeds planted in starter cups or pots, cover with seedling soil mix.
This also encourages better plants, the gelatin retains water around the seedling, the sugar feeds the plant and the nitrogen encourages quicker growth.
Coffee filters and yogurt pots:
Drill/cut holes in yogurt pots and line with a (used, cold is fine) empty coffee filter.
Fill with seedling starter soil or fine potting soil, add the seeds.
When big enough to transplant into garden, remove the pot and plant the seedlings IN the coffee filter (it will disintegrate over time).
Also to gather more interesting seeds..when you have a salad at any restaurant and love the tomatoes/cucumber etc.
remove some of the seeds and smear them in a paper napkin.
When you get home dry them in full sun in the napkin.
Then when you wish to grow them.
Place in a potting soil, water well and cover with a fine layer of soil and watch them grow..then transplant as usual outdoors.
Also always transplant tomato seedlings when they have more than 4 leaves..as you are going to plant them with the 2 lower leaves in the soil..this makes for a stronger plant..happy Gardening!
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