Seed Raising 101

For those of you who are keen to grow some of your own food, GO FOR IT! Whether it's a balcony garden, a few pots, some raised garden beds or your entire backyard, nothing beats the joy of seed raising, germination and growing food. Here are some handy tips:

• If you are new to gardening and growing food, I encourage you to read some books on Permaculture or to join your local permaculture group which is not only wonderful for networking but your knowledge will increase at a very fast rate. 

• There is a great book called the Seed Savers Handbook - this will teach you how to collect your seeds once your plants surpass their food supply and 'go to seed';  you can save money from purchasing future seeds by collecting your own (or better still swap seeds or supply organic seed suppliers).  

• Seeds come in ALL SORTS OF SIZES. For large seeds for example, peas, beans or sunflowers, it's very easy to plant them directly into healthy compost soil and add a little mulch. You can certainly grow smaller seeds this way but some people prefer to 'raise' them firstly in small containers with finely sifted soil and nurture them for a few weeks until they grow into small tube stock plant. These are then transplanted into your garden. It's best to use a fine spray nozzle setting on your hose (or a water bottle with a spray mist) to water your seedlings so as not to drown them. Protect them from harsh drying sun and wind. Sometimes indoors near a window with good natural light is ideal. Or a shade house on your balcony with some indirect sun. 

• Seed raising containers - make your own from recycled cans, plastic yoghurt jars etc - be innovative!!!! Of all the tools and supplies you can purchase (from cocopeat pots etc), one of the best tools I have experienced is the NewsPaper Pot Maker - available from suppliers such as Green Harvest . If you have access to newspapers from recycle bins this is a great project for kids to make up some biodegradable pots that you can plant directly in the soil with your seedling. 

Alternatively, you can make your own Origami Seed pots via quick tutorials like this one:

PLEASE NOTE: Not to use Cardboard which has Boron in it which is not a good chemical to ingest.

SOURCING SEEDS:

• Today there are many wonderful organic seed suppliers. Some of my usual suspects are Eden Seeds and Green Harvest. On the Eden Seed website they offer handy seed varieties 'By Season' so that you select seeds for the right time of year. Even in Winter, we can grow some excellent staples for delicious soups etc.