Sourcing Seedlings for a Strong Crop


Everything has a beginning, I mean even the chicken started with the egg, right? Your garden is no different, you need to start by sourcing seedlings or seeds.

SEEDLINGS

These seedlings can be affordably purchased at various plant shops throughout Trinidad and Tobago from as low as 50₵! So for example, a 50₵ investment in okra seedlings can earn you over $200 in crops when harvested.


Selecting seedlings can make or break your garden so be sure that you:

  • Check the foliage: Leaves should be a consistent strong solid colour (usually     green). Avoid yellow leaves, it can mean that the seedling is lacking a nutrient. 
  • Buds, not flowers: Select flower seedlings or small potted plants that have more buds rather than already flowering – you’ll get to enjoy your flowers longer!
  • Check for hitchhikers: Look carefully on the underside of leaves because common garden pests like whitefly, aphids, and mealybug like to hide out below leaves. You do not want to bring those home! 
  • Fresh is best: Be sure to check out local plant nurseries, or garden centers for seedlings. Here are some great locations where you can purchase a variety of seedlings:
o  Aranguez Nursery- While the variety of crop seedlings is limited and their supply not always dependable, seedlings cost between 50 ₵ and $1 and they have a wide variety of plant pots, soil and fertilizers.
o  New Bloom Nurseries- This one-stop gardening shop provides a variety of seedlings and plants complete with potting soil, fruit trees, and garden décor. What more do you need?
o  Az-zahara Plant Shop- not into crops? This place has you covered for flowers and trees. 

TIPS- 
  • Be sure to select the strongest looking plants, not necessarily the biggest plants. 
  • Don't overcrowd your vegetable and flower beds. This will be detrimental to all of your plants and will affect your final crop.
  • If you are starting seedlings indoors, you will need to find a warm area to germinate your seeds and a well-lit area for your seedlings to get started.

SEEDS

If you choose to germinate your own seedlings from the packets of seeds make sure to:
·   

  • Buy fresh seeds. Seed packets will have a ‘sow by’ or ‘packed on’ date. Older seeds, and especially those past their ‘sow by’ date, will likely have a poorer germination rate. Garden centers and nurseries are a great source of seeds as they tend to have a wide variety of seeds.
  • Use good 'potting soil' as they have the right amount of nutrients needed to give your seedlings the best start. 
  • Provide seedlings with adequate amount of sunlight during the day and enough water to keep the soil moist but not soggy.  

TIP- You can Save your Own Seeds- It's really easy to save the seeds of the fruits and vegetables you commonly eat and use them to start your garden. 

 Have you grown seeds or transplanted seedlings before? Why do you usually source your seedlings? Share your experience with me in the comment section below! 

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