Planting Small Seeds

[OldGuy43]

Anyone have a hint on how to plant tiny seeds. I got them way to close last year. Warned you I was a complete newbie.

 

[Kassaundra]

I have not tried this, but I read where someone takes squares of toilet tissue and elmers glue and puts small dots at appropriate intervals and glues the seeds to the tissue over the winter then "plants" the squares of tissue in the spring

 

[digitS']

I've done that, Kassaundra, but with strips of paper other than toilet paper . I can see how the technique would be good for small gardens. I used 1 tablespoon cornstarch to 1 cup of water. That was brought to a boil then allowed to cool.

A comfortable position is important when sprinkling tiny seed in the garden - your comfortable position. Sitting on a stool is a good idea. Then, you need a steady hand.

Don't be hesitant to thin! You are doing your seedlings no favor by allowing them to crowd each other. They are then competing for the same space, same sunlight, same water, same nutrients. If you want plants that have to struggle thru life and, maybe even die, leave them in that difficult situation. If you want plants that can reach their potential, thin!

Transplanting your seedlings may be possible. Taking them in for salad fixin's may be possible also. But, plant material that goes into the compost is not wasted. I mean, gardeners plant cover crops and the important reason for doing so is simply, soil enrichment.

Steve

 

[dickiebird]

This is the small seed sower I use for tiny seeds, mine is a Ferry Morse product.
The top pulls off to load seeds, it can be turned to 5 or so different size openings.

THANX RICH

 

[lesa]

I agree with Steve- if you plant too close, just thin them out. You can go to all kinds of trouble, making seed tapes, etc. If you enjoy doing that, go ahead- but if you are not looking for another project, just thin!

 

[Carol Dee]

Instead of buying a seeder. (But then that gadget dickiebird has looks cool and usefull) You could try putting them in an envelope and cutting a small corner off.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Another trick is to mix the seeds with sand. But, yeah, I always get them too thick, then thin them.

 

[OldGuy43]

I couldn't find the one that Dickiebird has, but I did find this one:

http://www.ferry-morse.com/product_detail.aspx?id=991
Anyone have any experience with it? What do you think?

 

[momofdrew]

as a new gardener you probably are afraid to pull out all those seedlings...BUT you have to be brutal and THIN and THIN again...especially lettuces and carrots they need to be thinned...It is so hard to do you say to yourself but, but, but, they are growing how can I kill it... NOOOOO!!! JUST DO IT!!!! Your surviving plants will love you for it...

 

[catjac1975]

I have read that you can mix it with fine sand and then plant. I have not tried it though. I rely on thinning the seedlings.