How to grow high quality seedlings using the Biointensive Method

1. Use an organic specific seed raising mix or a home made one.  All other seed raising mixes contain fungicide which will kill all the beneficial microorganisms. These micro organisms are vital for healthy, high Brix* plants.

2. Use a seedling tray that is a minimum of 6-7 cm deep. Shallow trays do not provide enough depth to grow the best roots. Koanga Gardens stock macrocarpa kit set trays.  (www.koanga.org.nz/shop)

3. Check seed packets or Koanga Garden Guide to ensure you plant the seeds at the optimum time for their germination.

4. Plant seeds of a similar size in a tray together, so you can easily cover them with the correct amount of seed raising mix. Cover with the same soil depth as the seeds are deep. Too much soil will prevent seeds from germinating.
 

5. Label seeds carefully. Use waterproof pen on strips of plastic or wooden sticks.

6. Keep your seeds evenly moist but not too wet. Tiny seeds are particularly sensitive to too much moisture as they germinate. Use a watering can or sprinkler head that allows water to fall like soft rain.

7. Once the seeds begin germinating they must have full light conditions or they will grow leggy very fast.

8. Once your seedlings have germinated, with their first two leaves above ground, they must be pricked out into another tray at the optimal diagonal spacing for that seedling. (see Koanga seed packets for details). Use the same soil mix as for seed.

9. Handle the seedlings very carefully by their leaf tips only when transplanting. We use a ‘widger’ or a teaspoon handle to lift them out of the seed tray to transplant them. Plant the seedlings so that the leaves are just above the surface of the soil, bury them up to their shoulders, so that the stem is covered.

10. All seedlings will need to be protected from wind and rain until they are almost ready to plant into the garden. Check the seed packets for details on when to plant into your garden and at what spacings.

11. Continue to water your seedlings in the way that most resembles gentle falling rain.

12. You can use a foliar feed to encourage healthy growth and raise the Brix* levels of your plants. Active Calcium, or EF Growth Foliar spray,  or something you have made yourself with vermicast or seaweed. You can use a  refractometer to test what is working. ( See overleaf for more info about the refractometer).

13. Hardening off your seedlings before transplanting into the garden is very important. Place your tray of seedlings on an outside but sheltered bench where the birds or chickens can’t scratch them out, for 3 days prior to transplanting to avoid transplanting shock.

14. Storing your seeds: Seeds are alive, and need to be stored with care to ensure their viability. It is important to store your seeds in a dry cool environment, away from sunlight and moisture.