Newsletter1

Naturally the first tip to address would be getting your seeds started
off right. Now is the time for the northern half of the country to get
started planting seeds indoors. Ordering your seeds through a catalog is
fine, but if you don’t want to wait, you can get seeds at your local
home center, most hardware stores and most discount department stores.
Usually the rule is, “you get what you pay for”, but keep in mind that
there are certain standards that all seed companies have to adhere to,
such as the all-important germination rates. These are the average
percentage of seed that should bloom per 100 seeds. Most cheaper seeds
have a germination rate of around 60%, and more expensive packets around
80%. But, keep in mind that you can plant more cheap seeds and get a
great germination rate for half or less the price than some name brand
seeds. After having purchased a variety of brands, I can only say that I
have been very satisfied with the cheaper seeds.

As for the type of soil that should be used, you can purchase seed
starting medium and use that by itself or use 1 part top soil to 2 parts
vermiculite and sphagnum moss. No need to add fertilizer-you don’t want
to burn the new roots. I’ve heard that you should not use topsoil as it
may contain germs that will kill emerging seedlings, but I have never
had a problem. The alternative is to cook it in your oven to sterilize
it, but it stinks horribly and I don’t recommend it!

I find the best way to start seeds is to use seed trays without the peat
pots. Peat pots dry out quickly and get moldy. Most seed packets tell
you how deeply to plant the seeds, but if it doesn’t, the general rule
is twice as deep as the seed is around. This can mean setting the seeds
on top of the soil and lightly dusting them with your planting medium
till you can barely see them. Some seeds do not get covered at all; they
need light to germinate and therefore are lightly pressed into the soil.
Most seeds do not require light though. Plant your seeds in rows or
scatter them in your seed tray, but space them evenly so when it comes
to transplanting time each seedling will have enough soil around it‘s
roots so it will not be disturbed, which will add to the shock of
transplanting or kill it altogether. Do not soak the dirt so it is
soggy, either set the whole tray in about 1/4 inch of water and let it
soak the water from the bottom up, removing the tray as soon as you see
the top of the soil is wet, or use a mister bottle and mist the top of
the soil well. Don’t over water as this can cause damping-off disease
which rots the newly formed stems of seedlings and kills them before
they even have a chance. Set the entire tray in a plastic garbage bag
(the clear 13 gallon kitchen size work well) and fold the bag closed
under the tray. The seeds need the constant moisture and slight air
circulation to germinate.

Some seeds germinate quickly, in a few days. Some seeds take 2-3 weeks.
Be patient. You’ve done all you can; now nature will take its course.
Some extra advise: not all seeds should be started indoors, and not all
seeds that say “start indoors 8-10 weeks early” need to be started
indoors. I have tried 100’s of seeds directly outside after I think I’ve
had the last frost (call your local cooperative extension for your own
estimated last frost date) I’ve found that since I don’t mind when my
plants bloom, I can wait until July for my spring-blooming flowers.
(Exception: some flowers take a very long time from planting to
blooming, so those would have to still be started indoors.)

Once seeds have begun to emerge, take the tray out of the bag, keep the
soil moist, but not wet, at all times, and give them 12-14 hours of
light from a plant light or long fluorescent shop light. Keep the light
just above the seedlings so they do not have to stretch to get light,
and as they get taller, raise the light higher and higher so it is
always a couple inches above the plants.

That should take you through until my next newsletter, which will be
about transplanting, hardening off, and finally, putting them outside in
their permanent spot. Happy Growing!

DBS