Seeds and Seedlings: Getting Started

Do you start your own seeds? Would you like to learn how? Then read on.

Of course, you can buy your own transplants. That is easy to do. Instant plants. Instant garden. Or, I can provide you with some very practical guidelines so you can start your own seeds. Starting your own seeds provides you with more options for growing more varieties and is easy to do.

Location. First, select a place in your basement or an area where the day and night time temperatures are relatively constant. The area should be okay to get messy in case you spill some soil and splash water all over the place.

Containers. You will need something to hold the growing medium so almost anything will work—yogurt cups, margarine tubs, egg cartons, peat pots, and plastic cell packs. Place your containers in a carrier tray so your containers do not tip over and any excess water will not spill on the floor. Sterilize containers with a 1:10 bleach to water ratio. Rinse and you are done. I use plug trays. I can plant up to 512 seeds in a single 22” tray. Is this a little over the top for you? Use Jiffy pellets or peat pots. Plant one or two seeds in each pellet or pot and keep the strongest one. You can plant these right in the garden. No transplant shock. And generally, there is no need to transplant the seedlings into another, larger container.

Growing Medium. I use a sterile seed-starting mix. Do not use any soil from your yard or garden (pathogens, insect eggs, and other nasties). Do not use regular potting mix. It may contain fertilizers that could be too strong for the seeds to germinate. Starting mix is light, less likely to compact, and is perfect for germination. By the way, make sure you label what you plant in each container. You will never remember!

Temperature. Generally, I like to start my seeds in a warm environment. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, basil, parsley prefer warmer soil. Bottom heat is best and heat mats or cables are perfect. Once the seeds germinate, a cooler environment helps them grow stronger.

Moisture. You can mist the seedlings as they grow. You can water them from the top, but be careful that the “force” of the flow does not dislodge the seedlings. You can also water from the bottom, which promotes stronger root growth.

Light. Don’t even think about using your window for light. That is a sure-fire way to create spindly, weak transplants. Fluorescent lights are best. Grow lights are fine for any of you who are 1-percenters. For the rest of us, use one soft and one cool bulb in the fixture (a 4’ shop light is perfect and will accommodate two 22” carrier trays). I have used that arrangement for over 30 years and it works perfectly (and the bulbs are cheaper than gro-lights)! By the way, some flower seeds require light to germinate so you should sow the seed right on top of the soil. Do not cover them. Check your seed packet. Almost all veggies should be covered. However, flowers aside, your seeds do not require light to germinate. Once they sprout, turn on the lights for about 14-16 hours a day.

Fertilizing-Transplanting. As your seedlings grow, you can apply a water-soluble fertilizer at half the recommended strength once a week. Using fish emulsion is one organic alternative. Use it at half strength. If you used plug trays, for example, now is the time to transplant the seedlings into larger containers. I transplant my tomatoes at least three times before planting them in my garden. I may start with a plug tray, transplant them into a 2” container, then perhaps a 3” container. This is also the time that I set up a floor fan for about two to four hours each day. A light “breeze” helps the stems grow stronger and prepares them for outside. Some folks run their hand over the seedlings. I don’t. The oil on your hand can be a problem for some plants.

Hardening off. This is a process that gets your plants ready for the great big outdoors, with all that sunlight, wind, and fluctuating temperatures. On day one, I place them in a shaded area, out of the wind, for a few hours. Then on each subsequent day I gradually expose them to more and more sun and wind. If the weather looks nasty, bring them inside or in a protected area. A porch or your garage is great, especially if the nights get cooler.

What Seeds to buy? Start small. Start easy. What do you want to grow? Lettuces, kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, basils, marigolds, and sunflowers, for example, are easy to start. Peppers and parsley are easy, but can take up to 21 days to germinate. Read the instructions on the seed packet or in your seed catalog to see what you need to do for what seeds you want to start.

These guidelines should give you a great start. Do you want more information and to learn more? You are invited to attend my free inter-active class. Bring your questions. Did I mention it is a free class?

When and where? February 21st, from 6:30-8:00 at the Southdale YMCA, 7355 York Avenue, Edina.

Got Questions? Comments? Contact me on this blog.