Soil Mixing and Germinating

Spring is finally here and if you haven't already, it's time to get your garden started. I picked out a few packs of organic seeds and used some seeds that I have collected from food purchased straight from the farm and started to germinate!  Germinate means to start the seeds growing process.  The seed requires a warm damp dark spot to germinate.  I purchased a tray for seedlings with a clear top to act as a greenhouse.  I have a 95% success rate with germinating and recommend that you establish a good root system before transplanting out doors.  


You will need to mix your own soil: 
1 bag of soil
1 small bag of silica or perlite
1 bag of worm castings
1 brick of coco
Rainbow Grow Mix (it's an all natural fertilizer with mycorrhizae)


You will need for germinating:
1 tray with clear plastic top.  The one I purchased allows for water to drain out the bottom and it has a catch tray built in. 
Seeds
Water (let sit for 24 hours so chlorine is eliminated) 


In a large plastic storage bin dump bag of soil in with half of bag of worm castings, silica and 1/8 of the brick of coco and Rainbow grow.  Mix by hand using your fingers to turn the soil in your hand.  Once soil is mixed set aside.


Next add soil to top of plastic tray.  Wipe excess away so you can see individual slots for planting seeds.  with your finger push down in the center of each slot about an 1/8 of an inch.  Plant 1-3 seeds in each whole, cover with soil and water lightly.  Place top on tray and let sit in a warm space for a week.  Water only if needed, soil should be damp all the time.  After a week you will notice the seeds have sprouted.  Remove the cover once a day and let plants establish roots.  After two weeks you will have a strong root base and your plants will be ready to transplant outside.