Seed Starting

Late winter is the perfect time to start seeds indoor. You don’t need to have a greenhouse or green thumb: starting seeds are easy, fun and an economical way to get the plants you desire for your home garden. If you don’t have any experience, chances are your child has done this in school! All you need to start this project is good potting soil, containers and a spray bottle for watering and seeds!

Seed Starting Basics

To start your seeds indoors, you’ll need a potting soil mix (preferably a seed starting mix), containers for the seeds and whatever seeds you want to grow. Some seeds are best sowed directly in the ground in spring (sunflowers, for example) and others do better if just broadcast into the soil like California Poppies or wildflowers. Ideal seeds to start indoors are those hardy sun lovers like cucumbers, zucchini, pumpkins, corn or beans. Just about anything can serve as a container from egg cartons, plastic or clay pots just as long as it has drainage holes. Be “eco-thrifty” and creative!

Sowing the Seeds

Each seed packet comes with their own planting guidelines. Just follow those instructions, it’s that easy.

Fill the container to within 1/4 inch to the top with the potting soil. It helps to wet the soil first to settle the soil then using your finger, poke a small hole and drop the seed in cover lightly with more soil.

It is very important to keep the soil moist but not too wet. The type of seed you just sowed will determine how quickly it germinates. Don’t be surprised if it takes 2 weeks!

Hardening Off

The newly planted seeds will need to be exposed to light, perhaps a sunny window sill. Once the seedlings emerge, you’ll need to rotate them so the young plants don’t bend. After they have reached a desired height, they can be transplanted into a bigger container. Before planting them in the ground outside, they need to be gradually acclimated to outside temperatures. This procedure of setting plants outside is called hardening off. Up to this point, the seedlings have led a sheltered life! Move them to a shady location outside then bring indoors at night. Each day, move them into the sun, increasing the time spent in sunshine. Keep them well watered.

Transplanting

The hardening off period takes about a week. When you’re ready to transplant into the ground or raised bed, dig a hole about twice the size of the root ball, cover with soil and firm/press the soil all around. Water in well.

Voila! Instant Garden!

Debra Togliatti has her own gardening business: Weed It and Reap: Garden Restoration and Design and is a teacher who gets young children involved in gardening and nature experiences. She lives in the Bay Area of Northern California.

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