Growing Plants From Seed
We can no longer be complacent in the anonymity of how we grow our food, or if we can grow it, here is a perfect example of Monsanto's influence. Read here -
we need to find solutions that helps our bodies and food system for future generations. here is the Biointensive Method -
How to grow high quality seedlings using the
Regaining our health and ensuring the soil and what you eat is grown is crucial I'm taking back our own paths in health. Here is the method below.
1. Use a specific organic seed raising mix or a home-made
one. All other seed raising mixes contain fungicide
which will kill all the beneficial microorganisms. These
micro-organisms are vital for healthy, high Brix* plants.
2. Use a seedling tray that is a minimum of 6−7 cm deep.
Shallow trays do not provide enough depth to grow the
best roots.
3. Check seed packets, to ensure you plant
the seeds at the optimum time for their germination,
and you understand the best way to plant them. Some
can be planted close together and then pricked out at
2.5cm diagonal spacings, others are best scatter sown
in trays, and then transplanted directly in the garden. P seeds of a similar size in a tray together, so you
can easily cover them with the correct amount of
seed raising mix. Cover with the same soil depth as
the seeds are deep. Too much soil will prevent seeds
from germinating.
5. Label seeds carefully. Use waterproof pen on strips of
plastic or wooden sticks.
6. Keep your seeds evenly moist but not too wet. Tiny
seeds are particularly sensitive to too much moisture as
they germinate. Use a watering can or sprinkler head
that allows water to fall like soft rain.
7. Once the seeds begin germinating they must have full
light conditions or they will grow leggy very fast.
8. Once your seedlings have germinated, with their first
two leaves above ground, if they are seedlings that need
pricking out, they must be pricked out into another
tray at the optimal diagonal spacing for that seedling.
9. Handle the seedlings very carefully by their leaf
tips only when transplanting. We use a ‘widger’ or a
teaspoon handle to lift them out of the seed tray to
transplant them. Plant the seedlings so that the leaves
are just above the surface of the soil, bury them up to
their shoulders, so that the stem is covered.
10. All seedlings will need to be protected from wind
and rain until they are almost ready to plant into the
garden. Check the seed packets for details on when to
plant into your garden and at what spacing.
11. Continue to water your seedlings in the way that most
resembles gentle falling rain.
12. You can use a foliar feed to encourage healthy growth and
raise the Brix* levels of your plants. EF Nano-Cal or EF Bio-
Cal, or EF Growth Foliar spray, EF Cal Phos or something
you have made yourself with vermicast or seaweed. You can
use a refractometer to test what is working.
13. Hardening off your seedlings before transplanting
into the garden is very important. Place your tray of
seedlings on an outside but sheltered bench where the
birds or chickens can’t scratch them out, for 3 days
prior to transplanting to avoid transplanting shock.
14. Storing your seeds: Seeds are alive and need to be stored
with care to ensure their viability. It is important to
store your seeds in a dry cool environment, away from
sunlight and moisture.
Seed Raising Mix: Seed raising mix should be of a fine
consistency, with no large lumps or pieces in it. This is
especially important for fine seeds. Adding 1 teaspoon
of EF Nano-Cal or lime per tray and a pinch of seedling
inoculant will be beneficial to all seed raising mixes. We
add a handful of EF Nature’s Garden if we use commercial
mix, even organic mixes. The seedlings grow far better.
Make your own: To make your own high quality seed
raising mix you need 1/3 high quality mineralised compost,
1/3 sieved free draining aerobic garden soil, and 1/3 sand.
If you have no high quality compost use half soil, half sand
and add 1 cup of vermicast per tray, mixed in well. If you’re
just getting started, or your compost is lacking in minerals
or biological activity, you can add a handful of EF Nature’s
Garden to each tray as well.
1 comment
This is amazing thanks guys