Starting Seeds for the Garden - 3
Once the seeds are planted they need the right amounts of heat, light and water for a good rate of germination.
All that is left is to cover the seeds lightly with more of the planting mix and water them in lightly. If you have seeds that do not like to be covered and need light to germinate, do not cover them. This is the time that bottom watering is good. It keeps seeds from moving around.
This is my simple and fairly crude lighting system for plants. One of these days I need to expand it and make it a little prettier but this is out in the garage and utilitarian is fine. At the moment it has one set of flourescent shop lights on a timer and a heating pad to provide warmth for the seedlings. If you do not have a heating pad, the top of the refridgerator works well until the seedlings are up. After that they need light.The lights are attached to boards and sit across blocks.
The seed tray rests on the pad and sits under the lights. The lights are not needed on by most seeds but some require light for germination. All the seedlings will want light when they germinate. I use a humidity dome which keeps the seedlings moist and warm in a cold room.
Another look with the grow lights off. I am just using regular flourescents in the system rather than expensive grow bulbs. They are not needed except for the purpose of developing blooms.