Everything you need to know about gardening can be found on a seed packet...sort of

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • February 12, 2013
  • 336
                        
Summary: Everything you need to know about gardening can be found on the back of a seed packet….almost. Nearly everything you need to grow plants successfully can be found in the information contained on the back of a seed packet. Plants’ needs vary and providing the necessary requirements for them is as simple as following the directions that come with the seeds. When to sow: Sowing is the term used for planting. Sowing is when you take the seed and place it in soil with a little moisture so that the seed will sprout and grow into a lovely flower, a delicious herb or a vitamin-rich vegetable. Some seed packets will suggest the seeds be sown indoors weeks before they can be planted outside. If there is no mention of indoor seed-starting chances are likely the seed needs to be planted outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. This is called direct sow and means the seeds need to be planted directly in the garden once the soil has warmed. That brings us to frost date. The frost date is the date suggested to be the day that it is unlikely a region will experience temperatures cold enough to create frost. Frost can kill seedlings. Just as we don’t expect a 65 degree day in February we also don’t expect a 19 degree day in May but both happen and with seemingly more regularity than I’ve ever seen before. Seasoned gardeners rely on their gut instinct when it comes to frost dates but using the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Climatic Data Center (NCDC) is a decent way to predict frost dates where you live. Where to sow: Seeds started indoors will eventually make their way to the garden but in the meantime they need warmth and in some cases, light in order to sprout. Refer again to the back of the seed packet. You might see instructions that include keeping seed starting medium moist or do not allow seed starting medium to dry out. Once the seeds have sprouted they will require conditions similar to those found in the portion of the garden where they will eventually grow. Some might require full sun while others will do well with indirect light or even in the shade. Seed planting depth: Some seeds need to be planted deeper than others. This is not an exact measurement but an estimate. If the seed packet instructs seeds be planted at a depth of ½ inch there is no need to get out a ruler. Some seeds need only be spread evenly across the top of soil with a sprinkling of additional soil to keep them in place. Days to germination: Germination is when seeds actually sprout. Some seeds will sprout overnight while others take days and even weeks. It is usually the warming of soil that signals to the seed it is time to sprout. If seeds are slow to sprout try moving them to a warmer location or place a heating pad beneath them. Days to harvest: When seeds will become plants that produce flowers or fruit for harvest is good information to know. The days to harvest information should begin once the seedlings have been transplanted to the garden and not when the seeds were initially planted indoors. Seed packaging date: Seed packets should include a date so gardeners know the seeds are viable for the year specified. Some older seeds leftover from previous growing seasons may still sprout but not with as much success. You might find more useful information on the tiny packages that brings seeds from growers to your own garden. Generally the more information available the more likely the seeds were produced by companies that wish you the best success in growing plants in your garden.


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