Like bees spreading pollen from flower to flower…like birds dropping left over snacks…like wind shaking loose helicopter seeds from the maple trees…Natures’ seeds will always find way to spread.
One of the most important aspects of growing a garden for “real” or nutrient dense food is consciously choosing your seed or cultivars. Seeds with vigor, integrity and purity is a pillar of healthy food. It’s as important as vital soil, water and sunshine. Humans who live close to the land tell us that seed is the foundation of Life.
Our partnership with the Bionutrient Food Lab to distinguish the factors that create nutrient dense food through the lens of science is also demonstrating this to us.
We’ve put together some basic (and also not-so-basic) advice for you when choosing and starting your seedlings.
Our goal is to teach you to grow food that has nourishment - and we’ve learned that there are a few tricks!
Here’s some of the knowledge and insight we’ve gleaned from farmers and scientists of Nature.
Source Native-grown, Locally-adapted, Organic Seeds whenever possible. If you save your seeds, all the better! Seeds that are locally-adapted and native to where you’re living and growing have unique benefits for you and your land.
A good rule of thumb is to plant your seeds no sooner that 3 weeks before the recommended transplant date for your growing zone. Seedlings that grow too long in tiny pots will not grow as big as those that have LOTS of room to grow when they’re “young”. (We’ll have more on the “early childhood development” of seeds soon!)
A pinch of the Next 7 Seed Inoculant inside your opened seed packet before planting each seed will give your plants the microbiome that they need to stay strong and grow good fruits and vegetables for you. (Yes, a plant has microbiome, too! We’ll have more on this for you as well.)
Give your seeds plenty of Light and Heat. Seedlings with about 8 hours of full, direct sunlight thrive. However, 4-6 hours can still offer them healthy growth, if this not possible. You may purchase a heating pad to keep your seed trays warm until the garden soil is warm.
Be sure to keep balanced and consistent moisture throughout the soil. Water gently and evenly, avoiding “sogginess”.
If needed, you can transfer the seedlings from the seed trays into larger individual containers to support their growth until they’re ready to be put in the ground.
Be prepared to slowly introduce your seedlings to the outside world by taking them outside when the temperature is above 70 degrees. To ensure they’ll be ready for transplant, they’ll need to be “hardened off”. Be sure to bring them inside at night until the soil warms up and they’re ready to be planted.
Be sure to check the link below for a Growing Calendar to find out what zone you’re in. This will give you a good idea of when you can expect to start seeds, plant and harvest.
If you’re up for learning something new, we highly recommend checking out the Josephine Porter Institute for learning about biodynamic agriculture and gardening. You can get a nifty biodynamic calendar that will guide you for planning your garden according to not the movement of the sun, but also the moon and the Cosmos - and SO much more! You’ll be amazed at how growing food biodynamically impacts the health of your plants, soil, land and YOU!
If you don’t have the space, time or patience for sprouting your own seeds, buying seed starts from a reputable farm or nursery is a good option. We love visiting our local, organic and biodynamic local farm, Aspen Moon, in the Spring and going crazy with loads of vegetable and herb plants!
While we recommend that you do research in your local area for seed growers or seed banks, if you don’t have access, we’ve put together a list of some seed companies we recommend.
