A Master Gardener's Journal

by Cynthia Sabatini, Delaware County Master Gardener

Seed Starting “Tools”

A gardener should take the time to assemble the tools needed for seed starting so that everything is available when the process of seed sowing starts. As noted earlier, this article focuses on the items needed to start seeds indoors, but many of the “tools” are also needed if starting seeds in a heated or unheated greenhouse or outdoors. The necessary tools include: containers, seed starting mix, fresh seed, plant markers, covering for containers and a water bottle/mister.

Containers should have drainage holes so that excess water flows through readily. They should also be 2 to 3 inches deep to accommodate for seedling growth. Examples of containers include plastic cell packs that annual flowers are frequently sold in, peat pots, peat pellets and recycled items such as yogurt cups and milk cartons. Extra holes can be created in recycled items to ensure proper drainage.

The seed starting mix should be light and spongy in texture and moist, but not wet. Examples of good media include vermiculite, commercial mixes, such as Jiffy Mix, Miracle Grow and ProMix, and homemade mixtures composed of vermiculite, perlite and sphagnum moss. Some gardeners use potting soil, but the other options listed are preferable. Garden soil should not be used as it is too heavy and may harbor fungi that can reproduce and wreak havoc in the home environment.

To optimize the germination rate, always use fresh seed—i.e., seed packed in the current year (the date can be found on the seed packet).

If starting various flowers from seeds, use plant markers that can be inserted in the containers to identify the type of flower seed sown. Examples include plastic or metal markers designed for labeling flowers/plants, popsicle sticks and tongue depressors.

If seeds are started indoors, the containers in which seeds are sown should be covered with an appropriate wrap such as plastic or saran wrap, aluminum foil or paper bags. The type of wrap used—transparent or opaque—depends upon whether the seed needs light or dark to germinate, which will be discussed in the article on germination.

A gardener should also have on hand a bottle that emits a very fine spray of water to moisten the starting mix prior to sowing the seeds and to remoisten the mix immediately after the seed is sown.

Note from Marion: Check back soon for the next installment in this series on starting plants from seeds!

Do you have a gardening question? In Delaware County, call our Master Gardeners hortline at 610-690-2671 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 AM-12 NOON.

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