The seeds are planted in the ground, while the seedlings already sprout from the seed before planting.
The main difference between seeds and seedlings is that the seeds are planted in the ground for the growth of new plants and the seedlings are actually young plants, already sprouting from the seed. In general, the seeds are more suitable for planting indoors and the seedlings can be easily planted indoors or outdoors. Seedlings need to be “hardened off” before being fully planted outside, which can be seen as a gradual introduction to the harsh outside world. Seeds, on the other hand, are best germinated to create seedlings by wrapping them in a damp paper towel or seed tray indoors.
Small seeds can be pre-soaked overnight in layers of damp paper towels.
Gardeners generally have no problem distinguishing between seeds and seedlings because they look so different due to the different stages of their lives. The seeds are usually small and hard, usually brown or black in color. Seedlings are small plants, usually made up of a single stem that supports a few small leaves. Essentially, seeds are equivalent to the ovum inside a woman’s womb and seedlings are equivalent to a developing fetus. While the ingredients within them are essentially the same, they are at a different stage of development.
The seedlings have already sprouted.
Variations in plant care stem from the inherent differences between seeds and seedlings. For example, when growing a seed into a seedling, an indoor environment is preferable. This is because growing indoors gives the gardener more control over general environmental factors such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight. Seed germination can be done by placing the seed in the center of a damp paper towel or by planting it in soil using a seed tray. Seeds require more care during germination as they are susceptible to damage from various factors.
Where the seeds and seedlings should be grown varies depending on many factors, but seedlings generally do best outdoors. This gives them more access to sunlight and generally allows them to grow much larger. Before the seedlings are finally shipped, they must go through a process known as hardening off, which gradually introduces them to the outside world. This is done by taking the seedlings outside for much of the day and bringing them indoors at night. Indoors, plants are much safer from environmental factors, so a gradual introduction is necessary for a smooth transition.
An important difference between seeds and seedlings is that seeds benefit from being covered and seedlings often suffer from this. This is because covering the pots keeps the soil moist and generally provides a moist environment, which is good for the seeds. However, humidity is the ideal breeding ground for various types of fungi and aphids, which can damage seedlings. Once germinated, gardeners should remove the mulch to give the seedlings fresh air.
