Seeding
For many of you it’s fun to get a head start on the upcoming garden season by starting seedlings indoors. Sometimes, growing your own may be the only way to obtain the new or special variety you want.
A soil-less potting mix is best for germinating seeds. These mixes are made from peat and vermiculite or perlite and are mediums that are sterile and drain well. Using garden soil increases the likelihood of damping-off diseases that attack seedlings and should therefore be avoided. Look for soil mixes with terms like germination mix, plug mix, and starter mix.
Various containers can be used to germinate and grow transplants. Previously used flats, trays, and pots should be cleaned and disinfected before use. Wash and disinfect them in a solution of one part bleach and nine parts water.
When sowing seeds in flats, fill the containers with the growing medium to within 2 cm of the top, firm the medium and seed thinly, cover the seed only enough to make it disappear from view, rule of thumb is 2x their diameter, and water thoroughly. Cover the container with clear plastic and put in a warm place. Remove the plastic as soon germination occurs.
Once the seeds have germinated, move the seedlings to an area with slighter cooler temperatures and direct sun. Transplant the seedlings into individual containers when the first true leaves appear. To avoid leggy plants, supplement natural light available through windows by hanging one or two fluorescent light fixtures about six inches above the seedlings. As the plants grow, raise the fixtures. A mix of cool white and warm white bulbs will provide the right quality of light for plant growth. Or, you can also use grow lights.
Water your seedlings well before and after transplanting. Seedlings growing in soilless mixes need to be fertilized when the first true leaves appear. Feed at every other watering with a water-soluble starter fertilizer to encourage good roots and healthy growth.
Lori
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