Getting Ahead of the Game: In 7 easy steps

In most U.S. temperate climates, early March means it’s time to setup your seed-starting arsenal. It’s time to start your indoor sowing, so that your little beauties will be ready for transplant. This is recommended for plants that require long periods of time to mature, and fare well with this method (review seed packet for growing recommendations). Sowing indoors also gives you an advantage so that flowers which assist with pest control are closer to their time of bloom, when outdoor transplantation arrives.

By now, many of you may have made purchases to build your gardening inventory. If you are still unsure of what garden arrangement you want, click here for more guidance. We are now in the midst of seed-selling season, and a time in which many big box/chain stores, catalog seed and gardening companies, and online nursery and seed retailers have continuous sales promotions. Be sure to secure your seeds as soon as possible. Local nurseries are also a great option.

If you have a neighbor or family member that gardens, you may even make a request for some of their supply or negotiate an exchange. Seeds are often purchased in lots of 50, 100, 300, etc. Unless you are planting a field, there are often leftovers. Another option is to form a modified co-op. In this case maybe your small group comes to an agreement on growing materials and plant care, which each of you will use in your individual gardens. However, maybe you grow the squash, and Katie grows the beans, Robert the peppers, etc. You can divide your harvests however you agree upon. Whatever you select, just make certain that it is a plant that will grow well in your region and selected space.

Here are a few online links to help you get started on your shopping list.

1. Create a planting schedule, keeping in mind what your estimated last frost date is, and considering whether there are seeds you want to include in succession planting. Read your seed packets for growing information that states recommended timeframe for indoor and direct sowing.

2. Be certain to label the seeds correctly, and to water carefully, so as not to wash away your seeds. Once planted, I usually mist the seed-starting potting mix, coir or peat seed-starting pellets/blend with a spray bottle to keep moist. As your seedlings grow, you can water from the bottom, by adding ~ 1/4 in of water to the water collection trays, and allowing about 15 minutes for the soil to absorb the water. Pour off any excess.

3. If you are using seed starting kits that have plastic domes or covers, use them. It will help retain the moisture and warmth seeds need to germinate. If there is too much condensation, you can temporarily remove or vent them (domes with vents are recommended). If they appear to be drying, mist to add more water. These kits are like very miniature greenhouses. The covers are not necessary, but helpful. If you are using an alternate setup, you can cover whatever container you have sown your seeds in with plastic wrap for similar effect. Once most of your seeds germinate, you should remove the plastic cover, so you don’t impede your seedlings’ growth. Also you do not want them exposed to too high of a temperature during the day, under that dome/cover. Most seeds require temperatures of at least 65-75 degrees or so to germinate. Keeping the room temperature within this range or using heating mats (game-changers) will help with germination.

4. If your seeds have not germinated, don’t panic. First, be certain that you keep record of the average germination period and the date you planted your seeds. Your seeds may still be within that timeframe. Another workaround for this is to sow more cells than the number of plants that you need. For example, if my garden plan is to include two bell pepper plants, I might sow about 2 seeds each, in at least 3-4 cells or starter containers. If you are about one week beyond the germination window, you should sow more seeds and monitor and modify conditions to achieve the warm temperatures and moderate moisture for better odds at seed germination.

5. This next part might be hard for some of you…Once your seedlings are about 2-3 inches high (should have 2-3 pairs of true leaves), like in The Highlander, “There can be only one.” You need someone on your team who is okay with herbicide. Thin each cell or plot of seeds, so that only one seedling remains in each of these areas. It is best to do this by cutting the unwanted seedlings at the soil line.

6. Inspect your seedlings. Has the main stem grown thin and very long, floppy? If so, you may have a “leggy” seedling. It has grown this way due to insufficient light and expends much of its energy attempting to acquire more. “Leggy” seedlings may still be salvageable, but must be handled with extra special care to avoid damaging their stems. First, see if you can adjust the plant location and lighting situation. I once read somewhere that exposing these seedlings to winds from a low-setting fan may aid in toughening their stems and making them more resilient to future outdoor winds. This, I have not trialed. I have had “leggy” seedlings and have relocated/repositioned them and/or sown “backups.” Some of you may wish to just start over in a more ideal location or start with grow lights, plugged into timer units for 8-12 hours of light each. Grow lights can be game-changers. If you are working with a larger budget, there are great LED shelf and lighting systems available with retailers, such as gardeners.com.

7. You may continue caring for your seedlings by monitoring and adjusting light, position and watering as indicated. There is not much else to do with them until about 4 weeks after germination, when you may want to provide them with diluted plant food (half strength water-soluble plant food/fertilizer). We’ll address that when the time draws near. In the meanwhile, shop your items for your own personal garden “toolkit”. You will at least need to have your chosen plant food/fertilizer and maybe slightly larger growing space (3-4 inch pots) during the second month.

Okay, fellow gardeners. Good luck with your mission. Contact us if you need some support. Please, share some pics of your setup and seedlings. What are you planting this season? What does your garden routine look like? Let us know. Enjoy the journey!