How to germinate our seeds?

At first, no one on the team knew exactly how to start growing: should we choose seedlings or seeds? Using seedlings is easier and we see the results immediately, but using seeds is cheaper, and although the results aren't instant, we'll have greater satisfaction and be able to choose from a much wider range of varieties of the plant in question, since nurseries usually only carry seedlings of the most common ones.

Therefore, there is no single right answer as to which method to choose, as both have their pros and cons, so it will depend on each person's priorities .

If we opt for seeds, we often don't know how to germinate them to grow strong and healthy, or we only have a vague idea of ​​how to do it. Therefore, we're going to give you a process you can do in your own kitchen that yields good results with almost all small seeds (<5mm). We'll follow these steps:

1. We add the seeds evenly distributed on a napkin and then place a damp napkin on top.

2. We roll the napkins into a cylinder, as this will help the process.

3. We place our cylinder in the chosen container—any container we have at home, like a yogurt container, will do—and partially close it, leaving a small space for air circulation. It's important to make a small hole in the bottom of the container to facilitate drainage and prevent the roots from suffocating.

4. We placed our container somewhere in our home where the temperature is around 20-22 degrees Celsius.

Once we've reached this point, what do we do?:

1. Periodically check how the germination is progressing, keeping the napkins always moist.

2. Check the seeds after 3 days and observe how they have developed.

3. We take out the ones that have already germinated and place them in the container where we are going to grow them.

4. We moisten the paper napkins again.

5. Continue checking the seeds every day and remove those that have already germinated.

As you can see, it is a simple process but it requires time and patience.

Another method we can use is to plant the seed directly in the ground ; here are the steps to follow:

1. Knowing the conditions that the plant requires, such as temperature, humidity and light.

2. We make a hole in the base of the container we have chosen (yogurt containers, small flowerpot or seed tray) in such a way that it allows drainage and ensures that the roots do not suffocate in case of excess rain or watering.

3. We put soil in the container and bury the seed at a depth of 2-3 times the size of the seed itself.

4. Water the seed regularly, making sure it doesn't dry out. Until germination, we recommend watering almost every day, but don't overdo it, as excess water could have negative effects on the seed.

Seedlings , unlike seeds, do not require constant moisture in the first few days since it is not necessary as in the case of seed germination.

When the seedling's roots are very compacted in its tray or container, it's advisable to gently loosen or make a small incision among the roots at the bottom. This signals to the plant that it has been transplanted to a more spacious container and should continue developing roots. If the seedling has grown extensively above ground before transplanting—as is often the case with non-organic seedlings that have been chemically fertilized—it's also a good idea to prune the plant and remove any dead leaves. This ensures that all its energy is focused on developing strong roots in those first few days after transplanting.