Totally Excellent Seed Germination
Growing plants from seed can be a lot of fun. With a little knowledge, you can improve the germination rate of vegetable seed you purchase. Excellent seed germination depends on a few factors: oxygen, water and temperature. In general, seed germination is closely linked to the ecological conditions of a plant’s natural habitat. All seeds need oxygen in order to germinate. Oxygen is needed for respiration. Respiration allows the seed to convert starch or oil into energy so the seed can open up and grow. Do not bury your seed too deep because you may reduce the amount of oxygen that is able to reach the seed. Good soil structure - plenty of pore spaces between soil aggregates - aids in the transfer of oxygen to germinating seeds. Adding compost increases soil organic matter. More organic matter improves soil structure and increases pore spaces. A basic rule of thumb is: Small seeds are planted shallow and bigger seeds are planted deeper (about 1.5-2.5 times as deep as