1. Growing Veggies from Seed
Watch those little suckers grow!
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs

2. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
It’s very satisfying and fun to raise seedlings
Raising your own seedlings is economical
Wider variety of vegetables available from seed
Efficiency – you only put in plants that have germinated
Headstart – The plant you put in are up and growing, with a jump on pests
Better Germination – you have more control over the germination conditions
Why bother?
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

3. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Direct Sow –
Large seeds like peas, beans, corn, pumpkin etc
Root crops like carrots, turnips and beetroot that don’t transplant well
Punnets –
Everything else!
Direct Sow Vs Punnets
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

4. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Viruses and bacteria can carry over from crop to crop
They can be devastating
Wash all punnets, implements, trays and tags in disinfectant solution –
Dettol
Bleach
Household disinfectant
Or expose to heat and sun
Wash your hands!
Hygiene
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

5. Making your own potting mix
Add together
1 part coarse washed river sand
2 parts compost or worm castings
3 parts cocopeat
Keep components wet and/or use dust mask (Legionella)
Mix with hands and it’s ready for use
Versatile for seed raising, potting on or microgreens
Making your own potting mix
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

6. Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Fill punnet or container with seed raising mix.
Press down lightly to compress mix and make a planting depression
Plant seeds as deep as twice the diameter of the seed
Cover with mix a tamp down, ensure a flat surface on the mix
Sowing the seeds
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

7. Conditions for germinating
Warm and moist!
Make a capillary bed by putting coarse sand in a plastic container then fill with water.
Plenty of light
Protected from pests
Conditions for germinating
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

8. Pricking out and Potting On
Not until the four leaf stage at least
Use the high tech tool to remove the seedlings (paddle pop stick)
Break apart retaining as much soil as possible
Fill the receiving pot and push a hole in the top
Place the seedling and backfill with potting mix
Pricking out and Potting On
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

9. Hardening Off and Planting out
If seedlings have been greenhouse grown, move them outside for a few days before planting out
Plant out later in the afternoon
Dig a hole and loosen soil
Put in seedling, water and mulch
Don’t forget snail pellets if required
Hardening Off and Planting out
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2

10. For more details check our website
Sustainable Living in the Suburbs
For more details check our website
Eating The Suburbs - Session 2