Seed Starting Made Easy
Cabin
fever got you down yet? The bears aren’t
the only ones hibernating now; our garden is taking a well-deserved nap as
well. Too bad the deer aren’t, you are
probably thinking, as you are watching them make a buffet out of your pansies!
Fortunately,
this time of year is when we receive our plant and seed catalogs. It’s always fun to leaf through the colorful
pages and daydream of your garden-to-be (and practice pronouncing the names of
those plants you have never heard of!). Have you ever wanted to try a new and funky
variety of plant or vegetable, but end up planting the ol’ tried and true? Consider starting your own plants from seed. Seed starting takes a minimum of expense and
effort, and will give you the gratification of knowing that tasty tomato or
gorgeous flower was raised by you!
First,
you will need to determine which plant varieties will need to be germinated
inside and transplanted later into the garden, and which can be sown directly
in the ground after frost has passed.
Quite a few varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers grow so fast and
easy that there is no need to start them early inside. Some of them lend themselves to multiple
sowings in our fair climate for continuous bloom and flower production till
next frost! Just always remember to wait
to sow until the soil is warm in late spring, or the soil will be too wet and
cold for proper germination. After seeds
sprout, thin the seedlings as recommended on the seed packets to give your
plants elbowroom to grow. This will
result in healthier, stockier plants.
Cut them with scissors or clippers, as pulling them will disturb the
roots of the plants beside them.
If
you are going to start seed inside, check the recommendation for weeks to
transplant and days to maturity to determine when they should be started. So, where to begin? Start by using clean plastic seed starting
trays, cell packs or peat pots filled with new, sterile soilless potting
mix. Never use garden soil or old
potting soil, as this is too heavy and/or may contain bacteria or pesky
critters that can kill your new seedlings.
Sow to the depth recommended. If
your seeds are tiny, mix them with fine sand and sprinkle across the top of the
soil.
The
next step is to remember to keep your flats evenly moist (not soggy) and
warm. Water your plants from the bottom
by setting in a tray of tepid water. Do
not let them sit in water for more than an hour or so, then let them
drain. Watering from the top can wash
the soil away from the seed or the roots of new sprouts, as well as puddling
and causing damping-off fungus. To
maintain humidity level, set them on a tray of clean pebbles partially filled
with water, or simply cover with clear plastic.
Do not completely seal; air circulation will prevent mold.
As
you watch your plants grow, it is a good idea to keep a small oscillating fan
nearby to promote air circulation. They
will grow best at temperatures between 60 to 70 degrees during the day and
about 10 degrees cooler at night. If
your “babies” are outgrowing their shallow containers, transplant them gently,
using the same potting mix used for germination. Start giving them a weak, all-purpose
fertilizer at only ¼ the strength recommended, and remember to water from the
bottom.
When
planting time comes, it is time to “harden off” your plants so they are slowly
able to adjust to the outside world.
Quit fertilizing and cut back on the amount of water for about a week
ahead of time. Set plants in a sheltered
spot outside for ½ day or so when temperatures are above 50 degrees. For about another week, constantly increase
the amount of time outdoors and light exposure, and remember to keep them
watered to avoid drying out. That’s
it! Now you are ready to set them in
their permanent homes. Plant them in the
garden on a cloudy, windless day to avoid transplant shock. Water them in well and give them their
vitamins on a regular basis.
If
you have children around, be sure to include them in the seed-starting project
from start to finish. Children love to
be taught that they too can make something grow with their own little
hands. Everyone involved will have a
sense of pride and accomplishment watching their “babies” thrive in their new
garden homes. Make your February
dreaming a reality, so the next time a friend asks, “Where did you get those
gorgeous plants?” you can now say, “I grew them myself!”
Dawn
Leith
Durham
Garden Center