Spring Seed Sowing

Happy first day of March!

We are now officially just a few weeks away from the official start of the Spring season. The warmer season can’t arrive soon enough, right?

As the natural world wakes up and shakes off the last few vestiges of winter, I’m starting to think about the herbs and flowers I want to grow this year. Perhaps you are too.

With that in mind, this post is all about getting your seed sowing juices flowing as we get a jump on the growing season ahead.

While gearing up for seed sowing may seem like prepping for a grand gardening adventure, I’ll admit, my efforts often have unexpected results. I never quite know how my small scale gardening projects will actually turn out. Still, I’m never deterred.

When you think about it, it’s pretty amazing what a few seed packets, a trusty watering can and steady, warm sunlight can produce. Toss in the requisite patience, and we get to watch the wonders of nature unfold.

An early key for ensuring seed sowing success is to create a germination space where your seeds can truly thrive under your watchful eye and care.

SUPPLIES NEEDED

Here’s a basic list of supplies you’ll likely need for successful seed sowing efforts.

1. Seeds: Gotta start with these, right? Try to choose high-quality seeds appropriate for your growing conditions and desired plants.
2. Containers: Such as leakproof seed trays, pots, or seedling cells or even egg cartons. It’s a good idea for them to have drainage holes at the bottom so your seeds don’t get water logging.
3. Seed Starting Mix: A lightweight mix that’s specifically formulated for seed germination. Avoid using garden soil, because it may contain pathogens or be too dense for young roots.
4. Small watering Can or a Spray Bottle: For gentle watering to avoid disturbing seeds and seedlings.
5. Grow Lights or a Sunny Windowsill: Adequate light is crucial for seed germination and early growth. If you’re starting seeds indoors, provide sufficient light. Set up in an area that will get at least 14 hours of light.
6. Fine vermiculite: Mix a small amount with the starter mix. Vermiculite can be seen in the photo above as tiny white pebbles. This encourages faster germination.

These are general supplies, and specific requirements may be needed dependent on the type of seeds you’re growing. Make sure you always check for any specific requirements for the seeds you’re sowing and adjust accordingly.

I’ve used heat domes before and I highly recommend them. Heat domes are like a spa for seeds, keeping them warm and moist and helping to create the ideal conditions for successful sprouting.

Here’s a look at how I set up a couple of heat domes last year. As you can see, there’s no need for any elaborate setup or space.

I just used a couple of TV tables side-by-side, and just placed the whole arrangement in front of a low traffic window.

While still on the subject of seed sowing supplies, I’ve also used germination pads before too.

They’re totally optional but they also help provide a little heat from below to keep your trays nice and toasty. The pads are low-wattage and waterproof and slide right underneath the seed-packed trays. The seeds that sit above these pads will love it.

You can find heat domes and germination pads online and at most nursery and plant stores.

Also, if you plan to sow a variety of seeds, trust me when I advise you label each dirt-filled compartment as soon the seeds are placed in them. I’ve lost track of quite a few seeds after failing to label them adequately.

Not only is it super easy to get the seeds mixed up, once they sprout, many of them look so similar, the only way you’ll know what variety you’re dealing with is via the label.

I just had to share the above image because I find the way sunflowers sprout really interesting.

They start as that easily recognizable seed buried in the dirt and as the seed germinates, that same seed pod pops up out of the dirt and rides on top the stem growth, and balances on the tip where it stays perched until you knock it off.

If you forget to label a sunflower seed on the front end, as you can see, this is one seedling that is easy to identify on the sprout’s back end thanks to the teetering pod.

Reading Resources

Of course, there are tons of resources, videos and materials available to walk you through the process of sowing seeds, and beyond.

Here are a few of my personal favorite books on propagating, growing and cultivating and arranging beautiful flowers.

Discovering Dahlias by Erin Benzakein – If you follow Floret Flower on Instagram, you already know how inspiring Erin’s Dahlias and other flowers are. This book is loaded with information, lovely photos and insights into every stage of growing Dahlias.

Seed to Bloom, The Dahlia Grower’s Companion by Kristine Albrecht – Yes, I have a thing about Dahlias. This book is an encyclopedia of knowledge about growing beautiful Dahlias. It’s detailed and leaves no stone unturned in demystifying what it takes to grow and care for this popular flower.

Dahlia Breeding by Kristine Albrecht – This book is chock-full of tips and techniques on growing beautiful Dahlias. It’s a colorful, easy to understand manual for any beginner.

In Bloom by Clare Nolan – If you want to grow a beautiful harvest of flowers, this is a great book to have in your gardening library. This book is filled with secrets to growing a harvest that is both stunning and varied. The author covers a ton of fertile ground (pun intended) for harvesting, arranging and growing a garden that will make you proud.

The Flower Hunter by Lucy Hunter – My daughter gave me this book for Christmas a few years ago and it’s just a pleasure to browse. It’s filled with lovely floral arrangements, many of which look more like Old World Paintings than photographs of pretty floral bouquets. Every page is a floral feast for the eyes.

Also, if you’d like to see more about my own personal efforts at growing Dahlias, you can read my post on Growing Dahlias HERE, as well as my post on my favorite Dahlia variety, Peaches & Cream HERE.

So, do you have any gardening plans? What are your gardening plans this year?

Have you started sowing any seeds yet?

If not, I hope you’re inspired to get started on your own Spring gardening preps.

Thanks for popping by.

See you back here next time.

Happy Spring. ♥