Tips on Seed Sowing and Potting Mix Preparation

Seed is the foundation of food cycle. Sowing seeds is the critical step that determines whether gardening or farming to become successful. Seed can be either sown indoors using seeding trays or pot especially for tiny/smaller sized seeds such as Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli and Marigold then transplanted to garden beds or pots when two true leaves are formed. Or you can sow seeds directly where they are intended to grow in garden beds or farmland which especially works for bigger/bold seeds such as Bitter gourd, Snake gourd and Beans.

HOW TO PREPARE THE PERFECT SEEDLING POT MIX

Potting mix has become a necessity for gardening enthusiasts in urban areas. Most of them buy ready-to-plant potting mix from garden store and only a few prepare by their own with available resources.
(Always remember your potting mix should not be too high in nutrients, which could cause stress to the fragile seedlings. Potting mix should retain moisture but not become soggy, which may lead the seeds to rot and encourage fungal diseases)

Follow the given tips to prepare the perfect potting mix on your own.

The Seedling pot mix should be light and fluffy, and will promote strong growth and healthy seedlings.

1) Add two parts sieved or clumps-free Compost as your base
(Compost release nutrients into the mix to feed the seedlings)
2) Add two parts Coir to the base
(Coir retains moisture and contributes mass to the potting mix)
3) Add one part sand to the base
(Sand improves its aeration and lightens the potting mix)
4) Mix all the parts together thoroughly

HOW TO PREPARE THE PERFECT CONTAINER POTTING MIX

These simple steps will help you to grow plants on larger pots or containers.

1) Add two parts sieved or clumps-free Compost as your base
(Compost release nutrients into the mix to feed the seedlings)
2) Add one part Coir to the base, rehydrate the coir if it is in compressed block form
(Coir retains moisture and contributes mass to the potting mix)
3) Add one part Vermicompost and sand to the base
(Sand improves its aeration and lightens the potting mix)
4) Mix all the parts together thoroughly

EASY STEPS TO FOLLOW DURING SOWING INDOORS

o First step is take some moist seedling pot mix
o Fill the seedling trays or pots with seedling pot mix, loosely
o Sprinkle tiny seeds on the surface covered with thin layer of seedling pot mix
o Large seeds should be sown twice as deep as the seed width
o Large seeds should have enough rooting space for the seedling to grow healthy
o Give the seedling good misting of water to ensure it is moist
o Always ensure the seed isn’t disturbed from its original position after sown
o Ensure enough sunlight till the seed sprouts, afterwards partial sunlight is enough
o Feed the seedling after first set of true leaves are formed
o Expose the seedling at least 2-3 hours of direct sunlight for hardening
o Regular watering of the seedling is essential for better growth
o Over watering will produce weak roots and fragile seedling
o Final step is transplanting the seedling to either well prepared garden beds or pots
o Transplant the seedling along with some portion of seedling pot mix bind to its roots

Generally, True leaves means second set of leaves of a seedling; Hardening means accustoming the seedling to sun

EASY STEPS TO FOLLOW DURING SOWING OUTDOORS

A Seed or Seedling grows into a healthy plant when it is accustomed to soil and sunlight from the soil.

o Till the soil and prepare the garden bed by removing mulch and weeds
o Add potting mix to the bed to give the seedlings a nutrient-rich growing
o Sprinkle tiny seeds on the surface covered with thin layer of seedling pot mix
o In case of scatter and grow approach, thin seedling out to avoid overcrowding
o Large seeds should be sown twice as deep as the seed width
o Large seeds should be sown giving proper spacing between plants and rows
o Water the bed to ensure it is moist
o Always ensure the seed isn’t disturbed from its original position after sown
o Ensure enough sunlight till the seed sprouts
o Regular watering of the seedling is essential for better growth after true leaves formed

If you do or don’t have seedling trays for nursery preparation, you could follow ‘Scatter and Grow Approach.’ Scatter and Grow Approach is a traditional way of sowing seeds on well prepared raised beds in a scattered manner. After true leaves are formed, remove seedlings from overcrowded area and transplant them to new beds. Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli seedlings are grown popularly grown through this method.

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