So you want to start your own plants from seeds, you
probably have several questions. How do I
start seeds? What seeds can I plant? Where do I plant them? All of these
are valid questions, especially for beginning gardeners. Here I will help you
discover the answers to those questions.
The Right Plants
Some things are best left to the professionals; planting
seeds, however, can be easily done at home. Try these to start: basil,
broccoli, cabbage, chives, leeks, lettuce, peppers, and tomatoes. Most flowers
are also easily grown from seeds or bulbs.
Where Do I Put These
Things?
Where are you putting the growing plants? Basement? Sunroom? Greenhouse? The
cooler the temperature, the earlier you’ll want to plant. The warmer the temperature,
the later you’ll want to plant. Heat promotes growth, while colder weather
delays it. I start my seeds (for spring planting) mid-to-late February, because
I keep them in the basement.
Proper Containers
Practically anything can be used as a container. Have a
broken teacup? It makes the perfect home for small plants. Egg shells?
Eggshells are great for planting seeds because they’re already nutrient-rich.
Feel guilty throwing out all those toilet paper rolls? Cut them in half and use
them as planters. Even newspaper can be rolled up and used as planters.
Good Soil Is Key
Finding a good soil is very important to seed growth. You
can use dirt straight from your garden, or you can purchase an organic variety
at any hardware store. Whatever you choose, make sure it is properly
fertilized. I like to throw broken egg shells into the soil before planting.
Watering
Keeping soil damp is very important. Young plants require
extra TLC. I keep a spray bottle near the young plants and every time the soil
feels a bit dry, spray directly at the soil. Try not to get the leaves wet, as
this will promote bacteria growth (especially without direct sunlight).
Space
Make sure your planters/pots are not crowded. Follow the
directions on the seed packet. When transplanting them to the garden, also make
sure there is enough space. Remember that the larger the plant, the more space
you will need. For example, peppers don’t require a lot of space because the
plant grows up. Tomatoes, on the other hand, need more space because they grow
up and out.
All Grown Up
When the seedlings are about 2-3 inches tall, it’s time to
transplant them to the garden. I like to leave my planters outside for a few
days and overnight (up to 1 week) to get them accustomed to the outdoors. This has
been a trick of the trade of gardeners for generations.
-CJ LaRose, Senior Supervisor
