Seed Starting Instructions
In this set of instructions Chase is going to show us how to start seeds for a Bloom Master kit. Starting from seed can save you a bundle when compared to buying herb or other vegetable starts, but it takes some planning ahead. Plan on sowing the seed two months before you can transplant the starts into a Bloom Master hanging basket or box planter.
The seed varieties included in these kits were chosen because they are simple to grow and will do well in a hanging basket.
Here Chase is going to use peat pellets as the growing medium–normal potting soil would work fine too. The pellets are great for a few reasons: they have some fertilizer and nutrients to help the seed get a jump start, they come in a cool mesh unit so you’ll have very little if any mess, they fit perfectly into the bloom master, and well, its also just fun to watch that little pellet swell up into a big peat moss marshmallow.
Arrange the peat pellets in the clam shell or whatever tray you are using.
Fill the tray up about half-way with water.
Allow them a few minutes to soak up the water. You can pour out any excess water after you’ve got the seeds planted.
Chase likes to open up the mesh a bit and work the soil into a looser consistency. This is optional but it allows you to spread the seeds out more within the same pellet and that is nice.
Here they are ready and waiting for seeds.
You can pour directly into the pellet but some seeds are so small that you’ll have to be more careful and just pull out a few at a time.
These basil seeds also blend in with the soil so you’ve got to watch close so you don’t sow too many seeds into one pellet.
Once you have 3-5 seeds in each pellet press them down a little into the soil.
Can you see the basil seeds?
Repeat the process for all the seed varieties.
Close the lid on the clamshells or put a clear plastic cover over the seeds. This will keep the heat in while the seeds start to germinate.
Finally put them in a warm place with plenty of sun.
Next Steps….
In a week or two, when the seeds begin to sprout you can take the cover off and just keep them in that warm and sunny location. If you get any slight molding don’t worry. As the plants continue to grow you will water them less and the mold will die off. Remember you have several more weeks before these are ready to even transplant. Also remember different seed varieties will germinate at different times so don’t get too impatient. Warmth and light will be a huge help.
After about 4-6 weeks the plants will be far enough along to thin. To do this pull out the smaller of the plants leaving the healthiest. Be careful not to damage the healthy plant when pulling out the others.
After another 2 weeks the plants should be big enough to transplant into the Bloom Master. To do this, see the instructions on planting plugs into the Bloom Master.