Seed Starting for Spring Planting 2016

Seed Starting

There are several reasons gardeners like to use seed starting as a part of their gardening routine, it will lengthen your growing season, gives you a greater choice of plant varieties, saves money and its fun.
It has become much easier to find just about any seed you want; if they are not here at Lowe’s there are companies on line that can fill your seed needs.

Starting Seeds for the Best Result

Seeds need air, water and light. It’s that simple. The seed packets will supply you with essential information, seed depth, spacing and germination timing. Here are a few more important items for healthy seedlings.

* If you are using recycled containers make sure to clean them with a 1 to 10 mixture of water and bleach
* Growing medium; use seed starting soils, or peat pellets; garden soils and native soils are way too heavy for good germination,   and they are free of disease and other issues inhibiting success
* Water with a mister until the first sprout appears, then water gently
* Using a seed starting tray is a great way to keep the moisture level correct, it’s much easier
* Use a heat mat until the seeds emerge and start to grow, and then remove it

Planting seedlings in the garden
* Once the seedlings put on multi leaves the first leaves will drop off, this is normal
* Before planting you need to harden-off your plants – this is a gradual acclimatization over a period of 7 to 10 days
* Set plants outside in partial shady spot for 2 to 3 hours a day, make sure to bring in at nigh
* Be careful not to disturb the roots, they are growing fast making them very tender
* Once planted protect them from wind until they get larger – stake, cover or screen until they begin to put on size   

Sowing Seeds directly into the ground

Because we live in what is classified as a short growing season sowing seeds directly into the ground has challenges, the exceptions are cool season varieties. Most cool season varieties can germinate when the soil is as cool as low as 40°; or 2 to 3 weeks before the last frost, check the package for the specific directions. The second issue is watering; the soil needs to stay moist, which means daily monitoring.
Work organic matter into the soil a week or so before you plant. This will allow the organic material to start to break down, enriching the soil for a healthy crop.
When the day has come to plant your seeds, work the soil again. For root crops such as carrots make sure the soil is loose 8 to 12 inches deep and make sure it drains well; this will ensure you don’t end up with stubby carrots