How To Germinate Seeds Using Vermiculite

Vermiculite is a mineral that is prized in gardening for its lightness and aeration properties when added to soil mixes. Often used in commercial potting mixes and seed-starting soils, vermiculite is also available on its own from garden stores and nurseries. It works especially well for seed starting, as the lightweight material makes it easy for a small seedling to push through. Start seeds directly in vermiculite or mix up a seed-starting mix of your own.

Step 1

Fill seed-starting pots with vermiculite. Choose a fine grade of vermiculite or sieve standard grade vermiculite through a fine mesh and use the smallest particles for seed starting.

Step 2

Water the vermiculite until it is evenly moist. Plant seeds in the center of each pot to a depth twice that of the seeds' circumference.

Step 3

Cover the pots with plastic wrap to conserve the moisture in the the vermiculite as the seeds germinate. Place pots in a warm room until germination occurs.

Step 4

Remove plastic wrap once sprouts appear. Move the pots to a warm, sunny windowsill and keep the vermiculite moist.

Step 5

Apply a half-strength balanced liquid fertilizer to each seedling pot. Fertilize once a week until the plants are ready to be transplanted into new pots or outdoors.

Step 1

Mix 1 part vermiculite with 1 part peat moss and 1 part sterilized compost. Fill seed starting pots with the mixture.

Step 2

Moisten the potting soil then sow seeds to a depth twice their circumference. Cover each seed with vermiculite only instead of the potting mix, as vermiculite is lighter and easier for the seedling to break through.

Step 3

Cover the pot with plastic wrap and place in a warm room to germinate. Remove the plastic wrap once germination occurs and move to a warm, sunny windowsill.

Step 4

Fertilize with a half-strength liquid fertilizer two weeks after seedlings have emerged. Compost has enough nutrients to carry the seedlings through the first two weeks of life.