Gardening is a fun, healthy, and peaceful activity millions of people enjoy. However, it is also an efficient activity that can provide delicious, nutritious produce for free! Most people agree that home-grown fruits and vegetables are superior in flavor and quality to those sold in grocery stores.
By growing your produce, you can control what varieties you get, what gets sprayed on them, and when they are harvested. You won't have to put up with bland, under-ripe, and pesticide-soaked food from the store, and you'll never have to purchase another starter plant! Here's how to grow your own from seed.
Collect Seeds
You don't even have to go out and purchase seeds to get started. All you need to do is save seeds from the produce you eat, or plants you currently have
- Carefully remove seeds from the plant. This can involve collecting seed pods, flower heads, or fruits
- If seeds are in pods or capsules, wait until they start to split open naturally.
- Remove any chaff or plant material. Some seeds need to be cleaned and dried before storing
- Spread seeds out in a single layer on a paper towel or a screen in a cool, dry place.
- Ensure they are completely dry to prevent mold during storage
- Place seeds in labeled envelopes, bags, or jars.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Some seeds can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer for longer shelf life.
Planting Time
The beauty of growing from seed is that you can start most fruit and vegetable seeds indoors before planting them outside. This helps to ensure they're protected from fungus and insect damage while in their most delicate stage of life.
When seedlings are large enough to handle and have developed a few sets of true leaves, transplant them to their final location, either in the garden or in larger pots.
Most seedlings can be safely planted outside after the threat of frost has passed.
Location Matters
When it's time, plant your seedlings outside in a spot with full sun for most of the day. Good soil is a must. If your soil contains a lot of clay or is too dry, add some peat moss, sand, perlite, and high-quality compost until it is light and loamy. You'll be enjoying fresh, tasty fruits and vegetables quickly!
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