Go To Seed: Seed Starting Simplified

Going to seed to start your own plants?

I'm trying to simplify seed starting by giving complete directions for each plant under its name, rather than using symbols and charts.

A former Master Gardener and current garden writer, I've attempted to grow hundreds of plant varieties from seed. In the process, I've developed some insight into what works and what doesn't.

In the sidebar of the seed listings pages, you can find directions for seeds which need special treatment, such as chipping, cold treatment, and etc.

Should you need further information, the links to the left under "Seed Starting Articles" will take you to some of my more general seed starting articles on other sites.

If you are starting an unusual plant or one not usually grown from seed, check the links to my "Specific Seed Starting Articles" to see if it is listed there. Keep in mind, however, that there are good reasons that fruit trees and plants usually aren't grown from seed.

You may also be able to click on a link in your plant's listing to take you to a specific piece I've written about that plant for another site. However, not all of those articles will cover seed starting.

Seed Starting Simplified

After clicking above on the initial of the plant you wish to sow, scroll down the page to which the link takes you to find that plant's name and directions. Flowers are listed under their genus names--Aquilegia instead of columbine, for example. Vegetables appear under their common names.

General Seed Starting Articles

Homemade Fungicide for Seedlings

How To Speed Up the Germination of Seeds

How To Use Potassium Nitrate to Enhance Germination

The Paper Towel Method for Starting Seeds

Smoke, Gibberellic Acid, and Ethylene: Strange Ways of Treating Your Seeds

Thwarting Dastardly Damping-Off Disease

When to Plant Vegetables in Pennsylvania

Specific Seed Starting Articles

(listed alphabetically according to plant name)

How to Start a Tree from an Apricot Seed

How to Grow Bird of Paradise from Seed