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Seed Starting

Tree Branch

Starting seed indoors is one of the the favorite activities for gardeners. After a long winter, it's our first step back into our favorite hobby. It's time to get up and get growing!

Needed Supplies:

  • Potting soil mix
  • Large flat trays
  • Trays with divided compartments
  • Plastic or peat pots
  • Fluorescent light
  • Shelves or stands
  • Misc. items: plastic wrap, pencil, hand shovel

It's important to use a quality seed starting mix. Unlike the soil from your garden, this seed starting mix will not compact into the container and will allow the roots to better establish themselves.

It is easier to start with a large flat container and use wood markers to separate the rows. Using this method, you can put a few seeds in each row and later "weed out" those that appear scrawny, leaving the healthier plants for moving into individual compartments.

You can start right into divided trays, but then you'll be better off by placing only one seed into each cell (rather tedious).

A fluorescent light will provide warmth that is needed for the plants to germinate. Have everything set up ahead of time. You'll need an area to put the seedlings while they germinate. A shelving unit will work fine if you can accommodate it with fluorescent lighting. We recommend using a seed starting unit that contains everything you'll need to get started.

When starting seed, be aware of the germination time and the outdoor planting time as these will differ depending on the type of plant and the area in which you live. The package label should have a guide to follow.

Sow the seeds as the package directs. No fancy tools needed! The eraser end of a pencil is very useful for making small holes for planting.

Label the different plants using wood or plastic markers.

Seedlings need moisture. You can provide this by covering the containers and placing them in a warm environment under fluorescent light. The optimal temperature for starting seed depends on what you are growing. Follow package recommendation.

If you are not using trays supplied with covers, use plastic wrap to make a cover. The plant markers will provide a tent structure.

The trays should be kept covered until the plants emerge, usually 2 weeks. At this time keep the trays uncovered.

Once the seedlings develop their first leaves, they can be moved into larger containers. Peat posts work best to minimize transplanting shock.  Gently remove the seedlings by holding the leaves and stem. Place them into the larger pot, and water well.

A few weeks before the garden is ready for the plants, begin introducing them to the outdoor environment. This is referred to as "hardening off". Place them outside for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the time. An outdoor box can be used for this process to protect the new plants from any critters. A box can be made using 2x4's. Attach a heavy weight plastic as a cover or use old storm windows that can be propped open, allowing air to circulate.

You can also buy a similar product for storing plants outside.

We enjoy swapping the plants that we start from seed with family and friends. By doing this we learn a lot about starting seed. What works and what doesn't. It helps us to evaluate the cause and effect and further improves the success for starting seed indoors.


Tree Branch

 

More Information:

Seed Starting Basics at the Gardener's Network





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