Seed Starting with the MAP Farm Group
Gardening is magical, and it all starts with the seeds! A lot of information you need in order to successfully start seeds is on your seed packet, or on the internet. Here we are doing a very basic and general introduction to starting your own seeds wherever you have some space and light.
You will need; Seeds, soil, vessel, water, a pencil and label(s)
If you do have a seed packet for the variety of seeds you are planting, check for seed spacing, depth and days until germinated. These are all helpful tips that will increase your success.
Our Rule of Thumb is to plant seeds 2x as deep as the seed is big, unless otherwise noted.
First, put some soil into your vessel and press it down a bit;
Next, make a little home for your seeds with a slight depression. This is where the planting depth information comes in...our Rule of Thumb is to plant seeds 2x as deep as the seed is big, unless otherwise noted.
Check your seed packet for variations, though.
Some seeds need light and are surface sown, others are just barely covered... then put your seeds in! Again, check seed packet for germination rate, or amount of seeds per cell. Also note that the older the seeds are, the less likely they are to germinate. So sow a little heavier if using old seeds (seeds from our free seed library are likely older seeds)
Cover your seeds back up, be sure to label them, give 'em a good tuck in and blessing. We say ‘Kuleni Bwino’ or Grow well!
Then give them some water. TIP: using a sprayer instead of dowsing with water gives you less likely a chance to displace your seeds. Then give them some water. TIP: using a sprayer instead of dowsing with water gives you less likely a chance to displace your seeds.
Good Luck little seeds, good luck gardeners!