How To Plant Seeds in Basic Seed Trays

The primary reason for sowing the seeds in trays and pots is so that they can begin their planting early when the harsh weather condition doesn’t make it possible for them to plant a garden outside.

You can start them indoors, probably underneath an artificial light, close to a light source, which could be a bright window, inside a greenhouse, or a cold frame. When you then feel the temperature outside can accommodate the plants, you can move them to your garden.

Planting your seeds outside comes with several advantages, one of which Is that the soil present in the tray will be void of any disease-causing organisms, weed seeds, and insect eggs that may be detrimental to your seeds and prevent them from growing.

Below are a few steps on how to plant seeds in simple seed trays. This method applies to all kinds of seeds, be it vegetable seeds, corn seeds, etc.

Make a Grow Region

1. You should make plans to start planting seeds around 6-12 weeks prior to the ultimate frost date

The plant you have in mind to grow will determine the actual growing time for seeds. Each seed, be it vegetable seeds or papaya seeds have its own specific growing time. 
 
 Ensure that you make necessary plans around the ultimate frost date to ascertain the time to begin germinating your seeds. 
 
 Read whatever instructions that come with the seed packaging to know what to do next.
 
 To obtain growing dates for your area, check the old Farmer’s Almanac.

2. Go for a cell tray that comes with drainage holes for the best alternative

With the aid of a cell tray, your seeds can grow without any interference. You should opt for cell trays that come with drainage holes underneath. These trays can be gotten at any gardening store.
 
 If you notice that your cell tray didn’t come with any holes, create holes with the aid of a knife or any sharp object.

3. The cell tray should be placed in a broad, flat plastic tray

With the aid of the flat plastic tray, watering and moving your seedlings will be very easy. 
 
 Since you’ll want your seedlings to have roots, you’ll have to water the flat plastic tray to make sure that they grow downward.

4. Each cell should be filled to the brim with seed-starting seeds

A sterile option to potting soil that can help enhance seed germination is the seed starting mix. It is cool to fill it to the brim because once wet; the mix will set more.

5. With the aid of a watering can wet the seed starting mix

Ensure that the soil is damp; how do you do this? Thrust your first finger into the soil to your first knuckle; this way, you’ll know if it’s damp or not. 
 
 If there exists excess water in the soil, it should be discarded via the tray under your cells.

Sowing The Seeds

1. Thrust the old seeds in water for about 15 minutes to determine their viability

If the seeds you want to plant are quite old, you’ll have no choice but to subject them to the water viability test. 
 
 To perform this test, dip the seeds in water for 15 minutes, the seeds that float are not viable while the ones that sink are.

2. With the aid of your finger Insert a ¼ inch deep hole in all cells

You don’t have to be accurate with the measurement, so half the length of your fingernail is enough. Press your finger in gently, so you don’t disturb the soil.

3. Two seeds per hole is enough

Planting two seeds per hole may seem weird to you, but this is done so that if one dies or fail to sprout, the other can take its place, and if you observe that both seeds end up growing, you can remove the weakest of the two.

4. The seeds should be concealed with seed starter mix and compressed with the aid of your fingers

Performing this act alone ensures that the seeds have the best contact with the starter mix. Make sure that you press it down gently. 
 
 Pushing the seed further deeper is the wrong choice; your aim is to pack the soil closer.

5. If you plant more than one variety of seeds, tag them

On the body of each cell, make sure you include a label stating what is growing in the particular cell and the date it was planted.

How to Care for Your Tray

• Ensure that the trays are covered with plastic wrap
• The tray should be filled with ½ inch (13mm) of distilled water.
• The tray should be kept in a warm region
• Once you observe that the seedlings have begun to sprout, expose the stray to sunlight, and uncover them.

Planting seeds during harsh climatic conditions is a terrible idea; therefore, we should embrace the technique of planting these seedlings in a simple seed tray. 
 
 Planting seeds in a seed tray is a straightforward process; regardless of the type of seed you wish to plant, the process is still the same. Do you wish to plant vegetable seeds using this process? 
 
 You can purchase vegetable seeds online at Soon Huat Seeds or from the market and follow the process mentioned above. Happy planting!