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STARTING SEEDS INDOORS EXTENDS GARDENING SEASON
I placed my 2003 seed order envelope in the mailbox, ready at that very moment to begin planting seeds.
A week later, the order had not arrived. Another week went by, and still no order. Finally I called the company. Yes, they had received my order, adding that several of the items were on backorder.
"I take it then that you are trying to save postage by not shipping me a partial order of the seeds you do have in stock?" I asked. "Yes, I suspect that's what they are doing," the courteous person who answered my call replied.
"Well, please tell them..." I said, visualizing as I spoke a roomful of lowly clerks simply following a strict new cost-cutting policy to not ship any order until it's complete, "...tell them that I'm ready to begin planting my seeds and they should send me the items that are in stock."
Sometime during late winter, as the mid-day sun begins shining higher in the southern sky, we gardeners become a restless and impatient bunch. Time's a wastin'.
Depending on which plants you intend to germinate indoors, seed planting can begin as late as May 1 or as earlier as January. Now is not too early to start petunias, impatiens and geraniums. Some other annual flowers, and many vegetables such as tomatoes, beets, melons and pumpkins, can be started as late as April or early May. While many indoor seed starters have their secrets and special techniques, there is no one best way to start seeds indoors. There are, however, some proven techniques that will help you avoid problems.
Containers - Use only new or sterilized containers that have drain holes at the bottom. I start seeds in plastic seed-starting containers that I ordered several years ago from a manufacturer. To sterilize containers, soak in a 10% bleach solution (1 cup household chlorine bleach/9 cups water) for 15 minutes.
Planting Medium - Soil should be loose and finely textured, well-drained, low in nutrients, and sterile. I've had success with several mixtures. Most contain sphagnum peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, dolomitic limestone and (very important) a wetting agent.
Timing - There's a wide range in optimum starting dates for seeds, and the temptation is to start seeds too early - refer to seed packets for proper timing. Tuberous begonias can be started in January, marigolds in early March, and melons and squash in late April. The best way to know for sure is to keep a diary from year to year.
Light - For most plants, window light is not sufficient. I light seedlings 18 hours/day with fluorescent shop lights plugged to a timer. Hang lights so seedlings are within 4-6 inches of light tubes.
Temperature - Most seeds germinate best at 70-75 degrees and grow best at 65 degrees. I used to geminate seeds upstairs on our dining room table but it got rather crowded when we had dinner guests so now I use a south-facing window ledge in the basement. Once seeds have germinated, I uncover the containers and move them to basement tables under the fluorescent lights.
Water/Fertilizer - Water seedlings from below by placing containers in a pan of water. The wetting agent in the soil mix will wick up water from below to saturate the entire container. Remove containers when moisture shows on the surface. Since peat-moss soil contains few nutrients, a soluble fertilizer should be mixed with water according to label directions. Don't apply more fertilizer than is recommended.
Damping Off - This is a fungus disease that attacks seedlings, causing them to collapse and die. Sterile soil and sterile containers are the best protection.
Hardening - Seedlings are too fragile to withstand the shock of moving straight from under lights to outdoor wind and cool air. They should be acclimated gradually in their containers (hardening) by exposing to outdoor conditions in steps building up to all-day exposure.
For more information on starting seeds indoors, pick up the "Starting Garden Seed Indoors" bulletin from your county extension office or check the University of Minnesota extension website, www.extension.umn.edu.
The mail delivery truck just delivered my Friday mail and it didn't include my seed order. Of course, on this -18 degree day, spring still seems a season or two away.
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PUTTING DOWN ROOTS:
A Delightful Blend of
Gardening Wisdom, Wit
and Whimsy
$10 + $2 for shipping
by Cliff Johnson |
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