Growing plants from seeds is truly an art. It brings deep joy and satisfaction because you are nurturing a plant right from its very beginning. Seed-grown plants are often stronger and one single packet of seeds gives you many plants.
Although the process of growing plants from seeds is not very difficult but many people make some common mistakes that hinder successful germination. So, let’s discuss these common mistakes and I will share the correct techniques to follow when sowing seeds, so you can grow healthy plants with confidence.
7 Easy Tips to Germinate Seeds at Home
1. Growing Medium
The biggest mistake is choosing the wrong growing medium.
- Seedlings are very delicate, with soft roots and small leaves.
- Use soft soil – If the soil is too dense or hard, the seeds will not germinate and grow.
- Balance nutrient – Maintain a nutrient balance in the soil. If the soil is too low or too high in nutrients, the seedlings may rot and fail to grow.
To avoid these issues, let’s prepare a proper soil mix ideal for seed germination:
- Take 3 parts of soil,
- Add 1 part compost (light nutrients),
- Place a layer of this soil in your seedling tray,
- Add a layer of cocopeat on top,
- Add sand in half the quantity of the cocopeat to improve drainage,
- Add a small amount of fungicide (Trichoderma)—for example, if using 1 kg of soil mix, about 10 grams of fungicide is sufficient.
- Mix everything thoroughly. This mixture provides the right balance of air, nutrients, and moisture, making it an excellent medium for growing seeds.
2. Perfect Trays and Pots for Seeds Germination
People often complain that their seeds get damaged by rain, develop fungus, or are eaten by squirrels. Sometimes, too many seedlings sprout in the same spot, making it difficult for them to grow properly. To avoid all these problems, it is best to start seeds in seedling trays or small individual pots.
- Seedling trays offer great convenience because they are lightweight and easy to move. If it suddenly rains or the sun becomes too harsh, you can quickly shift the trays to a safe place. In comparison, large pots filled with soil are much heavier and difficult to move.
- Another advantage of seedling trays is that each seed grows in its own space, making it easier to transplant healthy seedlings into bigger pots later. This also helps protect the young plants from squirrels and other small animals since you can keep the trays in a protected area.
- However, for some vegetables like potatoes, capsicum, brinjal (eggplant), etc., which require a larger space from the beginning, you should sow seeds directly in big pots. When doing so, fill the pot with the prepared soil mixture and sow 2–3 seeds with proper spacing. Once they sprout, observe their growth and keep only the healthiest seedling, gently removing the weaker ones.
3. Quality of Seeds
The quality of the seeds plays the most important role in successful germination. Even if the soil, sunlight and care are perfect, poor-quality or expired seeds may simply fail to grow.
- Many people unknowingly use old seeds stored at home, not realizing they have lost viability. As a result, they get confused when no seedlings appear despite their best efforts.
- These days, seeds are also gifted in the form of cards, pens, or decorative kits. However, their quality may not always be reliable. Therefore, it is essential to check the seed quality and expiry date before sowing. Growing seeds requires time, care and resources—so choosing the right seeds is crucial.
- It is recommended to buy seeds from Beej Bhandar, a trusted and well-known source for high-quality seeds. Even farmers prefer seeds from Beej Bhandar because their germination rate is high. These seeds are also treated to prevent rotting and fungal infections, which helps in healthy sprouting.
- If Beej Bhandar seeds are not available, you can also choose seeds from Ugaoo or Biocarve, as they are known for good quality as well.
- Try to purchase once the growing season starts .
- Once a seed packet is opened, the seeds can generally be used for 1 to 1.5 years. Store them in an airtight container with proper labeling to maintain their quality.
4. Process of Sowing Seeds
Proper placement of seeds in pots or seedling trays is very important. The spacing between seeds should be correct so that each seedling gets enough room to grow.
- If using a seedling tray:
1.First, place a small piece of paper at the bottom of each cell to cover the drainage hole.
2.Fill each section with enough soil so the young plants have enough nutrients and support.
3.Gently press the soil with your hand to remove air gaps.
- Water the soil thoroughly until water starts draining from the bottom.
5. Add a thin layer of cocopeat on top. Cocopeat helps retain moisture and prevents the top layer from drying quickly.
Now, place the seeds:
- If the seeds are tiny (like mustard-sized or smaller), place up to 4 seeds per section.
- If the seeds are medium-sized (like pulses), place 2–3 seeds per section.
- For very tiny seeds like petunia (smaller than mustard), sprinkle them gently instead of placing them individually.
- After placing the seeds, cover them lightly with cocopeat and spray water.
- If sowing directly into large pots or grow bags:
1.This method is suitable for larger vegetables like carrot, brinjal, beetroot, potato, etc.
- Fill the pot with soil and water it well until excess water drains out.
3.Based on the vegetable, place seeds with enough gap so each plant gets space to grow properly.
- Maintain at least a one-finger gap between seeds to prevent overcrowding and misshapen vegetables.
- Add cocopeat only at the spots where seeds will be placed (no need to spread it over the whole pot).
- Place the seeds on the cocopeat, cover again with the cocopeat, and spray water gently.
For leafy vegetables (like coriander and mint):
Use long, boat-shaped planters.
Create shallow lines in the soil.
Fill these lines with cocopeat.
Place the seeds close to each other (leafy vegetable seeds can be sown more densely).
Cover with a light layer of cocopeat and spray water.
This method ensures the right moisture, spacing and environment for healthy seed germination and growth.
5. Placement of Seedling Tray
Once the seeds are sown, it is very important to place the seedling trays or pots in the right location so they receive proper light and suitable weather conditions.
- For Seedling Trays
- In the early stage of germination, the soil must remain moist, but the trays should not be kept in direct sunlight. However, they should not be placed in a dark corner either. Keep the trays in an area with bright indirect light.
- As soon as the seedlings begin to grow and you notice them leaning or bending in one direction, it is a sign that they now need sunlight. At this stage, move the trays to receive soft morning sunlight for 1–2 hours. Avoid exposing them to harsh afternoon sun, as it can stress or burn the tender seedlings.
- For Big Pots and Grow Bags
- Large pots and grow bags are not easy to move frequently, so care has to be taken from the beginning. After sowing seeds, cover the pot or grow bag with a cloth to help retain moisture in the soil.
- If the seeds sprout with just the first watering, that is ideal. Avoid frequent watering in the initial days, as too much water can disturb the seed placement or cause rotting. Keeping the pot covered helps maintain moisture naturally.
Once the seedlings start growing and become visible, remove the covering and gradually expose them to gentle morning sunlight.
6. Season and Temperature
There is always a right time to sow seeds, and having prior knowledge about the correct season and weather conditions for each plant is very important. Just like rice and wheat—both require different climates, temperatures, and seasons to germinate, grow, and be harvested. So, understanding the appropriate season and temperature for each seed is essential. Otherwise, the seeds may not sprout at all.
Generally, most seeds germinate well in temperatures around 20–25°C. If the temperature is too low or too high, the seeds may remain dormant and fail to grow.
- We can also observe the seasonal patterns:
- Before summer, we have the spring season. During spring, the weather is moderate, making it a suitable time to sow summer plant seeds.
- Similarly, before winter, we experience autumn. Since the weather is pleasant and balanced at that time, it is the ideal period to sow winter plant seeds.
By understanding and following these natural seasonal cycles, we can achieve successful germination and healthier plant growth.
7. Seedling Care
- Although growing saplings is simple, they require very careful and calculated care, especially in the early stages. In the beginning, water should be given in very small amounts, preferably by spraying, just enough to keep the soil moist.
- As the saplings grow, you will notice that while they gain height above the soil, their roots also expand downward. At this stage, they need slightly more water, but still handle them gently because they remain soft and delicate. Avoid pouring water with force, as it may disturb or damage their tender roots.
- During this early growth phase, fertilizer is generally not required. The compost already mixed into the soil, along with the natural nutrients present in the soil and water, is usually sufficient. If you still feel the sapling needs extra nourishment, you may use a mild onion peel liquid fertilizer:
1.Soak onion peels in water overnight
- Strain the liquid the next day
- Dilute it further with clean water
- Give this to the soil only after the sapling is at least 10 days old
Feeding fertilizer too early can stress the young plant due to strong nutrient concentration.
If you notice white patches or fungal infection on the saplings, spray a well-diluted fungicide. For example, dissolve around 5 grams of fungicide in 1 liter of water. You may use any fungicide, whether organic or inorganic, as long as it is diluted properly.
With this, we have covered the complete process—from sowing seeds to nurturing healthy saplings.
Happy Gardening !!