Baby calamondin trees reaching for the light.

Growing trees from seed and watching them shoot for the sky is one of the most satisfying projects a gardener can undertake.

If you’ve already planted a good set of trees in your orchard or food forest, why not start filling in the edges with your own seedlings?

Sure… growing trees from seed takes “forever.” But the satisfaction of growing trees from seed is unbeatable. I have 4′ key lime trees out back that my daughter and I started from seed.

I just put them in a corner of my garden area and water as needed. And they grow… grow… grow.

This spring we started pecans from seed and planted a few out in the yard. We’ve done the same with loquats, pomegranates, peaches, various nitrogen-fixing trees, papaya, a plethora of citrus and even avocado and mangoes (which we keep in large pots to overwinter in the greenhouse.) Right now I’m attempting to germinate some American persimmon seeds. They’re sitting in a little flat of potting soil, exposed to the elements. This should give them the winter chill they need over upcoming months and send them through the earth sometime in the spring. If they fail… I’m out a few minutes planting time and the moments spent gathering overripe persimmons from the ground and squishing the seeds out. If they succeed, future generations can share in my success.

The cost of starting trees from seed is almost zero. And if you’re always planting the seeds from the fruit and nuts that come through your kitchen, the gradual result is that over time you have lots and lots of young trees you can plant out and share with others.

Plugging a few into vacant lots around your neighborhood isn’t a bad idea either. What’s the loss? 2 minutes of planting time?

Try starting a few. It’s addicting.

UPDATE: Check out my big post on growing trees from seed!

2019 UPDATE! Full presentation on growing trees from seed!