Planting Site for Seeds

• Check the seed package for the plant's pH range. Plants have different pH ranges they need to grow in to survive. Annuals generally need a range of 6.0 to 7.4, most perennials should be grown in a range of 6.5 to 7.0. and vegetables prefer a whole host of different ranges. Conduct a soil pH test on your planting site and container soil if you are germinating them in a container first. Add lime to the soil if the results come back that it is too acidic. Spread sulfur to alkaline soil. Draw a diagram of your planting sites and note how much sunlight reaches each area. Use your diagram when determining where to grow each type of plant. Most plants need well-draining soil to grow. Planting in heavy clay soil raises the risk of your plant getting root rot. For poor drainage, spread a 2-inch layer of compost and till. Apply a layer of coarse builder's sand and mix the native soil and compost. Conduct another pH test, because the range will change when the compost decomposes.
  
  

Germinating Seeds Indoors

• Specific seeds need to be sown indoors, because they are too small to grow outside, need a certain temperature to germinate or must have light from fluorescent fixtures to stimulate their growth. Be sure to read the label closely to find out which plants can be directly sown outdoors and which plants need to be grown in containers and then transplanted. Small seeds like nicotianas and snapdragons can be broadcasted on seed trays and later moved when they grow leaves to cells. Check the temperature range that the seeds need to germinate. Some like colder temperatures, while others need a light. You can use peat pots, foam cubes or peat pellets to grow your seeds. Avoid ever using native soil, because it hasn't been sterilized and may contain fungal diseases. Keep your seeds moist during germination. Allowing them to dry out will kill the seed embryo.
  
  

Sowing Seeds Outdoors and Spacing

• Remove any vegetation from the garden area, because other plants will compete with the seeds for soil nutrients and moisture. Break up the topsoil with a rake. Your seed package should indicate the appropriate spacing for your seeds. The information should also tell you how much space you should allow between rows, which is determined by how extensive the root system is. Sweet corn has a large root system that requires it to have 3 feet between rows. Follow the information, because grouping too many seeds together will result in poor air circulation that can cause diseases to spread. A seed spacer is a useful tool for making sure you get the right amount of space. The general rule about seed depth is the smaller the seed the closer to the surface it should be planted, which is about 2 to 3 inches. However, this is not always the case. For example, parsley must be planted deeper because it needs total darkness to grow. Take notes about the spacing and the depth before sowing the seeds in your yard.