Before planting seeds in your garden, it’s important to plan what you want to grow. Once you have a plan, you need to read the seed package carefully to understand each plant’s specific requirements (what makes them super happy to grow.) This information will help you plant your seeds correctly and set you up for a successful gardening season!
Key Terms to Look for
on a Seed Package:
Planting Depth: The planting depth tells you how deep a seed should be placed in the soil. Generally, seeds should be planted no deeper than their own diameter. For some plants, you’ll plant them directly on top of moist soil 💦 without any soil covering them, while others may need to be buried up to an inch deep.
Thinning: You may need to thin your seeds once they have germinated and started to sprout. This means removing some plants or parts of the plants to prevent overcrowding. The seed packet will tell you how far apart the remaining seedlings should be to give them enough space to grow properly.
Sun/Shade: This refers to the amount of daylight your plant needs. Every plant has specific sunlight needs, whether it’s full or partial sun. The seed packet will indicate how much light the plant requires, so you can choose the best spot for it in your garden or growing area.
Days to Germination: This indicates how long it will take for the seeds to sprout after planting. It’s a helpful way to track your progress 📆 and adjust your care as needed.
Maturity: This is the number of days it takes for the plant to grow and be ready for harvest. Knowing the maturity time helps you plan your gardening schedule and ensures you’ll be able to enjoy your harvest at its peak. 🍅
Start Indoors: Some seeds need to be started indoors, especially if you’re in a colder climate. The seed packet will indicate when to start your seeds indoors so they’re ready to be planted outside once the risk of frost has passed.
Choose Your Seeds Wisely!
Once you understand the information on the seed packet, you can decide which plants you'd like to grow and start planning your garden. Take your time and select the seeds that suit your space and your needs! 🌿
🌿 Stay tuned for our next Junior Garden Club blog post—more gardening tips and tricks are on the way! 🌼👩🌾
Happy Growing!!