Growing a plant from seed is one of the most amazing aspects of home gardening. Each seed is a bundle of genetic information ready to burst.
Seed was and still is important in the development of our nation. Our ancestors brought seeds that had been passed down through their families when they moved to America. Seeds were a low-cost means to establish old favorites from the old country. Green plants would not survive. Seed was the perfect package to travel on the long dusty journeys across country to fertile new farms.
Seeds have always been the primary method to introduce new cultivars. There are typically more options when using seeds than purchasing plants.
Growing plants from seed is not difficult if certain key information is followed. Most of this information is found on the seed packet. When buying seed in packets, stay away from the brands that have no planting or cultural information.
Front of packet
The front of the package often has a colorful picture of the plant when fully ripe or in bloom. I can remember as a boy I would stand in front of the revolving display of seed packs. My eyes would glaze over at the amazing color and variety of seeds. I would start to choose my seeds, one by one.
I would always buy many more packets than I had room in the garden. Come to think about it, I still do this each year. I see many other people standing and doing the exact same thing.
A similar phenomenon happens when I pick seeds from a catalog. Everything looks so wonderful. I have to try something new every year.
The front of the seed pack usually lists the common plant name and perhaps the specific variety or cultivar. Good companies will have the exact botanical Latin name as well.
The number or weight of the seeds is also found on the packet. Sometimes the company will have information or symbols that will say the vegetables can be preserved by freezing or canning. There may be claims of disease resistance.
Back of packet
The back has most of the information needed for success. There are usually planting charts, growing tips, harvesting information and cooking ideas.
Time to plant is very important. Some plants need warm soil for germination. These seeds, like tomatoes or peppers, should be started indoors if an early harvest is desired.
Some plants won’t grow well in the hot summer heat. Grow lettuce, broccoli or cabbage in spring and fall. Plants have different requirements for sun.
The package will give information on seed spacing. Most gardeners sow the seeds a little thick, then thin the seedlings out after they germinate.
Planting depth should be followed exactly or the seeds may not be able to push their way out of the soil.
Some seeds require light to germinate, so just lay them on the soil surface. Some require total darkness, so cover the planting container so that no light is available until the seeds germinate.
A useful bit of information is the approximate time to maturity. For instance, the packet may say that lettuce needs 30 days from planting to harvest. Successive planting could be made every 10 days to ensure a continuous supply.
The date the seeds were packaged is also required by law. Seeds can lose their viability over time. This information has been gathered from extensive testing by the seed companies.
Seeds of love
The Chattanooga Area Food Bank is having its spring plant sale today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Most plants were started from seed this spring by Master Gardener volunteers working at the new Evelyn Davenport Navarre Teaching Greenhouse. This sale is in this new facility behind the food bank on Curtain Pole Road, just off Amnicola Highway. There are hundreds of vegetables, herbs, perennials, annuals and house plants for sale. Come and see this wonderful new garden facility.
Contact Tom Stebbins at tstebbins@utk.edu or 855-6113.