SEED STARTING

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SEED STARTING

 

Starting seeds is not difficult if you follow a few tips.

First, don't use leftover potting soil or dirt from the

garden. Regular soil is much too heavy and it may

carry disease. I use a sterile seed starting mix with

good success. The mixes are sterile and don't contain

soil.I have used peat pellets, and peat pots too. The

mixes are sterile and don't contain soil. All the supplies

you use during the sowing process should be cleaned

beforehand. I know this seems a bit much for starting

simple garden seeds, but it pays off in the long run!

 

I use a seed starting mix with no fertilizer added, and

later when the seeds have sprouted I use an organic

fertilizer. To start things out, I dump the mix into a bowl

and add water until it's moistened, but not soaked. I

use an old spoon to fill my pots. I follow the directions

for sowing each seed, grouping them together by the

needs. (some need darkness, or extra warmth etc.) I

also mark the pot with wooden sticks and place them

in a sunny window or warm location, depending on

what they need. I cover the pots with plastic or place

them in containers with a plastic lid. Check daily to

make sure they are still moist. If they do get dry you

can spritz with water, but never soak the soil. When

the seeds germinate I remove the plastic and place in

a sunny window.

 

Eggshells are always shown for seed starting but they

are really too small to work well. Growing grass for an

Easter or Spring project is neat thing to do with kids in

egg shells, but for starting your garden seeds you need

something that is at least 3 inches deep. I like using the

peat pots for seeds that are finicky and plants that don't

like to be transplanted. If you do use these, be sure to

plant the entire pot in the soil with NONE of it sticking out.

It will act like a wick of sorts and just keep drying out.

You can even rip part of the top of the peat pot off and

throw it in the compost pile, then cover the plant when

transplanting.

 

Next we'll discuss damping off, a disease that can kill

your new seedlings and tips to help avoid disaster.

 

MORE TIPS: Spring cleaning in your garden!

http://www.oldfashionedliving.com/spring.html