- Sowing in a square in your garden box
- Thinning your seedlings: what, why, and how
- Pre-sprouting snow peas, winter peas, and sugar snaps
- How to pre-sow tomatoes indoors
- Pre-sowing courgettes, cucumbers and pumpkins
- Afharden van zaailingen
- How long do your seeds stay good?
- Are your old seeds still good?
- Harvesting seeds yourself
- How do you take care of pre-sown plants?
- Sowing in a square in your garden box
- Thinning your seedlings: what, why, and how
- Pre-sprouting snow peas, winter peas, and sugar snaps
- How to pre-sow tomatoes indoors
- Pre-sowing courgettes, cucumbers and pumpkins
- Afharden van zaailingen
- How long do your seeds stay good?
- Are your old seeds still good?
- Harvesting seeds yourself
- How do you take care of pre-sown plants?
Are your old seeds still good?
Can you still use your old seeds in your Planty Garden? Do a germination test: that's how you check which seeds will still sprout roots. I'll show you how.
You only need a few seeds to get your Planty Garden growing. If you've been at it for a year or 2, you probably have some old seeds lying around. Or maybe you just got some of a friend.
So, the question is: how do you know if you can still use your seeds?
So, the question is: how do you know if you can still use your seeds?
Germination power
Germination power is the percentage of seeds that will sprout when the conditions are right. The more germination power, the more likely it is that you'll see seedlings emerge when you sow them.
A lot of seeds can be left on the shelf for years. Peas or radishes, to name a couple. Others lose their ability to germinate sooner, like old lettuce and spinach. They have a tougher time.
A simple test makes it easy to see which seeds have a good chance at making it in your garden.
A lot of seeds can be left on the shelf for years. Peas or radishes, to name a couple. Others lose their ability to germinate sooner, like old lettuce and spinach. They have a tougher time.
A simple test makes it easy to see which seeds have a good chance at making it in your garden.
How to do a germination test
Take a plastic to-go container or Tupperware and place a damp paper towel on the bottom, folded in half.
Put your seeds in rows and then cover the container with plastic wrap. The plastic keeps the paper towel from drying out.
Put a sheet of paper under the container. Write each vegetable's name on it. Otherwise, you'll forget which is which. Trust me, I know from experience.
Lastly, cover the container with a dark cloth. Some seeds only germinate in the dark.
Put a sheet of paper under the container. Write each vegetable's name on it. Otherwise, you'll forget which is which. Trust me, I know from experience.
Lastly, cover the container with a dark cloth. Some seeds only germinate in the dark.
Just a little patience
Over the next few days, you should see the seeds start to sprout.
But beware: not all seeds germinate at the same speed. Radishes will take just a few days, lettuce takes a little longer and spinach seeds take about 10 days.
Check the app for each vegetable's germination timeframe. You can also check the seed description in the webshop.
But beware: not all seeds germinate at the same speed. Radishes will take just a few days, lettuce takes a little longer and spinach seeds take about 10 days.
Check the app for each vegetable's germination timeframe. You can also check the seed description in the webshop.
So, are they keepers?
Do almost all your seeds sprout? Then their powers of germination are strong 😉 You can use them.
Do only a few germinate, or none at all? Then toss them in the trash. It's a bummer, but nothing's more frustrating than sowing, waiting for weeks, and then seeing nothing come up.
Is it 50/50? Then you can still use the seeds. But when you sow, just plant a few extra seeds in each hole. Something like 5 instead of the usual 2 or 3.
If you get extra seedlings, you just thin them out later.
Do only a few germinate, or none at all? Then toss them in the trash. It's a bummer, but nothing's more frustrating than sowing, waiting for weeks, and then seeing nothing come up.
Is it 50/50? Then you can still use the seeds. But when you sow, just plant a few extra seeds in each hole. Something like 5 instead of the usual 2 or 3.
If you get extra seedlings, you just thin them out later.
Storing your seeds
Most seeds stay good for years, even longer than the date on the bag. You just need to keep them cool and dry.
Mel Bartholomew writes in his Square Foot Gardening book that you should keep them in a sealed jar in the fridge.
When you need them, you just:
Mel Bartholomew writes in his Square Foot Gardening book that you should keep them in a sealed jar in the fridge.
When you need them, you just:
- open the fridge
- take out the jar
- take out the seed bag
- take out some seeds
- put the bag back in the jar
- put the jar back in the fridge
Sounds good. In theory.
In practice?
I'm not the greatest seed-storer of all time. Not as bad as the picture, but I don't do the fridge method.
My seedbox is usually left open and exposed in the pantry throughout the growing season. And sometimes, I find open bags in my coat pocket a week after I sowed them.
That's why I always check to see if my seeds are still good at the start of each sowing season.
My seedbox is usually left open and exposed in the pantry throughout the growing season. And sometimes, I find open bags in my coat pocket a week after I sowed them.
That's why I always check to see if my seeds are still good at the start of each sowing season.
Alternative to storing
Instead of storing seeds carefully, you can also simply use them all up.
For example, by sharing packets of seed with others. But sometimes there are so many seeds in a packet that even then you will never get through your supply.
That is one of the reasons I put together my own seed selection. It includes vegetables, herbs, and flowers that all do well in the squares of my garden boxes. Not too big, quick-growing, easy, and above all very tasty.
The packets are available separately, but also in a few bundles.
For example, by sharing packets of seed with others. But sometimes there are so many seeds in a packet that even then you will never get through your supply.
That is one of the reasons I put together my own seed selection. It includes vegetables, herbs, and flowers that all do well in the squares of my garden boxes. Not too big, quick-growing, easy, and above all very tasty.
The packets are available separately, but also in a few bundles.
- Basic seeds - 12 easy varieties that fit in any vegetable garden
- Climbers - 7 varieties for the trellis
We also regularly offer temporary bundles.
Each packet has all the information you need for the Makkelijke Moestuin, such as how many plants to sow per square. There are enough seeds in each packet to sow several squares.
With a bundle like this, you can easily keep a few garden boxes filled all season. But unlike many shop-bought packets, they do not contain huge quantities you will never use up.
All our seeds are also in the Makkelijke Moestuin app, so you get a free garden coach straight away.
Ideal.
With a bundle like this, you can easily keep a few garden boxes filled all season. But unlike many shop-bought packets, they do not contain huge quantities you will never use up.
All our seeds are also in the Makkelijke Moestuin app, so you get a free garden coach straight away.
Ideal.
(Pre-)sowing
- Sowing in a square in your garden box
- Thinning your seedlings: what, why, and how
- Pre-sprouting snow peas, winter peas, and sugar snaps
- How to pre-sow tomatoes indoors
- Pre-sowing courgettes, cucumbers and pumpkins
- Afharden van zaailingen
- How long do your seeds stay good?
- Are your old seeds still good?
- Harvesting seeds yourself
- How do you take care of pre-sown plants?