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Comment by igz on April 6, 2011 at 3:38am

i instinctively followed both principals with seed amounts and depth.  call it beginners luck.  the seed packets had the same info for each packet with no details or theories, so thank you for sharing. much appreciated.

 

i didnt know how old the seeds were, but the 'expriration date' was for december of this year.

Comment by Anne Alt on April 6, 2011 at 3:15am

Howard makes a good point about seed size vs. planting depth.  The tiniest seeds (like lettuce or poppy) like to be right at the surface.  Medium sized seeds - usually 1/4" to 1/2".  Larger seeds - deeper - 1/2" to 1". Same with bulbs - the bigger it is, the deeper it goes.

 

If you've got a seed packet to refer to, go by the guidelines given there on depth, spacing, germination time, etc.  If not, you may be able to find guidance online. 

 

The U of I extension site and others have a lot of helpful info.

Comment by Anne Alt on April 5, 2011 at 12:28pm

I agree with what Todd said, and I'll add a few more.

 

With tiny seeds, I plant a few instead of one, because they're often not quite as reliable.  If it's a seed that's labeled as difficult to germinate, I'll plant a few.  For a medium sized seed, I'll usually plant two in a hole and then cull the weaker one if both germinate.  I've found that big seeds like beans almost always germinate unless they're really old, so planting one usually works for those. 

 

With all types, if the seeds are more than one year old, I plant extras.

Comment by Todd Allen on April 5, 2011 at 3:05am

Iggi, that depends on so many things.

 

Factors that might make you use more seed:  old seed, cheap or plentiful seed, slow or difficult to germinate seed.  If you are using relatively expensive containers such as peat pots you might also use an extra seed or two.

 

When starting seeds inside under lights making efficient use of the space can be important.  For many types of seed it makes sense to germinate densely but then transplant to separate/bigger containers to grow out the seedlings.

 

Another issue is whether to thin/cull excess seedlings or to separate and replant them.  That depends on how tolerant your seedlings are of transplant shock and how loose your germination medium is.

 

Something many new gardeners don't get quite right is quantities.  For example if you grow spinach you may want dozens as each plant is small.  But if you grow zucchini you might get by with just one plant.

Comment by igz on April 4, 2011 at 12:37pm

and by seedlings, i mean seeds

Comment by igz on April 4, 2011 at 12:37pm

so...when starting seedlings in whatever the preferred method is, should i put in more than one seed in each starter, or just one?  compensations for duds vs hope for the best?  whats the philosophy on that?

Comment by S on April 3, 2011 at 6:07pm

Just fyi, there's a groupon for half off $50 of stuff from city escape garden center.

 

http://www.groupon.com/deals/city-escape?c=dnb&p=4

 

Comment by igz on April 3, 2011 at 4:47pm

theyre right down the street from me. saw them getting ready. will have to check them out

Comment by igz on April 1, 2011 at 8:29am

walgreens has seeds at 3/$1.  nothing fancy, the basics, but nice and cheap

Comment by Xavi Soto on March 31, 2011 at 7:54am

im starting my chiles manzanos today at my bosss grow lab where we start seedlings for the talking farm. last year i planted them too late and outdoors but this year they will be in a more controlled setting and actually have time to enjoy the heat. happy day yall!!

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