Homegrown: Seedlings and little sprouts

Insert photo caption or credit here

In this article, we will concentrate on seedlings and little sprouts. You will better understand how to care for tiny plant seedlings if you think of them as having the same basic needs that children have the need for sunshine, air, water, and food. Figuratively speaking, children have something in common with plants in that children also need “good roots.” Both children and seedlings can get sick if they’re neglected, in a bad environment, don’t have enough light, or get too much or too little food.

 

The key to growing seedlings successfully is to give them a good start. All seedlings need a good foundation in order to grow, thrive, and eventually bloom.  Planting them in the right conditions is as important to a plant as a good home is to a child. It’s best to use a potting mix without soil.

 

You can start seedlings in egg cartons. Seedlings should be planted in cleaned and disinfected containers. Once the seedling is a few inches tall and develops several sets of leaves, you can transplant it into a larger container; this is called “potting up.” Transplanting the seedlings into a larger container will give it plenty of room for the roots to continue to spread and grow. Transplanting is done by carefully removing the little sprout entirely out of the carton and replanting.  Although it is not difficult, transplanting requires a certain amount of skill because it requires lifting a plant from the ground (which can sever the roots if not done carefully) and moving it to another site. Manytimes, seedlings can go into shock after they are transplanted. It helps to keep them out of the heat and to supply them with enough water and nourishment while giving them time to recover. Once they have recovered, they begin to adapt to their new environment, to grow and bloom. Just as seedlings must be moved; many times in our lives, children have to deal with being uprooted and transplanted. Nurture them and give them some time, and they will adjust.

Finally, once you’ve planted your seedlings in the garden, keep your little sprouts healthy and pest free by keeping a close watch for problems. Gardeners work hard to grow seedlings, but we don't need to do anything to have weeds. If left unattended, weeds intrude and then fight with our little sprouts for space, water, sunlight, and nutrients. In order to keep and protect them, we must remove or kill weeds.  Once planted in the garden, you should identify your little sprouts, and then watch for the identifying green foliage. Be highly suspicious of any plant that begins to grow much faster than the rest; observe your plant's growth and tend to its needs.

 

Just like children, a well-nurtured little sprout will grow, thrive, and eventually reward us with beautiful blooms; and blooms produce fruit; and fruit produces more seed. A handful of seeds has the potential to feed an entire generation. Take care of your little sprouts.