Whether you’re a beginner gardener or someone looking to learn how to start their own seeds, preparing plants for outdoor garden spaces is essential for allowing them to thrive and grow. While starting your own seeds gives you more options in terms of the types of flowers and vegetables you can plant, using a starter plant can be easier and more convenient, especially for those just starting out in the craft. Learn more about how to start your gardens from seeds vs. starter plants, so you can give yourself the best chance for a successful growing season.
What Is Seed Starting?
Seeds are traditionally used to start gardens, coming in small pouches that you plant and water so they eventually become a stunning flower or delicious vegetable plant. However, it may seem simple enough to plant seeds directly into garden spaces, but some plants will do better seeding indoors. In other words, you may have to start seeds and get them growing indoors before transplanting them into outdoor garden spaces.
While this may seem challenging, the process is actually very simple, as long as you consistently monitor seeds to ensure they receive the exact care they need. Starting seeds yourself can also be more affordable than other options, making this the perfect choice for both beginners and seasoned gardeners alike.
But before seeding, you must have the right materials, including trays, soil and grow lights. You can make your own seed starting station using grow lights, PVC pipe and the right fittings, or purchase a whole seed starting kit that includes everything you need.
How Do I Start My Seeds?
To start the seeding process, take potting soil mix and add it to a bucket, dampening it with warm water. Next, put your seed pots into the trays and fill them with mix, pushing down on soils to get rid of air pockets, until it reaches about 1/4 inch from the rim. Now, it’s time to place your seeds, adding about three to each pot. If you have larger seeds, you’ll want to only put in two per pot. Make sure to label your containers so you know what type of plant is growing, as well as the date on which you planted them.
Next, you must cover the trays with a plastic bag or humidity dome, which keeps warm temperatures inside the pots. Warmer temperatures are necessary to help seeds along the germination process. Smaller starting stations can use natural heat from appliances, such as the top of refrigerators or radiators. However, if you plan to start a variety of different seeds, you must invest in a heating mat to keep plants at a consistent, warm temperature.
As soon as you see seedlings protruding from the soil, you must cut slits into the bag or dome to allow for proper ventilation and airflow. Once your seedling starts growing a second set of leaves, you can take off the cover and add fertilizers, continuing to replenish them with fertilizing products once a week. After seeds germinate, make sure to put them in a sunny spot so they can get some much-needed sunlight. Alternatively, you can use a grow light to help seeds along.
Not all seeds need to be started indoors, with some plants growing better with direct seeding, such as beans, cilantro or radishes. When planting seeds directly into outdoor soils, you must ensure soil temperatures fall about 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Be sure to look at specific growing instructions on your seed packet for more detailed information about soil conditions and temperatures.
Growing from with Starter Plants
When you think of gardening, you probably picture fresh-grown vegetables and blooms growing from small seeds. However, not all gardens must start out with a seed, instead using starter plants to begin the growing season.
Starter plants make starting your garden easy by coming in small containers, with each plant already having gone through the seeding process. This means the bulk of the work has already been done, and you won’t have to germinate and seed plants yourself, allowing gardens to grow faster and more efficiently. Instead, you simply transfer your already-started plant into larger garden spaces, making this a perfect solution for beginner gardeners.
Using starter plants in your garden can offer many benefits, with the main one being you save time from having to care for and germinate seeds before implementing them into gardens. It also allows you start gardening later in the season, as you won’t have to plan ahead to allow time for seeds to develop.
Lastly, using starter plants over seeds lets you see the fruits of your labor sooner. When planting seeds, it may take some time for you to notice any growth. But with starter plants, these are already thriving and blooming, meaning your garden spaces look full and ready as soon as you’re done planting them.
Transplanting Seedlings and Starter Plants into Gardens
Once your seedlings have germinated or you have purchased your starter plant, it’s time to transfer them from their existing pots into your outdoor garden space. But this must be done carefully, as plants can become stressed with environmental changes, causing them to start wilting and fail.
While many plants can be simply taken out of their containers, some vegetables may require other steps before planting them outdoors. For example, tomato seedlings must acclimate to a larger pot before heading to gardens. After a few weeks of germinating and growing, you must move your tomato seedlings into a bigger pot setup, keeping them indoors for a little while longer. You should also harden off all young plants before planting them in garden spaces, which means gradually exposing them to outdoor elements and environments.
Once plants are ready for outdoor gardens, start by digging out a space for them to go using a shovel. You must ensure the hole is larger than the plant’s root ball or current pot to allow roots to spread out and catch to soil. Next, you must moisturize the hole, filling it with water and allowing it to soak into the soil, and repeating this step if yours is particularly dry. You must make sure water is fully absorbed by the soil before planting your seedling.
Now, it’s time to remove your plant from its pot, which must be done carefully and gently to avoid damaging the roots and stems. To do this, just turn your pot over and gently pull on the plant to slide it out, giving the bottom a couple taps if plants become stuck, or running a hand trowel along the inside of the pot to break up dirt. If roots are compact or balled into a circular pattern, be sure to carefully straighten them out with your hand or garden knife before planting.
Finally, you’re ready to plant your seedling, ensuring to move quickly to decrease the chances that it undergoes plant shock. To complete this, simply place your plant into the hole and fill it with soil, making sure to cover the root ball completely, and give it a good watering. Continue watering your plant well for a few days afterwards, helping it to acclimate to its new environment and grow successfully.
Start Your Garden Spaces Off Right with Seeds and Plants from Tractor Supply
From flowers to vegetables to shrubs, you can find everything you need to start your garden right here in our store or online. For beginners, we carry a variety of kits, including seed starting kits and indoor hydroponic kits, as well as accessories, such as gardening gloves and hand tools, for planters of all skill levels. To learn more about our lawn and garden products, visit your local Tractor Supply store today or browse online.