Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
These seedlings are just beginning to sprout in the warmth of the sunny window and grow light.
Temperature.
Seeds need to reach the correct temperature in order to germinate. Until that mini-
mum temperature requirement is met, they stay dormant. It's this dormancy that allows the seed to
store for so long.
Some indoor seed starting kits have heating pads under the container to warm the soil. Other gar-
deners use cold frames, greenhouses, or warm windowsills to start seeds ahead of the season. Grow
lights can provide both light and warmth for growing seeds.
Light.
Seeds also need light to grow. Whether it's sunlight from a window or an artificial light
doesn't matter. Because sunlight levels are so vital for a healthy garden, it's no surprise that light
is important for the plants' seeds as well. The most important aspect of light is not how long it
lasts, but how bright it is. If light is too weak, the seedlings will grow long and lanky, and be much
weaker when transplanted to the garden.
If you grow your seedlings in a window so they'll have natural light, instead of grow lights, be sure
you turn the seed tray each day. Seedlings will naturally grow toward the light, so if you never turn
the tray your seedlings will have a noticeable lean.
