Tending the Seedlings

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Spring Attention:

It is important to start checking your plantings in early spring. When the seeds start to sprout, remove the leaves that served as a winter blanket, or the seedlings will rot or become misshapen. Being that the ‘leaf blanket’ also held moisture in, you should start watering regularly. This is especially important with small seeds that are close to the surface of the soil.

Sycamore seedlings have very shallow roots, so they need to be watered regularly.

Sycamore seedlings have very shallow roots, so they need to be watered regularly.

Some seedlings will invariably catch on the protective mesh and start to grow sideways. A large crochet hook is a great way to guide the little shoots up through the right hole. Do not remove the mesh because the critters will eat the seeds even after they’ve sprouted. They will also root around in the soft soil, uprooting seedlings in the process.   

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Germination Rate

Two buckets with markedly different germination outcomes. Both were planted with the same number of seeds, from the same ‘mother tree’, yet one had great germination and the other did not… No idea why.

Typically, the germination rate per bucket is between 5 and 20 seedlings. Some years your germination rate will be great, and others not-so-much, as evidenced by the Dawn Redwoods in the accompanying picture.

Never get discouraged, even if you only have a few seedlings to give away… Even one seedling makes the world a better place.

If your germination rate is low overall, check your soil. It must be loose and loamy, and well drained.

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Summer and Fall Attention:

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Water the seedlings regularly as the spring rains subside. Check the moisture content in the soil with a finger... sometimes you think there's been enough rainfall but the soil can be surprisingly dry upon tactile inspection.

Late in the summer, it's good to rock the buckets to see if any roots have grown through the drain holes and into the underlying soil. They'll snap off with the rocking, which is good because, if they develop further, they can solidly anchor the bucket to the ground.

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Fall and Winter Attention:

Seeds and Seedlings:
Pile leaves around the sides of the buckets, to insulate the soil against the winter cold. A sprinkling of leaves on top are good too. Check periodically, to see if the leaves have settled. If so, add more, or fluff up the ones that are there.

Prep for Giveaway:
This is a good time to prep plastic bags* for spring giveaway:
• Sort the bags according to size.
• Check for holes, tying a knot above holes to make the bag watertight.
• Make two 3” slits in the top, creating tabs that will be tied together to
hold the seedling in the bag.

*Bags from newspapers, mailbox ads, loaves of bread, etc.