Most seeds sprout best between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit, and since the average home is not this warm your seeds might need a little help to get started. What is a Humidity Dome?Ī humidity dome is a clear piece of plastic that sits on top of a seed tray to capture moisture and keep your seed warm during the germination process. They can also help speed up the germination process and reduce the need for you to constantly ensure your seeds have enough water to grow.ĭomes will keep the relative humidity levels in the tray at ~98%, which is ideal for seed starting. A seed will still germinate without a humidity dome – however, using a dome on top of your seed trays can help you get higher germination rates with your seed. Is a Humidity Dome Necessary? Should I Cover My Seed Trays?Ī humidity dome is not necessary for germination. While it doesn’t come with a heat mat, you’re getting the highest quality seed trays as well as 2 humidity domes. If you’re looking for the highest quality starter kit, this would be it. Here are some of the best humidity domes I’ve found. For most gardeners, the height really won’t matter too much as you’ll be removing the dome once seeds begin germination. The most common type is a 2-inch dome, but you can find them as tall as 7-8 inches high. You can get some that are really tall or more shallow, some have vent holes and some do not. There are a few options when it comes to humidity domes that you can buy. Let’s talk about that clear piece of plastic that looks like something commercial growers would use – the humidity dome. So why not put in just a little more effort and get a higher yield and bigger harvest of plants for your garden?Įach of these components, while not necessary, have a specific purpose and help increase the germination rate so more of your seeds turn into seedlings. If you’re already putting in the extra effort and starting seeds indoors, you clearly want to get a head start on the growing season. The difference is going to show in the length of time it takes to germinate, as well as the seed germination rate you end up with. You can put seeds in dirt, water them and hope for the best – or you can get a full-blown seed starting kit with a heat mat, humidity dome, and high-quality propagation tray, along with some soilless starting mix. Seedlings should be watered once a day or every other day, depending on how much sun and heat they get.Starting seeds for this year’s garden? The thing about seed starting is that you can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. Continue to keep the mix moist, but not overly wet. Once your seeds have started to sprout they will need light! Remove the humidity dome or plastic wrap, and move the seedlings to the sunniest spot in your house (preferably a south-facing window). Only spritz the seeds with more water if the mix feels dry to the touch Step Six: Give Your New Seedlings Light. If your seedling pots stay covered in a warm nook, the low humidity will keep your seeds happy until they sprout. This is because sunlight is not essential at this point. If you need to warm them up, your seed trays can be placed wherever it’s warmest in your house, such as an attic, bathroom, laundry room, or kitchen. If your dome has vents, keep them open to help with air circulation during the sprouting period. Mist your seeds with water from a spray bottle.Īssemble your pots in a seed tray (or reuse a disposable aluminum roasting pan, a baking pan, or even that plastic clamshell that your salad greens came in) and cover them with a humidity dome (or just plain old plastic wrap). Step Five: Keep Your Seeds Moist And Warm Now is the time to start labeling what was planted where new seeds all look quite similar, so you will want to keep track of them. If your seeds are larger (like beans or peas) or they require darkness to germinate (check the instructions on the seed packets), cover them with a layer of vermiculite or seed starting mix equal to their height, usually 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch Step Four: Label Your Newly Planted Seeds. If your seeds are very small, like basil or mustard, you can leave them uncovered.3 Place two to four seeds on the surface of the seed starting mix, and gently press the seeds down so they’re nestled in nicely. Then begin to fill your pots or trays with the mix! Aim for the mix to be uniformly damp, like wet sand. Note that this will take several minutes, as peat-based seed starting mixes are slow to absorb, and you can add more water as needed. You’ll want to dump your seed starting mix into a large tub or bucket, pour in a generous amount of water, and stir it up with your hands or a trowel. Step Two: Fill Pots Or Trays With Seed Starting Mix.
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