How to Start Seeds in Peat Pots

Peat pots are made of compressed peat.

Peat pots are made from compressed peat moss, as well as paper waste and other biodegradable materials. The pots are used for starting seedlings, particularly plants that have sensitive roots. The plant and peat pot are together transplanted in the garden with a minimum of disturbance to the plant. Seeds must be planted properly in the peat pots and transplanted correctly to prevent damage to the plants.

Things You'll Need

• Peat pots
• Potting soil
• Tray
• Seeds
• Plastic bag

Instructions

1. Fill individual peat pots to the rim with potting mixture. Fill a tray with 1 to 2 inches of water and place the soil-filled peat pots into the tray. Leave the pots to soak for one to two hours or until the soil surface becomes moist. Drain the excess water from the tray.

2. Sow one to two seeds in each peat pot. Plant the seeds at the depth recommended on the seed packet for the particular plant variety. Many seeds are planted at a depth twice that of their width.

3. Cover the pots with a plastic bag. Set the pots in a warm room to allow seeds to germinate, which likely will take between seven and 21 days depending on the plant. Some plants could take longer. Check the seed packet for the amount of time specific to your seed choice. Most seeds do not require light to germinate, but verify specific needs on the seed envelope.

4. Remove the bag once sprouts appear. Move the pots to a warm, sunny window sill.

5. Water the peat pots when the soil surface begins to feel dry. Set the pots back in a tray of water until the soil surface begins to moisten. Peat pots dry out quickly so check the moisture in the soil every one to two days.

6. Transplant the seedlings to the garden at the time recommended on the seed packet. Dig the planting hole to the same depth as the peat pot. Tear the bottom off the pot, then tear off the rim if it protrudes above the soil level in the pot. Set the pot in the planting hole and fill in around it with soil. Cover the top with just enough soil so the rim of the peat pot is under the soil surface.

Tips & Warnings

• If you plant more than one seed in each peat pot, thin out the extra seedlings once they begin to produce their second sets of leaves. Cut off the smaller seedlings at soil level and leave the strongest one in each pot.

• Peat wicks moisture away from the soil inside the pot. If any part of the peat pot sticks above the soil level after transplanting, moisture cannot access the plant's roots.

References

• Ohio State University Extension: Plant Propagation
• University of Missouri Extension: Starting Plants Indoors From Seed