Teaching Organic Farming and Gardening

Propagation/Greenhouse Management

Unit 1.3 | 25

Demonstration 3: Sowing Seed

for the instructor

OVERVIEW PREPARATION AND MATERIALS

1. Assemble a selection of different cell/plug trays.


2. Assemble wooden flats suitable for seed sowing.


3. Bring both large (sunflowers, squash, etc.) and small
   seeds (lettuce, larkspur, snapdragon, etc.) to illustrate the
   range of seed sizes.


4. Bring any mechanical seeding devices such as sliding
   plate seeders and seeds appropriate to their use.

PREPARATION TIME

1 hour

DEMONSTRATION TIME

1 hour

DEMONSTRATION OUTLINE

A. Seed Sowing Techniques

1. Demonstrate container-filling techniques


2. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each
   container format (see appendix 3)


3. Demonstrate sowing and coverage techniques (see
   appendix 1)
   a) Discuss and demonstrate techniques for broadcasting
   and drilling seed into flats, including proper depth
   b) Discuss the significance of seed density as it relates to
   potential future competition and timing of pricking
   out
   c) Discuss and demonstrate sowing by hand into cell
   type trays
   d) Discuss and demonstrate sowing into cell trays with a
   sliding plate seeder or other mechanisms


4. Discuss labeling and record keeping and their
   importance in maintaining variety distinctions, trouble
   shooting, and future crop planning (see appendix 10)


5. Discuss and demonstrate watering-in techniques


6. Discuss and demonstrate optimal min/max germination
   temperatures (see appendix 2)


7. Discuss days to germination at varying temperatures
   (see appendix 4)


8. Discuss and demonstrate optimal post-germination
   growing temperatures for seedlings (see appendix 5)

Demonstration 3

In this demonstration students

should observe and participate in

sowing a variety of different seed

types and sizes in both cell trays and

wooden flats. Students will review

the advantages and disadvantages

of each format and why certain

crops may be better suited to a

particular method. In this session, a

discussion and look at various seed

sizes will illustrate the importance of

sowing seeds to appropriate depths

to ensure a high percentage of

germination and seedling survival.