Seed Starting...Getting Started!

Well, it is finally that time…I got my hands dirty (with the help of my 3 ½ year old niece) and got my seeds started. Phew. This is my third season starting my own seeds, and I am a novice at best! Each year I do something a little different to improve upon last year’s crop.

So how does one start seeds? Well, first things first. Plan! Before starting your favorite seeds indoors, you must be certain that you have room outside to put them once they are ready! Another part of planning, is deciding which seeds to start and the best time to start them.

Once I’ve decided which seeds to start indoors (vs. what I am going to direct sow in the gardens in spring) I gather my supplies. Now you are probably thinking, do I need to buy seed starter trays, expensive grow lights, etc.? The answer is NO! I personally do use the multi-cell starter trays, but that is my own personal preference. However, once the seedlings need to be potted up, they go into containers I have collected over the years – food containers are fantastic – sour cream, ricotta cheese, yogurt…and the easy way to put holes in the bottom for drainage? A corkscrew. Yes, you read that correctly! I use an old broken corkscrew, gently pressing the point into the bottom of the “pots” to make multiple holes around the outer rim and a half dozen in the center. And if cared for properly, these containers last from year to year! I clean mine and store them in the garage, out of the sun. I also save pots from purchased plants! Just give everything a nice soak in a mild bleach solution! As for grow lights – I use 2 4’ shop lights – each with one soft white bulb and one cool white bulb. The mix of bulbs provides different wavelengths of light – totally acceptable for starting seeds.

I have found that using a soil-less starting mix works best for me. I pour a good amount into a small tub and gradually add water to moisten. It is important to not over water the mix. You want it to sort of stay together when you squeeze a handful of it. It shouldn’t clump or drip. A little on the drier side is best.

Once the mix is ready, I begin filling my containers, compressing it lightly, just to make sure that the container is filled. Then, with seeds in hand, I begin sowing! For very tiny seeds, I will put in a small pinch 3-5 seeds, in each square of a 72 cell flat. For larger seeds, such as those for Swiss chard, I place only one per cell. Just follow the directions for sowing depth, lightly cover with some more mix if the packet calls for it, place in a marker and you are done!

I cover my flats with the plastic domes they came with – but I’ve used cling-film in the past, anything that helps keep the containers moist. Then the trays go onto the grow stand (that I built the 3 seasons ago, and plan on adding one more light to the top) to germinate!

I write down everything in my Garden Journal and then I wait!

Here is a quick list of supplies, to help you get started!

1. Soil-less seed starting mix
   
2. Seeds
   
3. Containers
   
4. Plant markers (either store bought or popsicle sticks or plastic knives)
   
5. Plastic to cover
   
6. Warm place (some people use the top of the fridge!)
   
7. Light source (shop lights, grow lights, a nice WARM sunny windowsill!)
   

Give it a try! It can be so satisfying to watch the emerging seedlings, knowing in a few months you will have gorgeous and nutritious veggies from a small effort on your part and a few tiny seeds. Isn’t nature grand?

10 Days after planting!

Next time…I’ve got them sown, NOW what do I do??