Planting depth are another critical factor in the germination of seeds. The planting depth for a specific seed will determine whether or not the seed successfuly germinate and grows into a plant. If the planting depth for a seed is too deep, the seed will use all of it’s stored energy germinating before it can reach the surface of the soil.
If a person plants a seed too shallowly, the seed may dry out. The planting depth of a seed should, therefore, match the specific biological requirements of that type of seed to allow it to germinate successfuly. Not all seeds requires the same planting depth.
How to Plant Seeds
The reason for this is due to the energy reserves of each type of seed. Tiny seeds, such as petunia and snapdragon seeds, need a person to press them onto the surface of the soil to allow for germination. Larger seeds, such as nasturtium and sweet pea seeds has enough energy to push through soil that is half an inch deep or more.
Because each type of seed possesses different biological requirements regarding planting depth, all seeds dont need to be buried to the same depth. The temperature of the soil in which the seeds are planted is another critical factor in the germination process. The soil temperature can differ from that of the air temperature.
Many seeds, such as larkspur and sweet pea seeds, germinate best in soil temperatures between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Other seeds, such as sunflower and morning glory seeds, require soil temperatures to be at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. To determine the soil temperature at which the seeds will germinate best, a gardener should use a thermometer to measure the soil temperature at the depth at which the seeds will be planted.
A person can choose between starting seeds indoors or sowing them direct into the ground. Seed starting indoors is beneficial for tender plants, such as petunias, as the seedlings can be transplanted into the ground six to ten weeks before the first frost of the growing season. Seeds can also be directly sown into the ground for hardy plants, such as cosmos and zinnia seeds.
These type of seeds can germinate and grow directly in the soil once the soil has warmed. Other seeds, such as black eyed Susan and lupine seeds, is either hardy or tender so either starting them indoors or directly into the ground. Succession planting seeds every two to three weeks allow for the plants to bloom over a longer period.
Another important factor for planting seeds is proper spacing. If the spacing between snapdragons is too close together, such as every six inches or less, the plants will compete for air. Sunflowers, on the other hand, require more space; providing them with 18 to 24 inches of space will allow there roots to develop and the plants to grow to their full height without falling over.
Allowing for proper spacing between plants will prevent them from competing for necessary resources and prevent any rot that can result from a lack of air circulation around the plant. All seeds require some degree of moisture. However, the moisture requirements for seeds can differ based on the planting depth of the seeds.
Seeds that are planted on the surface of the soil will dry out quickly since they are not covered in soil that will retain the moisture for the seeds. Therefore, these types of seeds may need to be misted every day to ensure that they have moisture for germination. Deep planted seeds, however, have a rot risk if the soil is too moist for the seeds to germinate.
The soil should be well-drained for these types of seed. Additionally, placing a thin layer of vermiculite over shallow rows of planted seeds will help the germinating seeds retain moisture since vermiculite will prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. Before planting any seeds, soil preparation should occur.
The soil should be prepared so that the roots of the plants can breathe proper. It is recommended to use a well-drained soil that is amended with compost. Avoid using fresh manure since it may burn the roots of the plants.
Testing the soil will ensure that the pH of the soil is between 6 and 7; this is the ideal measurement for most plant. If the soil pH is outside of this range, you can add lime or sulfur to the soil to even out the pH. Finally, using black plastic mulch on the soil before planting will warm the soil more fast so that the seeds will germinate faster.
You should of prepared the soil earlier to get better results.