If you look at my last blog post and count the rows up, you'll notice that I don't have enough rows for all these plants. SO! The true first step of starting seed germination... COUNT... Whoops. Skipped that. Fixed now.
Back to Germination. Tomatoes, Artichoke, and Tomatillos are easy for germination - Plant in the loose, seed beneficial soil, keep warm (65-80F), and moist.
Now, seed soil should allow drainage so not to cause rot... Do Not Use Planting Soil... If you want, you can make your own, use the expanding seed soil pods, or whatever else (I've read some people using paper) - just do some research prior to experimenting. Most seed starting mixes use peat moss or coir (back to drainage) and then cooked compost (150F to kill pathogens) and then maybe some vermiculite or perlite (drainage again). Get the picture?
Honestly, it's funny that soil needs all that drainage so so the seeds and baby plants don't rot, and yet the next important step is moisture/watering... (The third most important temp... but I'm sure your house isn't lower than 60F... and if you are growing in an outside greenhouse = heater)
ANYWAY.
Place seeds in seed starting soil per normal direction for Tomatoes, Artichokes, Tomatillos, Etc.
Peppers, I pre-soak. Always have, always will... It helps germination for me - Supposedly it softens the shell, starts the germination process... or something...
Either way. My method. Set up cups for how many types of seeds you have. Place Hot (85-100F) water into cups.
Add Seeds and then soak for 8 hours. Check temp and if water cools below 75F, drain (till 1/4-1/8 left with seeds in) and re-fill with hot water (85-100F) as needed.
Then plant in cells or flats and keep moist! (Depends on your system on how you water.)
Doesn't this just say YAY Spring!???
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