How to Direct Seed for Container Gardening

Container gardening is a convenient way to grow vegetables, herbs and yard flowers without having to dig up and prepare a garden site. Clean containers filled with a suitable potting mix are a suitable home for seeds to get their start in, even if you keep the container indoors until the weather gets warmer. For larger vegetable plants, use containers that hold about 5 gallons of soil to give the roots room to grow. Some smaller plants like herbs and flowers might only need a gallon-sized plant pot for housing their roots.

Bleach
Rag
Peat moss
Sand
Potting soil
Plant containers
Seed packets
Plastic wrap

Instructions

- 1
  Wash out the container with a mixture of 1 cup bleach and 1/2 gallon of water. This will kill off any pathogens that might feed on the soil or plants.
- 2
  Make a potting mixture of equal parts of dampened peat moss, sand and potting soil. Mix it well and fill container to within an inch of the top.
- 3
  Plant the seeds in the containers according to the instructions on the packet of seeds for spacing and depth. Tamp the soil over the seeds lightly to make good soil-to-seed contact.
- 4
  Water the seeds gently so that you dampen the soil well without dislodging the seeds.
- 5
  Cover the top of the container with clear plastic wrap and place it in a warm spot where it will get at least eight hours of sunlight per day.
- 6
  Open the plastic every day to check the seeds, water them a little and to allow fresh air in, until the seeds sprout and send up their first leaves. Remove the plastic and continue watering lightly every day.
- 7
  Bring the containers outside when the last chance of frost has passed and set them where they will get the amount of sunlight that they need.
- 8
  Water every couple of days during the summer and even once a day during times of high heat and no rain.

How to Revive Petunias

How Long Will It Take for a Helianthus Annuus to Grow?

Growing Annuals