Vegetable SeedlingsPlanting vegetable seedlings rather than seeds, is usually easier and more successful in the organised chaos of a no dig garden. When you also grow your own seedlings, it is far more economical than purchasing them, as well as being quite gratifying.
Check out the Sowing guides, for information on growing vegetable seedlings based on your climate and hemisphere. Backtime the date you think you'll be frost free and start your vegetable seedlings about 6 weeks earlier. Of course, you will have to start them off under cover or indoor, so this will guide you, Starting seedlings indoors.
How to germinate vegetable seedsVegetable seeds need a light, friable soil that will hold moisture to grow. Seeds must absorb 40-60% of their weight in water to trigger germination. They also need air. When they sprout, they take up moisture from the film of water around the soil particles and they take up air from the space between those particles. So soil quality is important. A good seed raising mixture could be the answer if you are unsure of the quality of your soil. Individual peat or plant fiber pots are a great invention because the whole thing goes into the ground without disturbing the roots of your baby plants. Warmth is most important for germinating seeds. Most garden seeds will germinate if soil temperature is around 20C (68F). For colder climates seed beds must be kept warm either by having them in a sunny protected spot in or near the house (like a porch or garage, out of the elements) or in a glass or plastic covered cold frame. Some seeds germinate faster than others. You should have some idea when to expect your seeds to sprout to gauge your success. For planning purposes, Here's a germination guide for popular vegetables. For most vegetable seeds you can expect a germination time of 6-20 days. In another 4-5 weeks, those seedlings should be transplanted into your no dig garden bed. Good vegetable gardeners learn from trial and error; better gardeners write it down; the best gardeners buy a ruled notebook and fill up the columns with a sow-by-sow account. As one of the best gardeners, you'll pat yourself on the back each season as you ferret though your previous plant propagation records to see—clear as mud—exactly the dates seeds were sown; when they germinated; the success rate; time when ready for transplanting, and finally when you sat down to eat your carrot and swede mash. The quality of the seeds you use will also have an impact on your success. For more information see seed products. In a nutshell, you should be purchasing the best quality seeds you can afford. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time.
Care of your vegetable seedlingsSeeds must be kept moist but not wet until the seedlings emerge. This may take between 1-3 weeks, depending on the plant type. As they grow stonger, thorough but less frequent watering is required to encourage root growth. They will need shade when young but should be increasingly exposed to the sun so they become used to conditions in the garden. Water in the morning rather than at night. Aim to build your no dig garden about one week before you are ready to transplant. That will give it time to settle.
Transplanting vegetable seedlingsMark where you plan to put each of your plants. Use a trowel to make a hole large enough to take the root system. Gently prise out the vegetable seedling from their container taking as much of the soil as you can with it into the garden bed. Firm the soil around the plant in its new position, cover the area with mulch and water in gently. It is best to transplant seedlings in the late afternoon or evening to give the plants time to settle before being subjected to midday sun.
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