Start plants from seeds

This month and next is prime time for gardeners to try their hand at starting flowers and vegetables from seed. Seems like an easy, economical thing to do, right? Well, if you are new to the seed germinating business, why not consider a few tips before getting too involved?

Keep it clean: If you are sowing seeds in a sunny window or hobby greenhouse, please be aware that using the nicest, cleanest containers is crucial. This means start out with brand new prop flats or little plastic containers. You also want new, clean sterile seedling potting soil. Keeping it clean will prevent dating off diseases.

Keep it warm: Most annual and vegetable seeds like to germinate in a warm soil. Indoors, try using a little seedling mat or a bright light situated just above the prop flat. Outdoors, lay down a piece of clean, fresh row cover over the seed bed. This will warm up the soil, keep fit evenly moist and prevent cats, birds and other critters from scratching up the bed.

Mind the water: One of the most challenging things with starting plants from seed is knowing when and how much to water. Seed beds need to be kept evenly moist, like a damp sponge. If watered too much, seedlings damp off and drown. If left to dry out, they wither away. Just think of the soil as being a nice, moist sponge that does not shed too much water when squeezed. With indoor seed projects, try using one of those clear plastic propagation domes to keep moisture in and seed bed warm.

Light: Hooray, the seeds have sprouted. Now, the challenge is keeping them sturdy and short. Using a grow light a couple of inches above the seedlings will help keep them from stretching. Getting the seedlings outside to natural light can be tricky because of the weather. A small, hobby greenhouse is ideal for this. Or you can use a plastic prop tray dome that is extra tall. The trick is not to allow them become lanky.

Transplant: Most seedlings need to be transplanted to small pots within three to six weeks after sprouting, depending on variety. This is when it is best to have a sunny, sheltered area in the garden to accommodate them. Covering transplants with row cover at this time will keep them protected from wind, cold and any spring deluges that might come this way.