How to Sow a Seed
Gardening often starts with a seed. The seed is planted in the soil, which activates the germination process and develops a single sprout into a plant. It is sometimes necessary to sow seeds indoors in trays or containers filled with potting soil until the plants have grown enough for transplanting. When sowing seeds outside, the time of year and geographical location must be right, so that the plants are able to survive the weather conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Select a location in the appropriate growing conditions if you are planting it outside. Locate it in a sunny or partially shaded area depending on its needs.
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Test the soil at the location you selected. Use a soil test kit to determine the pH level and nutrients in the soil. Dig up the dirt and follow the directions on the kit to put it in vials and test it. Add fertilizer to the soil if the nutrients are off. Apply a sulfur amendment to make the soil more acidic. Apply a lime amendment to make the soil more alkaline. Cast it over the soil, following the package directions for quantity.
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Dig a small hole in the location and fill it with water to test the drainage of the area. If the water disappears, the drainage it fine. Fill the hole back in. If it doesn't drain, improve the soil in the area or find a new location. Mix in compost, mulch, leaves and other organic material with a hoe or tiller to help improve drainage. Add about 2 inches of amendments for every 6 to 8 inches of soil depth.
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Dig a hole or row for the seeds, depending on how many your are sowing. If planting in a pot, fill the pot with potting soil, then make a small hole in the center. The depth of the hole or row depends on the plant you are growing, but usually it is anywhere from 1/4 inch to 1 inch deep. Some flower bulbs must be buried several inches down, so read the package to be sure. Fill over the seed with soil.
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Water the soil to dampen it down to a depth of 2 inches. Do not create soggy soil. Keep the soil damp to the touch by checking it every day. Allow it to almost fully dry before adding water. Soil should spring back under your touch. If it stays depressed, then it is too wet.
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Tips & Warnings
Find out information on the type of seed, and eventual plant, you are growing. Some plants require certain types of soil, locations or temperatures in order to grow. Your local extension agent can help with this if you do not know. If you bought a seed packet, then the information should be on the back of the packet.
Some plants like acidic soil, which is level 1 through 6.5, and some like alkaline, which is 7.5 through 14. Level 7 is neutral. Most plants don't like the extremes, but rather hover somewhere between 6 and 8.
