Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to fill trays with compost How to fill trays with compost In order for seeds to germinate it is important to fill trays properly. You can customize these instructions by using pots or other containers instead of trays. Resources Trays, pots or containers Seed compost Leveling board Gloves Trowels Horticultural sand (optional) Activity Choose the tools and equipment you need for this activity. 1. Choose the correct compost to use Seed Compost (you may want to mix in some horticultural sand for smaller seeds). 2. Overfill a suitable tray with seed compost, break down with your hand any lumps in the compost. 3. Level the compost with a leveling board using a sawing action. 4. Press down the compost lightly and evenly with a leveling board. Further Activities Discuss why we choose Seed Compost and not Multipurpose Compost. Discuss what sterilized means? Discuss what nutrient means? Practice filling other types of trays such as modular trays (various sizes), root runner trays. If you are sowing small seeds you may want to practice mixing a little horticultural sand into your seed compost to improve drainage and even distribution when sowing. Help Yourself Grow (Fair Deal & The Hidden Gardens) Facts Seed compost is sterilized and is free from pests, diseases and weeds this increases the chance of seeds germinating. Seed compost is also free of nutrients. Once a seed begins to grow it releases its very own food supply nutrients. Health and Safety Overcrowding at benches Lifting heavy seed compost bags Inhalation or eating of compost Wear gloves at all times Always wash hands after activity
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to fill trays with compost > Flashcards Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 select seed sowing compost overfill a suitable tray with compost level the compost with a levelling board using a sawing action press down the compost lightly with a levelling board
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to label How to label Discuss with the group, why it is important to label the trays. Resources Book or pictures of mature plants matching seed sown Tray, pot or container with seeds sown Waterproof pen Label Gloves (optional) Activity Choose the tools and equipment you need for this activity. 1. Use a waterproof pen on the label. 2. Turn the label to write the date on the top (If required assist the learner to do this). 3. Start at left end and write the name of the plant. (If required assist the learner to do this). 4. Place the label in the pot or tray at the outside edge. Further Activities Devise activities that increase understanding of the meaning of left and right. Practice handwriting skills. Practice writing on smaller label sizes. Devise activities that explore the meaning of corner and edge. Help Yourself Grow (Fair Deal & The Hidden Gardens) Health and Safety Overcrowding at benches. Eating of compost. If no gloves are worn, ensure that hands are washed after the activity.
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to label > Flashcards Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 use a waterproof pen on the label turn the label to write the date at the top start at left end and write the name of the plant place the label in the pot or tray at the outside edge
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds indoors How to sow seeds indoors (3 different sizes) You may want to discuss with participants what is a seed? Is it a vegetable or a flower seed? At the end of the activity you may also want to discuss what does a seed need to germinate? Resources Trays, pots or containers Seed compost Leveling board Gloves Seeds, 3 sizes to include small, medium and large (vegetable/ flower) If possible include a seed that you have collected from the garden last year Dibber (if using a large seed) Seed Sowers (optional for very small seeds) Measuring stick (optional) Horticultural sand (small seed) Vermiculite (optional) Thermometer (optional) Tray of water Labels Waterproof pens Trowels Health and Safety Overcrowding in glasshouses/ work benches. Manual handling of heavy seed compost bags. Inhalation of compost. Eating of compost/seeds. Wear gloves at all times (if possible). Always wash hands after activity. Activity Choose the tools and equipment you need for this activity. 1. Choose seed sowing compost. 2. Select seeds to sow (3 different types to include small, medium and large). 3. Fill trays or pots with seed compost. 4. Sow seeds according to packet instructions making sure you plant seed to the correct depth and distance apart. For small seeds you may want to use a seed sower or mix the seed with fine dry sand for an even distribution. 5. Sift a layer of compost or fine vermiculite over small seeds. 6. Water seeds from below. 7. Label pots and trays with plant name and date shown. 8. Place in a greenhouse or suitable environment such as a propagator or heated bench. You may want to cover the tray with clear polythene or a sheet of glass. 9. Maintain a temperature of around 18 degrees centigrade (64 farenheight). Repeat these steps another 2 times to sow all of your small, medium and large seeds. 10. When the seed germinates remove the polythene, glass or propagator lid if used. 11. Keep the compost just moist till the seedling is big enough to be pricked out. Facts Here are some examples of sowing small, medium and large seeds Small seeds: lettuce, parsley, dill, Medium seeds: calendula, marigold, sweet peas, sunflowers Large seeds: peas, broad beans, nasturium
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds indoors What is a seed? A seed contains the new plant and food or nutrients for the new plant while it is still in the seed. What does a seed need to grow? Light, air, space, protection, water, correct temperature. Vermiculite is a material used for covering seeds. This helps oxygen to pass through to the seeds and air movement reduces the possibility of fungal attacks (damping off). Further Activities Practice sowing seeds at various depths and distances, try to improve accuracy. Place seeds in various environments (glasshouse, window, heated bench, plastic bag cover, what seeds grow best and why?) Discuss what is a seed? Discuss what a seed needs to be able to germinate? Practice covering small/medium size seeds that have been sown in trays with a thin layer of vermiculite. Keep a record of greenhouse temperatures. Practice soaking some seed coats overnight to help germination eg. sweet peas, peas. Practice scratching or nicking the seed coat to help germination eg, sweet peas, peas.z Make a seed viewer to learn more about how a seed develops. Go online and search for how to make a see viewer. This will help learners understand about roots and shoots.
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds indoors > Flashcards part 1 of 3 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 choose seed sowing compost Select three different types of seeds to sow (small, medium and large) fill trays or pots with seed compost sow seeds according to packet instructions
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds indoors > Flashcards part 2 of 3 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 Sift a layer of compost or fine vermiculite over small seeds Water seeds from below label pots and trays with plant name and date sown place in a greenhouse or suitable environment such as a propagator or heated bench. You may want to cover the tray with clear polythene or a sheet of glass
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds indoors > Flashcards part 3 of 3 Step 9 Step 10 Step 11 maintain a temperature around 18 degrees centigrade (64 farenheight when seeds germinate, remove the polythene, glass or remove from propagator keep seedling moist till ready for pricking out
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds outdoors How to sow seeds outdoors (3 different sizes) You may want to discuss with participants what is a seed? Is it a vegetable or a flower seed? At the end of the activity you may also want to discuss what does a seed need to be able to germinate. Resources Rake Draw hoe Measuring board (optional) Line or string (optional) Dibber (optional) Gloves Seeds 3 different sizes, small medium and large (vegetable/ flower). If possible include a seed that you have collected from the garden last year Watering can Labels Waterproof pens Trowels (optional) Soil thermometer (optional) Health and Safety Overcrowding in glasshouses/ work benches. Manual handling of heavy compost bags. Inhalation of compost. Eating of compost/seedlings. Wear gloves at all times (if possible). Always wash hands after activity. Activity Choose the tools and equipment you need for this activity 1. Prepare the soil by cultivating the ground with a spade or fork. 2. Then rake to level, grade and de-stone. 3. Tramp with your feet or tamp down with the back of the rake to firm. 4. Re rake lightly to level the soil. 5. Draw out drills to correct depths using draw hoe (you may want to use a measuring board or string line to help keep the row straight). 6. Sow seed at correct depth and spacing. 7. Cover seed (if applicable) or protect your seedlings (if applicable). 8. Label and water. Repeat these steps another 2 times to sow all of your small, medium and large seeds. Craighall, Saughton
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds outdoors Facts Here are some examples of sowing small, medium and large seeds Small seeds: carrots, wild flower mix, turnips, radish Medium seeds: french beans, nasturtium, cosmos Large seeds: peas, broad beans, runner beans, What does a seed need to grow? Light, air, space, protection, water, correct temperature Further Activities Practice sowing seeds at various depths and distances, try to improve accuracy. Discuss what a seed need to germinate outside. Consider protection from frosts, winds and pests Protect your seedlings with either a cloche, fleece, environ mesh, chicken wire, organic pest deterrents etc. Discuss seasonality with the learners, why is it important to plant seeds at the right time of year. Discuss why soil temperature is important for seeds to grow, practice taking soil temperatures at different times of the year and record your success rates. Try warming the soil before planting with fleece or sheeting. Although not a seed, practice planting out tubers, corms, bulbs (vegetable/flower) Research and try Broadcast Sowing. Research and try Square Foot Gardening
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds outdoors > Flashcards part 1 of 2 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 prepare the soil by cultivating the ground with a spade or fork Then rake to level, grade and de-stone tramp with your feet or tamp down with the back of the rake to firm re rake lightly to level the soil
Nurture > Seed Sowing > How to sow seeds outdoors > Flashcards part 2 of 2 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7 Step 8 draw out drills to correct depths using draw hoe (you may want to use a measuring board or string line to help keep the row straight sow seed at correct depth and spacing cover seed (if applicable) or protect your seedlings (if applicable) Label and water