Planting planning: required seed consumption

We will tell you how to calculate the exact number of seeds for planting.

I recommend reading: Disadvantages of a high bed that a gardener should know about before deciding to arrange it on his site

To buy the required amount of seeds you need:

• draw up an accurate plan of the beds and their sizes necessary for planting all crops;
• calculate how many plants should be planted per 1 m2;
• determine the germination of seeds.

Before purchasing, carefully study how many seeds are in the package. Manufacturers can indicate weight in grams or piece quantity.

Seed germination test

Each crop has a different germination rate, to get rid of waste, follow the guidelines below.

Soak

With the help of the soaking procedure, the germination of seeds is accelerated, the seed is disinfected before planting and the outer shell softens. With the addition of growth stimulants, earlier shoots can be obtained. This procedure is carried out before landing:

1. Pour water at room temperature into a special container or container.
2. Place the seeds in cheesecloth and soak for 12-18 hours.
3. After swelling, spread out on the fabric in a thin layer and cover with damp gauze on top.
4. Moisten gauze regularly as needed.
5. After the sprouts appear, plant the seeds in moist soil.

Warming up

Thermotherapy is useful for seeds of cucumbers, squash, pumpkin and squash. An ultraviolet lamp is sometimes used for warming up, it not only stimulates growth, but also disinfects the planting material. You can use a variety of heating devices, such as spreading seeds around the stove or stove. One option is to use a thermos. Pour hot water into it, the temperature of which is about 40-60 C, and soak the seeds for 20 minutes.

Hardening

Hardening helps to increase the resistance of plants to cold weather and night frosts. This procedure is carried out after soaking the planting material in water at room temperature. Swollen seeds are removed in the refrigerator for 10-12 hours. After, every day alternate daytime heating in the sun and night hardening in the refrigerator until the first shoots appear. When the seeds hatch, they should be immediately planted in moist soil.

Even if you carry out all the necessary procedures before planting, not all seeds will give one hundred percent germination, for example, the minimum germination rate of zucchini is 80%. This means that out of ten seeds, at least eight will sprout.

Germination rate of various crops:

• the germination rate of cucumbers is 70%;
• cabbage, eggplant and pepper - 60%;
• tomato germination - 65%;
• dill, celery, parsley - 50%.

We calculate the required amount

After deciding on the number of beds and calculating their area, you should use the norms for planting crops per square meter:

• eggplant, pepper, early cabbage - 5-6 pcs.;
• medium and late cabbage - 2-3 pcs.;
• cucumbers - 5-7 pcs.;
• tomatoes - 5 pcs.

Use techniques that improve seed germination and plan your future planting.

Do you know how to prepare seeds for sowing?

Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.

Read also: Top ideas for a beautiful garden, or How to equip a real piece of paradise