Advocate • Connect September/October 2019 25
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Gardening
Inside each seed is all that’s required for the seed to germinate
and start its processes in the world. Even in the smallest seed there
is a pair of cotyledon leaves which the germinated seed pushes
out of the soil so photosynthesis can begin, bringing in energy to
promote root growth and grow the first set of true leaves.
Sowing and growing
Most packs of seed come with sowing instructions, but there are
a few tips and tricks to help with the germination. Selecting the
varieties you wish to grow is the first thing, and when you do,
climatic conditions, growing seasons and soil types all come into
play. It could be quite difficult to ripen some tomato or watermelon
varieties in the deep south, whereas in the more northern areas of
the country lettuces should be able to grow all year round.
The best place to plant a seed is in the position where the plant
is to grow. Indeed, some varieties such as coriander, parsley and
some Chinese greens should only be sown directly, as transplanting
usually causes bolting to seed. Beans, peas and carrots too require
direct sowing for best results.
Often a seed bed can be pre-warmed by putting a cloche or a
strip of black plastic over the soil for a few days prior to sowing – it
can even be put back after sowing for a few days, but plastic must
be removed before the seed emerges from the soil.
Sowing in cell trays or open trays can make for easier
management; bigger seed is easier to use in cell trays and finer seed
is better sown in open trays. Mixing very fine seed with dry sand
before sowing helps to achieve an even distribution of the seed and
helps to show where the seed has been sown.
With very small seed, the seed-raising mixture only needs a
firming by hand, as the seed will fall into the nooks and crannies of
the mixture and will be deep enough. With bigger seed the general
rule of thumb is sow to the same depth as the seed is long.
Strong, healthy plants
Aside from heating sowing mediums prior to sowing (seed trays
can be put somewhere warm like an airing cupboard for a few days
prior to sowing), it is worth the effort to water the seed beds with
tepid water, until the seed has germinated and appeared above the
soil. Using water straight from the tap can cool the seedbed down
and can cause strike failure.
With difficult-to-strike seeds such as carrots and peas, the
main problem is the seed bed being too wet or too dry. An old
method is to lay a plank of wood over the sown seed lines to keep
the soil moist but not wet. Keep a close watch on the seed and once
above ground remove the plank of wood.
Much of the success in growing from seed is to source locally
grown (as in New Zealand) and certified organic. Fresh seed
Dave’s t op picks for spring
should be packed full of energy, which in turn means a quick
germination and strong healthy plants. Old seed may germinate,
but the resulting plant may be slow to grow and susceptible to
disease and insect attack.Dave Treadwell is a seed grower with over 25 years’
experience. He is CEO of Wellington seed supplier ecoseeds:
http://www.ecoseeds.co.nzPhoto: iStock/solarisimagesPhoto: iStock/JuliaDementeva