Small Amount of Compost for Seeds

Cultivating plants is one activity that is dependent on the seasons, and involves amending the growing environment. This is known as the use of compost which is referred to as one of the best practices among organic amendments. However, while gardening, when growing seeds there is a common question whether it would be necessary to use a considerable volume of compost or maybe just a bit will do. Surprisingly, a small mix of compost has proven more efficient for seeds than a bigger bulk. In this article, we will specifically look into the use of compost at dormant stage, the rationale for the smaller quantity, and the possible ways of improving the chances of plant growth.

What is Compost?

Compost is organic material that has undergone biological decomposition to become a nutrient filled materials. It is produced as a result of the aerobic and anaerobic bacterial breakdown of different organic waste materials such as food scraps, lawn and garden waste, animal excrement and paper. This results in a blackish granular product that contains high levels of nitrogen which photosynthesizing plants require in their optimum growing conditions. Compost has been found to supplement nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and also helps in the soil structure improvement, water holding capacity and stimulating favorable soil microbial populations.

Employed on mature plants, compost is a great soil conditioner, though there is a need for more careful adjustment of its use for the seedlings. Wee plugs are wee themselves and too many nutrients to them at once can be a problem, thus even application is the key.

Seed Germination Process and the Needs in it

Seed germination is the development of seed from it’s dormant phase when that the cotyledons are not yet emerged into a fully developed stage of a plant. Like any other process of a life cycle, this phase of a plant’s life or development is also the most critical, which means that the right environmental conditions something should be done to ensure optimum high levels of germination and early healthy growth of the seedlings. This is where a compost comes to perform its significance.

Nutrient Supply: Generally from all seeds, enough nutrients are embedded to sustain the embryo stage, but when developing new tissues and cotyledons, nutrients must be contacted from outside. Compost contains nutrients that are available to infant plants and aids toward strong root and stem growth of young plants.

Soil Structure: Compost positively affects the physical composition of the earth so that the plants can easily anchor their roots. For this, loose and well-aerated soils must be made so that oxygen is made available to the roots that promote growth and health of the plant.

Water Retention: Compost has been found to increase the ability of the soil to maintain moisture that is necessary for seeds; when these are planted, they need moisture throughout the germination process. No water should be taken at this stage, since the absence of water can lead to injuries due to rot. Compost does this well by retaining moisture and letting the excess water drain out.

Beneficial Microbes: It is rich in microorganisms like bacteria and fungi which are beneficial in that they protect young plants from plant diseases. These microbes perform the decomposition of biodegradable matter and bring forth nutrients, thus supporting utmost healthy conditions for the seeds.

Why a Small Amount of Compost is Ideal for Seeds

Even though compost is one of the most effective materials for enhancing plant growth, such an example as application of excessive amounts of compost for seeds makes one think further. Here is why a small amount of compost is necessary for seeds:

Avoid Nutrient Overload

Composting is prestigious for containing many nutrients, however, some young plants do not feel well because of further excess. For example, seedlings have small root systems and so they are not ready to absorb nutrients in plenty. Too much compost translates to nutrient burn, where the excess nutrients dominate the roots and so the plants do not grow. This is ensured through the use of fine amounts of compost so that seeds do not lack required nutrients and still do not face chances of excess nutrient supplied.

Improved Soil Aeration

Oxygen is a key requirement for seed germination, and so is the soil. A compacted soil can limit oxygen availability. Using an excessive amount of organic low soil or high organic soil can make the soil heavy and deter aeration. Due to this, there is hampered seed germination and weak seedlings. By making use of small quantities of compost and other excavated materials, the soil is light in weight as it ought to be with sufficiency of oxygen supply.

Manage Water Retention

Moisture is conserved by the use of compost. However, too much of it leads to waterlogged soils. There must be a balance as seeds need some moisture and air too. If the soils are too wet, plant roots may drown and diseases like damping off which is prevalent in seedlings may develop because of humidity. A small amount of compost helps to accomplish this challenge without flooding the land with water.

Economic benefits

Compost is a very cheap but very useful ingredient, and using a lot is throwing it away for no reason because a small quantity is sufficient to provide seeds with an ideal condition to germinate. Although seeds utilize only a small portion, east personally when starting seeds in containers compost is cost efficient when employed judiciously by the gardeners.

Curbability of Weed Growth

The influence of compost can also mean the introduction of horticultural weed seeds that are usually dispersed in un-decomposed or un-sterilized compost. If you use an excessive quantity of compost in your garden, these weeds may be introduced into your garden whether you like it or not. It also prevents unwanted seedlings from emerging and occupying space and nutrients from the intended seedlings by reducing the amounts especially when starting seeds indoors.

Using Compost for Seeds: Detailed Instructions

Having understood the reasons as to why small amounts of compost help seeds one has to appreciate how to do it appropriately.

Step 1: Choose Appropriate Compost

It is important to understand that at the time of seed germination, good quality well aged compost is used. Pick out compost that is already well matured and decomposed to dark color with a general fine texture and earthy scent. Do not use compost that smells bad, globs, and has large chunky materials that look green or brown and have not decayed, as these mean that the compost is not there yet.

Step 2: Make a Seed-Starting Mix

Seeds require warmth and moisture from the soil. This means it is only best to apply compost within the mixture of other materials. Common proportions of a seed-starting mix of about:

1 part compost

2 parts peat or coco coir (to hold water)

1 part perlite or vermiculite (for drainage)

With this ratio, the seeds might be able to absorb the nutrients as well as retain some moisture and drain adequate water which is important for germination and initial growth stages of the plants.The next step after mixing the seed starting blend is to fill the seed trays or pots with the mixture.

Fill the seed trays or pots with the mixture. Embed it within the planting medium to reduce air pocket build up, but do not make the soil dense since seeds require air.

Step 4: Sow the Seeds

Sow your seeds according to instructions for the respective plants. Certain seeds can merely be placed on the soil, while some require a thin cover. For either case, it’s important to note that the seeds must be lightly pressed into the soil mix to enable quick moisture absorption.

Water Step 5 – Mildly

Treat the soil using a spray bottle or watering can with sprinkler nazzle. First upon seeds have been placed into the soil ensure that watering isn’t complete and it is done moderately without displacing the seeds. The soil should be made moist enough to prevent the seeds from drying out, but overly moist soil should be avoided since it would mean seeds may rot.

Light and Temperature Step 6 – Provide Correct Light and Temperature

Once you’ve filled in the seed trays, place them in a warm, sunny place or underneath grow lights if they are started indoors. The seeds need warmth to sprout and so the temperature should be kept in the range of 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit or 18-24 degrees Celsius.

Transplant and Monitor Step 7: Transplant and monitor

Look after seedlings as well as coverings to support them, once your seeds germinate and seedlings develop you will start observing increased growth. After it forms the first true leaves, you can think of transferring it to a bigger pot or directly planting it in the garden. Substitute some of the garden soil with a mixture of compost and soil when you are doing any transplanting.

Final Thoughts

Employing tiny portions of compost during the seed germination process is definitely a practical approach when it comes to growing your plants from the very beginning. As commendable as compost is, moderation will go a long way in producing healthy vigorous seedlings. By blending compost with other types of soil modifications and applying it sparingly, the seeds will be in an ideal setting for growth without overdoing it.

Be you a professional gardener or a novice, knowing how to utilize compost properly can greatly conserve time, effort and materials with the expected outcome being healthy and productive plants. Given the right care and a bit of compost, seeds will develop into healthy strong plants that will continue developing throughout the growing season.