Step-by-Step Seed Starting Process Tutorial for Your Cut Flower Garden

Are you thinking about growing flowers by seed? Here’s a step-by-step seed-starting tutorial for your cut flower garden.

It’s getting to be that time again! Seed sowing time! I’ve been sharing the different aspects of growing a cut flower garden. But I thought it would be helpful for those gardeners who are just starting this process if I shared a step-by-step tutorial on how I sow my seeds.

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Steps For Seed Sowing

Choose the Right Container

Seed-starting containers should be clean and have drainage holes. For several container options, you can read my blog post Supplies Needed for Seed Starting.

More information regarding how to clean your used containers can be found in my post Seed Starting 101 – Growing a Cut Flower Garden Series. I use cell trays and plastic pots for my seed containers.

Use Moist Quality Soil

Use a quality seed starter potting mix. Moisten the soil until it’s thoroughly damp but not soaking wet.

Fill Containers

Fill the container to the top with soil. As you go, tap firmly against the table or shelf to ensure the soil settles and prevent air pockets in the containers.

Label

Label the container with the name of the variety of plants and the date planted.

Make Holes For the Seeds

Read the back of the seed packet for the planting depth. I’ve always followed the rule to plant the seed twice as deep as its longest side if no instructions are available.

Make a hole for the seed in each container using a pencil, dibbler, or finger.

Drop Seeds into Holes

Drop 1-2 seeds into each hole.

Cover Seed Hole with Soil

Unless otherwise stated in the instructions, add a light dusting of seed starter potting mix. For larger seeds, add 1/4 inch of potting soil over the surface, covering the seeds.

Set Container in a Water-Filled Drainage Tray

After sowing the flower seeds, set the container in a drainage tray with an inch of water in the bottom, removing once the soil surface is evenly moist.

It’s important not to let the container sit in the water for more than an hour.

Place on Heat Mat & Cover

Place the container on a heated mat or in a warm corner of your house, and cover it with a clear plastic dome. This will help quicken the seed-starting germination process.

Continue Watering

Continue to check the soil moistness after 2-3 days. Bottom water again as needed.

Remove From Heat Mat & Uncover Once Germinating

Check the container daily. Once the seeds have germinated and the sprouts are visible, remove the plastic dome lids and remove them from the heated mat.

Keep in a light and bright space, such as a greenhouse or sunroom. If you don’t have that option, keep the seedlings under a grow light.

Water as Needed

Check the seedlings daily to ensure the soil doesn’t dry out. The very first leaves that appear on the plant are called cotyledons. Be sure to bottom water your seedlings until you see the first real leaves that appear after the cotyledons.

Once those second sets of leaves appear, water with a gentle spray from a watering can or hose when needed, usually every 1-2 days.

Add Nutrients

Add a small amount of liquid seaweed and fish emulsion blend to your watering can and drench your plants weekly. Follow the labels for directions.

Transplant if Needed

If your seedlings start to outgrow their containers before they’re ready to be planted outdoors, you’ll need to transplant them into a larger container while still growing inside. It’s important to give the roots more room to grow.

Harden Your Seedlings

After the danger of frost has passed, you can begin “hardening off” your plants before transplanting them into the garden. Don’t skip this process, or your plants will go into shock by the sudden change in temperature.

Set the containers in a sheltered spot outdoors, increasing the time they spend outside each day over a week or two. I usually start with 2-3 hours the first day.

Transplant to the Garden

After adequate time to acclimate the plants to extreme temperatures, transplant the seed starts to the garden.

I hope this post provides you with more detailed “at a glance” instructions on how to plant your seeds.

For more detailed information, read my blog post Seed Starting 101—Growing a Cut Flower Garden Series. I address more specifics regarding seed starting there.

If you have any questions or additional suggestions, please share them in the comments below. And be sure to share this blog post link with anyone who may find these gardening tips useful.

Until next time,

Happy Gardening!

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