By Bob Mulvaney, Master Gardener
While we are still in
the grip of winter, why not get some of your summer vegetables started so they
are ready to go outdoors when the weather warms up? Why you may ask, should I do this? Why not just buy seedlings from my local
nursery to transplant?
Well, if you want
earlier harvests, greater variety, stronger and healthier seedlings, to save
money and more satisfaction and enjoyment, then read some more.
Choosing Your Seeds
Locate and peruse
almost any of the seed catalogs which are available to the public. Try different varieties of tomatoes, peppers,
or squash, which seem intriguing to you.
This is a good time to
try something you have never had before in the garden. If you cannot locate a seed catalog, go to
your local nursery and purchase your seeds.
Most nurseries provide many more different varieties of seeds than they
do vegetable transplants.
Containers and Soil
You can also purchase
seedling trays at you local garden center, but why not recycle your own
containers. Egg and milk cartons,
disposable aluminum pans, yogurt containers, peat pots, and/or pellets will all
work. Remember to clean them well by
using a 9-1 part solution of water (9 parts) to chlorine bleach (1 part) to
sanitize your containers.
Your potting medium can
be store bought (look for seed starting mix) but you can also make your own
using equal parts of commercial potting soil, perlite and/or vermiculite, and
peat moss (make sure it is completely moistened). This will generally be cheaper especially if
you are planning a large garden.
Getting Your Seeds Started
Timing is very
important when starting your seeds indoors.
Knowing the last expected date of frost in your area is crucial. For those of you living in
Your Seed Sowing Checklist
Gather Your Equipment - Find, buy, or collect your
containers, planting mix, seeds, watering can, labels, and markers (for
labeling).
Prepare a Work Space - Choose a spot which allows you to
spread out.
Review Your Seed
Packets -
Review the information on the seed packets.
Note things such as days to germination.
Prepare your labels before you sow, particularly if you are doing a
number of varieties of the same vegetable.
Labels can be popsicle sticks or store bought. The important thing to remember is to label
all your planting containers.
Prepare Your
Containers -
Put your planting medium into your containers.
Make sure the medium is pre-soaked, but not real wet. Prepare the Seeds - Pre-soaking may be
necessary for some seeds. Tomato,
celery, parsley, and beans can be soaked for a few hours prior to
planting. Some seeds, like Morning
Glories and
Plant the Seeds - If you are using small
containers, two seeds per container is suggested. The weaker of the two seedlings can be pulled
out later. If you are sowing in flats,
either scattering or rows will work.
Cover the Seeds - Cover the seeds with a fine layer
of planting medium. The general rule is
to cover the seeds to a depth of three times their size. Seeds which should not be covered with soil
should be noted on the seed packet instructions. Lightly compact the covering soil so the
seeds have soil all around them, which will help insure good germination.
Cover and Set in a
Warm Place - Use a plastic sheet or bag and
set your containers in an area that receives warm but not hot temperatures.
Factors That Influence Germination
The condition of the
seed, water, air temperature, light, and soil conditions effect the germination
of your seeds.
Water - First, water softens the seed
coat so the root can emerge easily. Then
it combines with stored food to form soluble forms of nourishment for the
seed. As a general rule, keep your
medium moist but not overly wet.
Temperature - In general, seeds need warmer
temperatures to germinate than they will later need when they grow into
plants. Extremes of heat and cold
inhibit germination of most kinds of seeds.
The most favorable germinating temperature for vegetable seeds started
indoors is between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Remember that is soil temperature. A soil heating cable has been most helpful to
me in maintaining a constant soil temperature to aid the germination process.
Light - Most vegetable seeds are
indifferent to the amount of light they receive during germination. Your seed packet instructions should inform
you if this is not the case.
Light - As soon as the seeds have
germinated, they must be given adequate light either from a fluorescent tube or
from the sun by way of a house, greenhouse, or cold-frame.
Artificial Light - Reports of results from growing
plants under fluorescent light at the
·
Plants
do well under a variety of tube combinations
·
Special
plant-raising tubes are not necessary for starting plants.
·
Best
results are often obtained by mixing tube colors. For example, using one warm and one cool tube
in each fixture.
If possible, use a 48
inch fixture with at least 2 tubes of 40 watts and a reflector attached to the
fixture. Remember, seedlings generally
need more intense light than mature plants.
Keep your seedlings close to your light source, 2-3 inches. Raise your light as the seedlings grow. Plan on having your light on for 16 hours per
day. An automatic timer will assist in
this process.
For those of you who do
not want the expense of artificial lighting, find a sunny corner in a garage,
barn, or outbuilding where your seedlings will get a substantial amount of
sunlight.
How to Water and Fertilize Your Seedlings
Use tepid water on
seedlings. If your water is chlorinated,
let it stand overnight with as much surface as possible exposed to air, (e.g.,
in a bucket or dishpan). Do not use soft
water. It contains potentially toxic
amounts of sodium. Try to water your
seedlings from the bottom. This practice
discourages excessive dampness that can cause dampening off disease.
Do not fertilize your
seedlings until they have formed their true leaves. I have found that diluted fish emulsion works
very well. Try one tablespoon per gallon
of water.
Finally, try and
maintain a humid environment for your seedlings. Use plastic over the containers or place the
plant in waterproof containers holding 1 inch of pebbles with ˝ inch of water.
Moving Your Plants Outdoors
Assuming you have
prepared your garden site and are ready to plant out, it is important how you
prepare your tender seedlings to enter the cold, hard world.
First, be sure that the
last expected date of frost has passed in your area. Then a week or so before that date, water
less and do not fertilize your seedlings.
Young transplants are
very sensitive to direct sunlight. Begin
with a few hours of filtered sun.
Gradually increase the amount of sunlight until, at the end of a week or
ten days, the seedling is able to take a full day of sunlight.
Monitor your seedlings
closely as they may need more watering.
At the end of this period, your little seedlings will be ready to grow
and produce a bounty of vegetables for you, your family, and friends. It is time to transplant them into your
garden.