5 Creative Ways To Use Leftover Seed – Don’t Throw It Away!
Every gardener knows the frustration of having too much seed left over at the end of the growing season. Try these creative ways to use it.
Every gardener knows the frustration of having too much seed left over at the end of the growing season. Try these creative ways to use it.
Choosing good quality seeds can be a challenge. It’s good to know if some seeds are better than others.
Some seeds need to be germinated indoors, but others would rather be directly sown into the garden. Learn which are which.
If you love feeding birds but don’t enjoy the dropped-seed weeds, here are some solutions.
Learning about the anatomy of seeds and how they germinate is a fascinating study. Read on.
Saving seeds is a smart way to ensure your next crop will be delicious. Click here to learn all the basics.
Did you know that you can use many different kinds of seeds for growing sprouts? Read on to learn about growing seeds for salad sprouts.
The best way to start seeds depends upon a lot of factors: temperature, time of year, humidity levels, light, plant medium, variety. Read on to learn the best places to start seeds.
If you typically wait to grow transplants from the garden center or to sow outside, consider the benefits of growing seeds indoors this year.
Starting flowers from seed is an easy way to add color to the home landscape. Learning how to start flower seeds indoors can give a grower an important jump start on the new growing season.
Have you ever had issues growing things with teeny, tiny seeds? Meet the solution: pellet seeds. What are pellet seeds? Click here to find out.
To direct sow seeds means planting directly into the garden bed where the plant will remain. Read on to learn more about direct sowing.
A soil blocking tool is a perfect way to efficiently grow healthier seedings with less plastic waste. Click here for DIY soil block ideas.
Starting seed at the right time allows plants mature before the end of the season. Click to learn how to plan out your spring planting.
Many seeds from the past are tens of thousands of years old. The ancient heirloom seeds are a crucial key to ancestral life and the evolution of the planet's flora. Click to learn more.
Ideally you know a friend or family member that can pass along their prized heirloom tomato seeds, but not everyone gets that lucky. Keep reading to learn how to find heirloom seeds sources.
If you’ve established a large collection of seed packets over time you’ve maybe wondered if your seeds are still good?
Like most activities this pandemic year, planning is key to ensure everyone is socially distanced and stays healthy. Click here for tips on how to have a safe seed swap.
Selecting beginner flower seeds is key in learning more about growing your own garden, as well as creating a beautiful outdoor space.
Your first vegetable garden should be fun, easy and prolific. This article will help get your first garden off to a great start.
Exploring where to get seeds and seed buying is an easy way to ensure that as a grower, you’re ready when warmer weather finally arrives.
The notion of giving seeds to gardeners may seem simple, but there are a few important aspects to keep in mind. Click here for more info.
Growing plants from seeds is rewarding, but what do you do with leftover seed packets? Save them, reuse them, or craft with them here.
Starting crops from seed is a common, economical way to get plants for your garden. Use the tips listed here to avoid seed starting mistakes.
Seed starter pots from newspaper are simple to make and an environmentally friendly use of the material. Click here to learn how to make them.
Seed package abbreviations are an integral part of successful gardening, but what do these codes on seed packets mean? Learn more here.
By selecting plants for your region and planting at the right time in fall, you can get blooms or veggies earlier. Learn more here.
Harvesting seeds in fall is a great way to save money and share seeds with friends. Find tips for collecting fall seeds from plants here.
Flower seeds for fall planting is just one way to begin planning for spring and summer gardens next season. Click here to learn more.
A difficult period of being forced to stay home calls for spending as much time gardening as possible. Fast growing seeds are perfect. Learn more here.
How can you identify seedlings without mistaking them for weeds? Even for the most seasoned gardeners, this can sometimes be tricky. Learning to identify veggie seedlings is vital for your garden. Click here for some tips and tricks that can help.
Starting your own plants from seed is a great way to save money when gardening. Yet, dragging bags of starting soil into the house is messy. If you enjoy raising your plants from seed but hate the hassle, you might want to try coir pellets. Click here for more info.
Were you disappointed in the germination results when you planted seed balls? Many gardeners are reporting low germination rates when using this method. The solution lies in choosing the correct planting time for seed balls. This article can help with that.
One of the most frustrating things in the garden is a lack of germination. While some will germinate quite readily, others may need the use of seed stratifying methods to achieve optimal germination rates. This article will help explain the wet vs. dry stratification methods.
What is a heat mat for plants, and exactly what does it do? The one basic function of a heat mat is to gently warm the soil, thus promoting faster germination and strong, healthy seedlings. For more information and to learn just how to use a heat mat to start seeds, click here.
If you're looking for a soilless substrate for seed starting, stem rooting or hydroponics, consider using rockwool growing medium. A wool-like material, rockwool for plants is easy to use and available in cubes and blocks. Learn about rockwool in this article.
The age-old question from beginning gardeners is often how many seeds should I plant per hole or per container. There is no standard answer. Several factors figure into seed planting numbers. Click this article for more information.
Hosting a seed swap provides an opportunity to share seeds from heirloom plants or tried and true favorites with other gardeners in your community. You may even save a little money. How to organize a seed swap? Click this article for seed swap ideas.
Storing seeds in containers allows you to keep them safely organized until they are ready to be planted in spring. What makes good seed storage containers? Chances are you probably have several of these already lying around the house somewhere. Click here to learn more.
Smart seed storage keeps seed at optimum temperatures and allows you to easily find the variety you need in seconds. Here's where seed organization tips can keep your seed stock well taken care of and in useful array. Click this article for more information.
Seed starting can take a lot of time and resources. But if you look around your house, you may just find some materials you won’t need to buy to get your plants started – like egg cartons. Learn more about using egg cartons for seed starting in this article.
A terrific method for starting seeds that can be started earlier is milk jug winter sowing, which is basically sowing seeds in a milk jug that becomes a mini greenhouse. Want to learn more about milk jug seed pots? Click the following article for additional info.
Germination is essential for what we do as gardeners. Whether starting plants from seeds or using transplants, germination has to happen for gardens to exist. By learning more about the process and what seeds need, you can get better results in the garden. Learn more here.
One of the biggest thrills of gardening is watching the seeds you plant turn into little seedlings a week or so later. But seedling issues can cause those new, little shoots to die. Why did my seedling die, you ask? Find out in this article.
In the garden we plant colorful flowers and plants with different heights, colors and textures, but how about plants that have pretty seeds? This can be just as important. Click the following article to learn about plants with interesting seed pods.
One important role is given to a seed structure known as the elaiosome. This fleshy appendage to a seed is related to and is crucial for improving the odds of germination and successful development into a mature plant. Learn more about this here.
The concept of atomic gardening may sound as if it belongs in a science fiction novel, but gamma ray gardening is a real part of history. With radiation, and plants produced using it, we have improved varieties of fruits and vegetables available today. Learn more here.
Many forms of blight, leaf spot, and mildew occur through the planting of contaminated seed. In recent years, many growers have turned to the process of hot water seed treatment as a means of prevention for these crop diseases. Learn more about this here.
While it’s easy to get the hefty seeds spaced appropriately in the garden, smaller seeds don’t sow as easily. That’s where seed tape comes in handy, and the great news is that you can make your own seed tape. For a seed-tape how to, click this article.
While many hybrid cultivars offer growers vegetable varieties that perform well under a wide range of conditions, many may prefer open-pollinated varieties. What does open pollinated mean when it comes to selecting seeds for the home garden? Learn more here.
We all want a jump start on the growing season and there are few better ways than germinating seeds in a bag. Seeds in plastic bags are in a mini greenhouse which keeps them moist and warm to speed sprouting. Learn more about this planting method here.
Starting seeds in sponges is a neat trick that is not difficult to do. Small seeds that germinate and sprout quickly work best for this technique, and once they’re ready, you can transplant them to pots or garden beds. Click this article to learn more.
The task of planting small seeds may feel daunting to some. Luckily, the use of gardening seed tape can help gardeners sow seeds easily and precisely within vegetable planting beds. How does seed tape work? Click on the following article to learn more.
Are old seeds still good for planting, or is it better to get new ones? We ran the test ourselves - click to see the results.
Vivipary is the phenomenon that involves seeds germinating prematurely while they are still inside or attached to the parent plant or fruit. It occurs more often than you might think. Learn more here, including what to do if you see seeds germinating in the plant.
Botanists often use agar to produce plants in sterile conditions. What is agar? It is created out of plants and acts as a perfect stabilizing or gelling agent. Learn more about this growing medium and using agar for plant growth in this article.
Occasionally seed packets include "sow thinly." What does sow thinly mean? This term is used for very tiny seeds, each of which has the potential to become a little plant. It helps prevent wasted seed and overcrowding amongst the seedlings. Learn more in this article.
What is a seed? It is technically described as a ripened ovule, but it is so much more than that. Seeds house an embryo, the new plant, nourish and protect it. All types of seeds fulfill this purpose, but what do seeds do for us outside of growing new plants? Find out here.
Many times people will hesitate to ask a question like: "What is a seed head?" because they are afraid it will make them look stupid. Truth is, there are no stupid questions. In this article, we will cover how to recognize a seed head on plants.
If you are looking for sustainable gardening practices, you may want to consider using plantable pots for gardening. These containers will allow you to reduce the use of plastic and/or clay materials in your garden. Learn more about them in this article.
You may have heard that nicking plant seeds before attempting to germinate them is a good idea. In fact, some seeds require this, so it?s important to know how to nick flower seeds as well as other plant seeds before starting your garden. Learn more in this article.
While your garage, garden shed or basement may stay cool, they can also be humid and damp during certain times of the year. You may wonder how cool is too cool, and does freezing kill seeds. Click this article to learn more about storing seeds in the freezer.
For gardeners, survival seed storage is not only a future food source in cases of dire need but also a good way to continue a favorite heirloom plant. This article includes information and tips on how to create a survival seed vault.
There are numerous ways to start your own seeds - some of them more economical than others. A super cool idea that is running amok on the internet is using ice cream cone plant pots. Intrigued? Find out how to start seeds in ice cream cones here.
Perhaps, you may have ended up with wet seed packets. If this happened, I am sure you have a number of questions. Can I plant seeds that got wet? What do I do when the seed packets get wet? How to save wet seeds, if possible. Learn more here.
Cotyledons may be one of the first visible signs a plant has germinated. What is a cotyledon? It is the embryonic part of a seed which stores fuel for further growth. Learn more about cotyledons in this article. Click here for more info.
Have you started seedlings indoors that began healthy and green, but all of a sudden turned yellow when you weren't looking? It's a common occurrence, and it may or may not be a problem. Read this article to learn more about yellowing seedlings.
What is a seed lending library? It loans seeds to gardeners. Exactly how does a seed lending library work? A seed library works much like a traditional library - but not quite. Read this article for more specific seed library information.
Depending on the type of fungal disease, seedlings may take on a twisted or water-soaked appearance, sometimes with fuzzy mold on the surface of the soil. Click here to learn about fungus in seed trays and tips for fungus control when seed starting.
Do seedling plants need darkness to grow or is light preferable? Plants and light have a very close relationship, and sometimes a plant's growth, and even germination, can only be triggered by extra light. Click here to learn more.
Planting by seed is a rewarding way to start plants and satisfy that green thumb urge. It is important to know how to direct sow seeds, and if and when to sow seeds outdoors. The information in this article will help with that.
If you find yourself with a plethora of citrus rinds, you may be wondering if there are any beneficial or ingenious ways to use citrus rinds. The amazing aromatic power of citrus aside, did you know you can grow seedlings in citrus peels? Click here to learn more.
Care for seedlings once sprouted amounts to more than just giving them water. Healthy, robust plants produce faster with higher yields, which is a winning situation for the gardener. A few tips on how to take care of seedlings can be found here.
One of the best bangs for your gardening buck is a reseeding plant. The term refers to plants that set viable seed and grow anew the next season. But how do you manage these plants? Click here to learn more.
Starting your plants from seed allows you to get a jump start on the season. That said, they are sensitive to changes in moisture and humidity that can algae growth and other fungal issues. Get the reasons for this and how to prevent it here.
Did you ever wonder what constitutes an organic plant? The USDA has a set of guidelines for this. Read here for a guide to true organic seed gardening so you are armed with information to protect you and your family.
Starting a seed bank is an easy way to contribute to the protection of your regional fauna and ensure future generation?s access to them. What is a seed bank? Read here for information on creating your own seed storage.
When collecting seeds from the plants, you may find that the seed pods are soggy. Why is this and are the seeds still ok to use? Learn more about whether drying out wet seeds is possible in this article.
It's time to start your garden, but when do you start seeds? The answer depends upon your zone. Read the following article to get some important seed starting tips. Click here for more information.
When it comes to the topic GMO garden seeds, there can be a lot of confusion. Many questions abound. Find out more about GMO seed information in this article. Click here to learn more now.
While seeds may be started in standard garden soil, there are a number of reasons to use a seed starting soilless medium instead. Learn more about using soilless planting mix for seeds in this article.
When it comes to seed germination, many people do not realize that some seeds require cold treatment in order for them to sprout properly. Read this article to learn more about seed stratification.
Many people prefer to start flower and vegetable gardens from seeds. While understanding seed packet info may seem confusing, correctly interpreting the seed packet directions is fundamental. Learn more here.
It happens to the best of gardeners. You plant your seeds and a few come up looking a little different. On closer inspection, you find the seed coat is still attached to the leaves. Why? This article will help.
Soaking seeds before planting is an a??old timea?? gardenera??s trick that many new gardeners are not aware of. Read the reasons for soaking seeds and how to soak seeds in this article.
Collecting and storing seed is economical and an excellent way to continue the propagation of a hard-to-find plant. Seed storage requires cool temperatures, low humidity, and dim to no light. Learn more here.
Much is written in today?s gardening community about the desirability of heirloom plant varieties over F1 plants. What are F1 hybrid seeds? This article will explain more about them, so click here to learn more.
Thinning plants is a necessary evil we must all face. Knowing when and how to thin plants is important for their overall health and success. This article will help that. Click here to learn how to thin plants.
We watch with excitement as our seedlings grow taller, only to realize that they have gotten floppy. If you are wondering what causes leggy seedlings and how to prevent them, read this article.
Inexperienced gardeners may think the steps for how to germinate seeds is the same for all seeds. This is not the case. The best way to germinate seeds depends on various factors, which can be found here.
Cross pollination can cause problems for gardeners who wish to save the seeds of their vegetables or flowers from year to year. Read this article to learn about controlling cross pollinating in plants.
The terms hybrid seeds and non-hybrid seeds are especially confusing due to a rather heated political debate that is occurring around these terms. Read here to learn more about their differences.
It happens to all gardeners. We plant a few seeds then throw the rest in a drawer, finding them later and wondering if they're still good. Is it a waste of time germinating old seeds? Read here to find out.
Many people enjoy starting their own seeds. Not only is it enjoyable, but it is economical as well. But many people can become frustrated if white, fluffy fungus kicks in. Learn more about it here.
Damping off is a common term for the sudden death of seedlings. It can be alarming, so knowing what to look for can help. Learn more here.
Once you learn how to germinate seeds, you will always be able to have cheap plants. It is easy to get started with cheap seed starting. Look at how to germinate seeds in this article.
For some gardeners, starting seeds out in the garden is impossible to consider. So what is a gardener to do when they cannot start indoors? One option is to use potting soil in the ground. Read here for more info.
These days many gardeners are growing plants from seeds. Growing plants from seeds is easy with a few precautions, like how to harden off your plants before setting them out. This article will help with that.
One common question from people growing plants from seeds is "how do I know when my seedlings are big enough to put out in my garden?" This is a good question to ask, and this article will help.