Summer is a great time to explore fun and educational activities for your family. Discover easy gardening projects and try seed planting for kids! They will learn how to plant seeds indoors and how to take care of them. Planting seeds is a great way to improve motor skills and help with sensory issues, such as digging and placing the seeds, all while teaching kids about gardening and responsibility.
Ready to grow? Learn how to plant seeds with kids and enjoy a fun gardening activity together!
How to Plant Seeds for Beginners
Summer in Texas can be intense, and the heat and humidity make outdoor activities overwhelming. Stay cool at home with creative family fun and learn how to plant seeds indoors. Seed starting indoors gives you control of the growing conditions, allowing your plants more time to mature before planting outdoors.
When planting seeds, it is important to understand the different phases and terminology so you can grow with success.
- Seed Germination – when dormant seeds are provided with water, oxygen, light, and the proper temperatures, these conditions allow the seed coat to break open, and the root to emerge.
- Sowing Seeds – the process of planting seeds in soil at the correct depth and spacing.
- Days to Maturity – how long the plant takes to produce fruits or flowers for harvest time.
- Days to Emerge – the number of days it takes for a seed to sprout after being planted in the seedling mix.
To get started, you will need the following supplies:
- Jiffy Pots®
- Seed Packet
- Black Gold® Natural & Organic Seedling Mix
- RapiClip® Plant Markers
- Watering Can
- Spray Bottle
- Tray or Saucer
STEP ONE: PREPARE SEEDLING MIX
First, fill your Jiffy-Pot® with Black Gold® Natural & Organic Seedling Mix, one of the best natural seedling mixes around! It is an excellent growing medium for new seeds with a fine, yet porous blend and water-retaining qualities. Pairing this organic mix with Jiffy-Pots® will ensure excellent root development.
Place the soil-filled peat pot in a tray or saucer. The small tray will help hold the excess water because Jiffy-Pots® are compostable, biodegradable, and plastic-free.
Prepare the soil for planting and pre-moisten the seedling mix by watering in thoroughly.
STEP TWO: PLANT SEEDS
Choose the best seeds to grow indoors for your gardening project, and try vibrant flowers such as Sunflowers, Cosmos, Zinnias, Marigolds, Pansies, or Black-Eyed Susans.
Next, check the package instructions and place the recommended number of seeds in a hole in the seedling soil. Lightly cover the seeds with soil and gently pat it down. Depending on the variety, a seed grouping can range from 1-3 seeds per pot.
Mist the soil with a spray water bottle until it is moist to the touch.
STEP THREE: LABEL AND LIGHTING
Once the seeds are planted, label them to remember what you are growing and how to care for your plant. Have fun decorating your RapiClip® Plant Markers with colorful markers, craft paint, or crayons.
Personalize your plant labels with the name of your seeds, and feel free to add any other important care tips for easy reference. You can add sunlight needs, seed watering tips, days to maturity, or any other important notes that will help you properly care for your seeds.
Display your plants in a warm location with a good light source to encourage germination. Place near a very bright, south-facing window, and extra LED lighting can also give your seedlings the extra boost they need. Rotate your pots every few days for even exposure and water frequently with the spray bottle to keep the soil moist, but not soggy.
Fun Seed Planting Ideas for Kids
Take seed planting for kids to the next level with creativity and crafts! Let them decorate their Jiffy-Pots® with biodegradable craft paper and water-based glue!
Construction paper is made from plant materials and will naturally decompose, making it a fine choice for your kid’s gardening activity. They can decorate their pots with colorful and naturally biodegradable paper. Use non-toxic water-based glue such as Mod Podge® or Elmer’s® School Glue.
Grab a fresh, clean Jiffy-Pot®. Use a sponge or paint brush and apply water-based glue to the outside of the planter.
Tear up a few sheets of construction paper in various colors into small pieces. Apply enough glue to adhere each piece to the Jiffy-Pot®.
Repeat until your entire pot is covered or until you’ve created your ideal design. Cover everything with an extra layer of water-based glue and allow it to dry completely. Once everything is dry, start planting your seeds.
Complete your creation with a decorative plant label and display it in a sunny and warm location. Once your seeds have reached maturity, you can place your Jiffy-Pots® directly into the ground for healthy continued growth. The paper will decompose in your flowerbeds along with the peat pots.
Seed Journal for Kids
Download and print our FREE Seed Journal for your family! This will help educate your kids on how to plant seeds and record their daily observations. They can keep note of their variety, the day they planted, seed germination, and how much it is growing over time.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here to help with all your fun summer gardening activities and projects! Visit us today and explore our stunning collection of vibrant blooms, lush indoor plants, pest control solutions, stately trees and shrubs, stylish pottery, and so much more! Shop any of our 28 neighborhood stores, where we have served our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? No worries! Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
