seeds

How to thin seedlings

If you’ve ever purchased a packet of seedlings, then you know that there’s more in a package than could actually grow in a small backyard garden. And if you’re not using the square-foot gardening method where you only use several seeds at a time, then you could find yourself with an abundance of seedlings in a small space. (Not familiar with square-foot gardening? Check out all the reasons it’s fantastic!)

This is where knowing how to thin out seedlings is so important. Thinning out seedlings gives the growing plants the room they need to get plenty of sunshine, water, and nutrients from the soil without competing with other plants that are too close to them. Much like pruning, thinning out is great for plants (maybe not the one’s being thinned… but they’re not a total loss!) The process of how to thin seedlings is really quite simple.

How to thin seedlings

Step one: Go through the seedlings and find the smallest ones. They’re usually hiding underneath the larger seedlings. Pull them up by the roots and set them aside. Depending on the type of seedlings you’re thinning, you can leave 1 to 2 inches of space for smaller plants, or 4 to 5 inches of space for larger plants such as cabbage or kale. The seed package itself is a wealth of information for how far apart the plants should be spaced.

Step two: Once you finish the initial thinning out, go back after a few weeks and make sure everything has a good amount of space to grow. If the plants need more room, repeat the thinning process. Depending on the kind of crop being thinned out, the small seedlings can usually be used as micro greens in a recipe. Or if the roots are intact, try replanting them in a different place. See my video at the bottom of this post for a look at thinning out arugula. I thinned once, then came back a week later to pull a few more.

Video of how to thin seedlings

As you’ll see in my video below, I am thinning out my crop of arugula. I did not adhere to the square-foot method of only using a few seeds where I wanted the plants to grow. Instead, I used most of a package in a long line much like a row garden method. Since arugula can be eaten as a micro green, I’ll be able to use the thinned out seedlings on salads, a sandwich, or in a smoothie.

And as a general rule, you can always go back in to thin more. But if you thin too much the first time, you may be disappointed in the resulting crop. So thin lightly the first round, and let your plants grow a little bit more. Then come back in another week or so and assess whether you need to thin out any more plants.

I’d love to know what crops you are thinning out this garden season, and I hope you found this helpful. Have a great week and happy gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Easy Seed Storage Ideas

Seed storage. Every experienced gardener has a seed storage method that works for them, and I’ve used several over the years. Storing seeds for use the next year doesn’t have to be an expensive or complicated system. In fact, several that I’ll show you use what you already have laying around the house.

There are a few simple guidelines to keep in mind when you’re considering how to store your saved seeds for next season.

Keep them dry: Seeds should be kept dry so they don’t sprout. You certainly don’t want your seeds sprouting before you’re ready. Keeping them in a dry environment is essential.
Keep them separated: (Anyone know that song? I digress.) Keep seeds separated according to their type. You want to be able to know what you’re planting the next year, so store seeds according to specific type. For example, keeping all pepper seeds together might seem like a great idea, but if you grow different varieties of peppers, then you’ll definitely want to separate each type.
Keep Calm: Don’t stress about exact temperatures or containers. I’ve found that even when I’m less than diligent about seed storage, many are pretty resilient. So if you don’t follow exact storage instructions, don’t give yourself a hard time.
Test them Out: After storage (or forgetting about them in your garage for the winter), test a few of your seeds for viability. Here’s an easy paper towel test that I use. It will save you the disappointment of planting saved seeds only to have nothing come up. Save yourself the heartache. Test your seeds.

So, what are some easy methods of seed storage? From store bought containers to envelopes, there are many ways you can keep your seeds safe and dry until the next planting season.

Hardware/Tackle Container– These can be picked up at your local hardware store, sporting goods store, craft store, or Amazon. They’re used primarily for storing small hardware items, like nails, nuts, beads, etc. Or if you’re at a sporting goods store, then go where the tackle boxes are kept. You can find small storage containers that are used for weights and lures. These boxes are already divided up, and this makes it easy to have seeds separated by type. Adding small labels to the top of the container keeps you informed about what type of seeds are in each section. The bonus about these plastic containers is they are perfect if you’re planning to freeze or refrigerate your seeds for longer life. If you’re thinking about freezing or refrigerating your seeds, Garden Know How has a great article called Storing Seeds in the Freezer. Check it out!
Recipe/File Box– Growing up, these plastic boxes were perfect for the recipe cards my mom and grandmothers gathered over the years. They are easily available at most big box stores or Amazon, and I actually found this one at a yard sale for 10 cents. True story. Many of these file boxes have optional dividers, and I’ve found that having a few of them is helpful for dividing my seed packages by season. This helps my seeds stay quasi organized.
Paper Envelopes: This is my go-to for when I’m saving my own seeds. A simple paper envelope, if stored in a cool and dry place, is the perfect place for your seeds. And since most people have a box of envelopes laying around the house, they’re easy to access. I can then put the envelopes in my file box or keep them in a ziploc bag in the garage if needed. I usually write the type of seed I’m saving and the year. This way I can tell how old the seeds are. There’s also plenty of space to write any notes to yourself on the envelope about those particular seeds or how they grew for you. (Remember to avoid saving seeds from hybrid varieties, since they may not grow as successfully from saved seeds.)

If you’ve been struggling with how to store your seeds, I hope this was helpful for you! I’m sure there are other ways to store seeds, but these are easy and effective ideas that any one can implement. Remember the key is to keep your seeds in a dry and cool place.

I’d love to know if you have another method of storing your seeds and how it works for you! Have a great week and happy gardening!

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

The harvesting season is upon us, when the fruits of our labors are finally producing their last. At least for the summer season. Sunflower seeds remain one of the most fascinating harvests from the garden. While tomatoes can grow haphazard and beans the same, there is complete order in sunflower seeds. Their tightly packed jewels hold beauty for the eye and a treat for the tongue. There isn’t usually a lost millimeter of space between seeds that are ready to harvest, and this makes them lovely and fun to work with!

These leggy flowers also give gardens a vertical height that can provide a bit of shade for lettuces and other greens. So not only do they bring beauty but functionality as well. But once you’ve grown sunflowers, how do you know when to harvest sunflower seeds?

When do we harvest sunflower seeds?

When to harvest sunflowers? This was such a mystery to me our first year. In fact, the sunflowers we had growing in our garden had been started in my son’s preschool class, so I had no idea what variety we were working with or how getting seeds even worked. But patience is the name of the game when it comes to sunflowers. Though they may seem finished growing, stretching their long stalks up to 8 feet in the air, you want to wait until the flower itself seems to be dying.

Once the petals begin to wilt and fade, the seeds themselves will become more visible, as you can see here. Wait until they dry out just enough so you can see their color change to the tan seed color we all know (bag of roasted sunflower seeds, anyone?). Also be on the watch for birds and other garden intruders who may also want to harvest sunflower seeds too. They’re tasty to more than just people!

When you’re ready to harvest the seeds, cut the head from the stalk, and prepare to remove the seeds. This can be done indoors or out, but if you choose indoors, line your table with newspaper for easy clean up. This is also a great job for little gardeners and helpers. Girly Gardener loved helping with this task. Bend the head back slightly (think ice cube tray flexing) and then begin pressing the rows of seeds to pop them out. Once you get started, you’ll quickly find your rhythm. (See my video at the bottom of the post for how to do this.)

Once the flower head is empty, gather up the seeds and set them aside for roasting or storing. That’s it! Pretty simple if I do say so myself. The larger the sunflower, the easier the seed is to harvest, so keep this in mind if you’re just now thinking about what type of sunflowers to grow come the spring.

Eating your Sunflower Seeds

The sunflower seeds you harvest can certainly be shelled and eaten raw. Raw sunflower seeds are widely available on the market these days. You can also choose to roast your sunflower seeds for a longer shelf life, and I’ll be sharing how to do this later in the week. I’ll even throw in some fun, tasty variations for the sunflower seed rebels out there.

Also feel free to use your seeds in a creative recipe, like this Sunflower Seed Brittle from The Yummy Life. The possibilities are endless!

Storing Sunflower Seeds

For raw sunflower seeds, seal them in an airtight container in a dark, cool pantry or cabinet. For longer shelf life, place the seeds in a glass jar and refrigerate. If you know you won’t eat the seeds very quickly, you can also freeze them for long-term storage. Sunflower seeds, like other nuts and seeds, will certainly let you know when they are no longer good. The seeds will have a rancid smell and “off” taste if they have spoiled. So take care to eat them up! They are a wonderful source of vitamin E and are simply fabulous in so many dishes!

Sunflowers bring beauty to the garden with their majestic flowers and their height is a wonderful vertical touch to any garden or flower bed. I’d love to know if you have grown or harvested sunflowers! Do you have a favorite variety? Enjoy this harvest season and happy gardening!

by Courtney 2 Comments

Printable Seed Starting Schedule

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Seed planting time is officially here. And if you live in the deep south, then you’ve probably already started. I absolutely love getting my seed packets in the mail and thinking about how these tiny seeds will soon sprout into thriving plants. Buying seeds, instead of plants, is one great way to save money, big time! On average, a package of seeds will cost $2 or $3 dollars, and that’s usually a good non-gmo, heirloom, or organic brand. Those packages hold enough seeds for a whole flat of plants, at least!

While I have quite a few seeds that I will sow directly into the garden in a few weeks, some of my seeds need to start indoors. A good seed starting mix and a tray (or egg carton, newspaper, etc.) and you’ll be on your way to having a successful spring garden. To help me remember what I’ve planted and when, i created a super simple seed starting schedule (can you say that ten times fast?). This can easily be added onto your Kitchen Garden Planner, and it’s a wonderful way to keep track of what was planted, when they should germinate, transplant, etc. In the past, I’ve kept my seed packages in a brown paper envelope, and I’d have to go back and look at the package to remember how many days until I see seedlings? How many days until maturity? It was not a great system.

My seed starting schedule keeps all of your planting info in one simple place. When you begin your seed, simply record what you planted and when. Then use the other boxes to record that important info directly off of the seed package. There is also a place to record when you transplanted. For the gardener who likes to keep things simple, this free printable schedule will be perfect for you.

This year I have started more seeds than in previous years, and I’m hoping for great results. I also began saving more seed last season, so I’m interested to see how they fare this spring. Gardening can be such a fun and challenging activity, and there is certainly something new to learn each year. This schedule will help any gardener keep track of useful data that can be used in planning out next year’s garden. Learning from experiences is always a win!

Here’s what seed we started this year:

Hale’s musk melon (cantaloupe)

Parsley

Zucchini

Squash (I’ll direct sow squash and zucchini if needed)

Kale

Jalapeno

Bell Pepper

Jellybean tomatoes (Seed saved from last year)

Better Boy Tomatoes

Marigolds

Zinnias

I’ll be posting our full spring garden plans later in the week. I’m very excited to show you what we’ll be adding to the garden this year. My hubs has graciously added two more raised beds to our kitchen garden, and I’ll be using more of our yard as edible landscape. Planting time is one of my favorite times of the year!

So grab your free printable Seed Starting Schedule and add it to your Kitchen Garden Planner. I’d love to know what you’ll be starting from seed this year, and what your favorite seed companies are! I’m always looking for great products.I know I’ve mentioned before that Southern Exposure Seed Exchange is my go-to seed company; they’re fabulous! Have a great week and Happy Gardening! SeedSchedule

by Courtney 1 Comment

How to Save Tomato Seeds

If your gardening area at home is like mine, then you probably have a small stockade of seeds. And some of them are probably past their prime (here’s a test to see if your seeds are still fresh). I usually have wonderful intentions when I buy those seed packets (like fields of butternut squash!), but great ideas fall to the wayside when life gets busy. As I’ve tried to be more mindful of what I truly need, this has translated into using what I already have. And seeds from my very own garden is a great start to being less wasteful and more self-sufficient. Saving tomato seeds is super quick and easy and a great way to get started with seed saving.

Why save garden seeds?

One of the more expensive parts of planting a garden each year can be buying seeds and plants. This can be especially true if you prefer heirloom varieties or organic seeds. But if you have a little patience and a spare jar, you can easily save your own seeds from a variety of plants.

This year, I purchased two Jellybean tomato varieties from our local cooperative extension plant sale. They grew so well (are still growing in fact!) that I knew I wanted to save some seeds for replanting next year. It’s a win for saving money and using what I have! The process is simple.

Here’s what you’ll need

Ripe tomato (I used 2 since jellybean tomatoes are small)

Clear jar

Water

Paper Towel

Envelope (or a cool, dry place to store your seeds)

Seed saving step-by-step

Cut open the ripe tomato, and gently squeeze or scoop out the seeds and pulp into a clear jar.
Add an inch of water above the seeds and pulp and place a lid on the jar.
Over the course of two or three days, gently swirl the water in the jar several times a day. You will notice that the pulp releases from the seeds, and they settle to the bottom of the jar.
Drain water out of jar, and spread seeds onto paper towel. Allow to dry completely.
Store in an envelope or baggie. (I use simple mail envelopes.) Don’t forget to label the envelope, so you know what’s inside. Keep seeds in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant your seeds in the spring!

And that’s all there is to it. Saving seeds was not a new concept to our grand parents and great grandparents, but it seems to be less common these days. Save those dollars you’d be spending on a new package of seeds and instead use what’s growing in your very own garden.

by Courtney Leave a Comment

Seed Activities for Kids

It’s officially summer time! The temperatures are rising (wowza!), and the seeds are hopefully in the garden and growing up a storm. Kids can be such natural gardeners; I don’t know many kids who don’t love to play in the dirt (except those few who don’t like dirt on their hands). In fact, if I’m not careful, our littlest gardener will dig up whatever I’ve planted as soon as it shows a bit of green (a poor geranium bulb was his most recent victim). So why not get those eager hands to work planting seeds?

Planting seeds and watching them grow is an excellent way to show children the miracle that occurs in nature every day. Even if you’re not planting a garden, there are plenty of activities you can use to show your kids how plants grow. And these activities aren’t just for preschoolers and younger elementary kids; older kids who are interested in gardening can plan and grow their own garden, either in pots or in a small spot in the yard. We even know a local boy scout who grows a large patch of okra and sells it to a local grocery store… talk about an entrepreneur! Encourage the curiosity of your children when it comes to growing and tending plants; even if the plants don’t make it, there will be a lesson even in that!

So what are some ways you can encourage growing at your own house? Check out these fun activities for working with seeds. You can make them as simple or in-depth as you like!

Water Bottle Planter

Now this activity teaches both recycling and how seeds grow! Win-win. Relaying the importance of reusing items, which is better than recycling even, is a great lesson for kids to learn. Find the instructions at Giggles Galore for how to create this planter, and the bonus is that you can make it as fancy as you like!

2. Grass Sponge House

Have a kid who doesn’t like to get dirty? This is the seed activity for them; no dirt needed! That may sound confusing, but fast growing grass seed can actually grow without dirt. This activity from Fab Art DIY uses kitchen sponges cut to form a house. The seed is sprinkled on the wet sponges once they’re assembled. Keep it moist and voila! A grass house… this could also be a great history lesson starting point to talk about sod houses. Just a thought!

3. Garden in a Glove

What’s better than watching seeds grow? Watching DIFFERENT types of seeds grow! You can compare how long it takes the different types of seeds to sprout and how differently they look when sprouting. There’s a big difference between a bean seed sprouting and a carrot seed; your kids will love comparing them! Check out the directions at Full Circle Gardener.

4. DIY Chia Pets

Doodle Craft has a great project that’s as simple as filling some panty hose or tights with dirt and grass seed and watching it grow! We actually tried this craft this week at Vacation Bible School, and it was such a hit with the kids. The bonus of adding googly eyes, feathers, and any other fun items you have on hand will give fun personality to your kids creations. This activity is a winner-winner… you know the rest.

Here’s a great activity for your older kids who are interested in not only seeing seeds sprout but also getting a bit of fruit from their labors. Bonzai Aphrodite has a great tutorial on creating these hanging water jug planters and again these involve both growing seeds and reusing household items. This could even turn into a tomato growing empire on your porch…or not.

Encourage your kids to get up and get growing. Life grows from seeds and what better way to show that miracle to your children than with any of these simple activities? I’d love to know if you have ever tried any of these! Keep on Growing and Happy Gardening!

by Courtney 3 Comments

How to Test Old Seeds

So you’ve got that old seed pack from last year (partially used or maybe even unopened)… but you’re a little nervous about planting them. The package does say it was for the 2018 growing year, and you’re a rule follower. (Because if you were rebellious, you’d already have those seeds planted and wouldn’t need to read this.) And if stored properly, many seeds can last for years. Properly means they’ve been in a cool and dry environment. I know many people who store their extra seeds in the freezer, and it works quite well. But if you’re not sure about how well you kept your seeds stored, you may be hesitant to use them. Well, before you toss out that “old” package of seeds, here’s a simple way to test them to see if they’re still good!

Testing your seeds is a great way to make the best use of what you have. If you use a raised bed garden for your growing area, then chances are you won’t use an entire package of seeds in one growing season. So, performing this simple test will help you know how to plan for your upcoming spring garden! (Interested in raised bed gardening? Check out my full post on How to Start a Raised Bed Garden.)

How to Test Old Seeds

This quick test takes just a few minutes to set up and then a few days of wait time. It’s definitely worth the wait if you can use what you have instead of going out to the store to buy another package of seeds that you may not really need. And if you have kids, they’ll love checking on the seeds each day to see if they’ve sprouted! Here’s what you’ll need to test your seeds:

Paper towels

Sharpie

Seeds

Water

Chances are, you have all of this stuff laying around your house, so let’s get started!

Step 1: Take one sheet of paper towel and dampen with water. Lay damp paper towel on table or counter and place 2 or 3 seeds on the towel. I would use one type of seed per paper towel, so you can remember what seed type you’re testing. Here are some of last year’s beet seeds:

Step 2: Roll seeds up in the damp paper towel. It will look like a paper towel cigar, but just don’t go lighting it up. Use your sharpie to write on the outside of the towel what type of seeds are in there. The writing will get a little “loose” as you keep the towel wet over the next few days, but you should still be able to tell what you’ve written.

Step 3: Place the rolled paper towels on a plate or low-sided dish and let marinate for a few days, keeping the towel damp. I do this by putting a little water in the bottom of the plate and letting the towel soak it up; you could also spray it with a water bottle.

Step 4: Open up the paper towels and see if the seeds have sprouted! If your seeds are still good, you will see shoots popping out of the seeds. Yay! If you’re not seeing sprouts, you could wait another day or so (this may be necessary for seeds with a longer germination period, and you can find this info on the seed pack itself). You can see most of our beet seeds sprouted, as well as the garden peas I tested. And that poor pack of garden peas was in rough shape from being left out in the rain (oops!), so if they sprouted, you can feel good about testing whatever old seeds you have laying around.

And that’s all there is to it! Simply taking a few seeds and testing them can save you having to buy all new seeds this year, especially if you square-foot garden. Since you only use a certain number of seeds with SFG, I find that I’m able to use one package of seeds for two years. But even if you don’t use the square-foot gardening method, chances are you didn’t use that entire package of 25 tomato seeds, so testing what you had left over is a great way to save money. And when it comes time to get those seeds growing, try using Egg Carton Seed Starters instead of a kit from your hardware store.

This is also an excellent activity to do with kids to show them how plants grow, even if you have absolutely no intention of growing a garden.

Do you want to start a garden, but aren’t sure where to begin? I’ve got you covered! From planning out your space, to choosing the best spot in your yard, to getting a list of all the supplies you need before you go to the store (so you don’t waste money), my Complete Garden Planner helps you figure it all out. Even if you’re a seasoned gardener, the planner allows you get thoughts down on paper and plan succession planting, companion plants, and more! Save yourself time and frustration this year and plan your best garden yet!

by Courtney 3 Comments

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Tiny hands grabbing fistfuls of dirt, chubby fingers trying so hard to pick up itty bitty seeds, and laughter bubbling up as joy is found in getting dirty. Children, for the most part, seem to be fascinated with dirt and pudding, sometime at the same time, am I right? And while I’m usually a big fan of keeping things clean (relatively), I can make exceptions for planting seeds in these easy egg carton seed starters.

My own inner-two-year-old loves to get knee deep in dirt and watch things grow, so why not encourage my kids to do it too?

DIY Seed Starters

This is a super fun and quick DIY seed starter project you can do with your kiddos (or grandkiddos), and if you have one who doesn’t like to get dirty, it can be easily done at the kitchen table with a spoon and hardly any dirt contact at all. (Anyone have a dirt-phobe? We’ve got one!) Another great thing about this activity, is you can use an egg carton instead of throwing it in the trash can. Reuse, reuse! Those egg cartons are also compostable, so find out How to Compost, too! Here’s what you’ll need to make this activity happen:

Egg Carton Seed Cup Supplies

1 paper/cardboard egg carton

potting soil (we used seed starting soil)

flower/plant seeds (zinnias and marigolds are great for this!)

low container or dish (I used a pyrex dish)

water bottle (optional)

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Step One– Cut the top off of the egg carton and discard (compost!). Cut down the center, creating two pieces with six cups each. You can choose to leave the “cups” together at this point, or you can cut each cup so they’re separate. That’s the option we chose. You’ll then want to use a sharpie to write on the outside of each cup what will be growing inside. Better yet, let your child who is learning writing skills do this. It’s super easy to copy the flower name from the seed packet right onto the cup, and it’s great writing practice!

Step Two: Let your little helpers begin to fill each egg carton seed cup with soil. They can do this by scooping with the cup itself (dirtier) or with a spoon (cleaner). Putting newspaper down makes clean up a cinch, so I highly recommend this!

Step Three– Have your little helpers place two or three seeds in each cup and lightly cover with soil. This is a great time to talk to your kids about how beautiful and wonderful things can start with just a tiny seed! It’s also a great time to read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, even if your kids are a bit older, they’ll still love it, and they can try to mimic Carle’s artwork.

Step Four- Place cups in a low container and water those babies! I did this at first with a water bottle, so I didn’t wash the seeds away. I also placed some water in the bottom of the dish itself, so the egg cartons would soak it up. This helps to “water” the seeds from the ground up. Be sure to put your seed cartons in a sunny spot in the house, and keep them moist, but not soaking wet.

Covering Seed Cups

For more of a greenhouse environment, you can cover your tray with the egg carton seed cups inside with saran wrap, or an equivalent wrap. This will help trap in moisture, and create a small greenhouse environment. I find this cuts down on how often I need to water. Keeping the container near a warm spot (vent) or in a sunny place will also allow your seeds to germinate more quickly.

How long until seeds germinate?

Depending on what type of seeds you’re growing, you should see little plants popping through in a week or so. We grew marigolds, zinnias, and petunias, all things I love to have in the garden or in our window boxes. The zinnias and marigolds came up pretty quickly, but we have to wait two weeks for the petunias… talk about an exercise in patience! I almost threw them out thinking they were duds. Don’t be like me; have patience… I hear it’s a virtue.

Remember, as your plants grow and you consider taking them outside to plant. You want to harden them off first (get them accustomed to the outside temperature). You’ll do this by letting them sit outside during the day for a few days, and bringing them in at night. Then you should be able to safely plant them in your garden or container, like this DIY Self-Watering Planter!

What kind of seeds will you plant in your egg carton seed cups? I’d love to know what your kids think of this activity! Happy Gardening!

Yield: 12 seed cups

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Don't let those cardboard egg cartons go to waste. Use them for DIY Seed Starter Cups!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 10 minutes

Total Time 20 minutes

Estimated Cost $5

Materials

1 egg carton
Seed Starter Mix
Seeds
Low Dish (think Pyrex)
Spray Bottle (optional)

Tools

Spoon

Instructions

Cut the top off of the egg carton and discard (compost!). Then cut down the center, creating two pieces with six cups each. You can choose to leave the “cups” together at this point, or you can cut each cup so they’re separate. That’s the option we chose. You’ll then want to use a sharpie to write on the outside of each cup what will be growing inside. Better yet, let your child who is learning writing skills do this. It’s super easy to copy the flower name from the seed packet right onto the cup, and it’s great writing practice!
Let your little helpers begin to fill each cup with dirt. They can do this by scooping with the cup itself (dirtier) or with a spoon (cleaner). Putting newspaper down makes clean up a cinch, so I highly recommend this!
Have your little helpers place two or three seeds in each cup and lightly cover with dirt. This is a great time to talk to your kids about how beautiful and wonderful things can start with just a tiny seed! It’s also a great time to read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, even if your kids are a bit older, they’ll still love it, and they can try to mimic Carle’s artwork.
Place cups in a low container and water those babies! I did this at first with a water bottle, so I didn’t wash the seeds away. I also placed some water in the bottom of the dish itself, so the egg cartons would soak it up. This helps to “water” the seeds from the ground up. Be sure to put your seed cartons in a sunny spot in the house, and keep them moist, but not soaking wet.
Depending on what type of seeds you’re growing, you should see little plants popping through in a week or so. We grew marigolds, zinnias, and petunias, all things I love to have in the garden or in our window boxes. The zinnias and marigolds came up pretty quickly, but we have to wait two weeks for the petunias… talk about an exercise in patience! I almost threw them out thinking they were duds. Don’t be like me; have patience… I hear it’s a virtue.

How to thin seedlings

How to thin seedlings

Video of how to thin seedlings

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Easy Seed Storage Ideas

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Harvesting Sunflower Seeds

When do we harvest sunflower seeds?

Eating your Sunflower Seeds

Storing Sunflower Seeds

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Printable Seed Starting Schedule

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How to Save Tomato Seeds

Why save garden seeds?

Here’s what you’ll need

Seed saving step-by-step

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Seed Activities for Kids

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How to Test Old Seeds

How to Test Old Seeds

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Egg Carton Seed Starters

DIY Seed Starters

Egg Carton Seed Cup Supplies

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Covering Seed Cups

How long until seeds germinate?

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Materials

Tools

Instructions

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seeds

How to thin seedlings

Video of how to thin seedlings

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When do we harvest sunflower seeds?

Eating your Sunflower Seeds

Storing Sunflower Seeds

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Why save garden seeds?

Here’s what you’ll need

Seed saving step-by-step

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How to Test Old Seeds

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Egg Carton Seed Cup Supplies

Egg Carton Seed Starters

Covering Seed Cups

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Instructions

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