Seeds and seedlings
Getting a head start in planning and planting
By the end of March you might want to nail down a plan for what you are going to plant this year.
The next few months will fly by and before you know it, the cucumber seedlings will be sold out at the nurseries.
Buying seedlings at the nursery saves a lot of fuss. I certainly like to start a few seeds myself - for the money saved, and the fun of it. Space, however, is really the big issue so you have to think hard about which you really have room for.
Some seed packets provide too many seeds for one household, so you can find a few like-minded people and share around a couple of varieties. If one of you has bad luck, the others have the back-ups (and many seeds will keep until next year if stored in a cool dark space).
Make a list of what flowers and/or veggies you want to grow (the list keeps you from going overboard). Maybe try one or two new things. I usually choose one perennial flower (comes back every year) so that I gradually add to my perennial beds.
Read up on the best time for planting each one. Think of three general groups:
• The ones with big fruit are started indoors, or bought as transplants (start tomatoes, peppers in the late March/ April, cucumbers and zucchini in early May),
• Some are planted outside as early as the soil can be worked (potatoes, onions, cool-weather greens, some peas and broad beans) and
• Some do best when seeded right into the warming garden soil (string beans, carrots, beets). It’s all on the packages. Here are some helpful hints:
• Seedlings need lots of light for strong growth; a southfacing window is pretty much necessary.
• People often kill their plants with kindness! Overwatering and poor drainage is hard on seedlings. ‘Damping off’ is a disease that causes your tiny seedlings to just fall over if they’re too wet. The soil surface can be dry for a few days, as long as the soil feels a bit spongy, and you can feel the cool dampness below when you press your finger firmly into the soil.
• Or, there’s soil blocks. Press soil into a pot, and then tap the block of soil out into a tray, and plant the seed in the top of it. The roots stay within the soil block as they grow, and will not be as disturbed when transplanted.
• I don’t think the kind of starter soil is critical, but good quality soil gives a strong start.
• Do not fertilize seedlings, it is like giving too much sugar to kids. It never ends well.
• For some herbs (basil, coriander and dill), I start a few seeds early, and save the rest of the package to go directly into the garden when the soil warms.
• I reuse. I cut out the sides of 2 L plastic milk jugs to make great waterproof trays that fit on a narrow windowsill. People are always happy to pass along their used cell packs and pots that they buy plants in. Otherwise, putting drainage holes in little yogourt dishes works great.
You have to enjoy the journey if you want to start your own seedlings. Every year presents a new opportunity (and challenge). As long as you measure your success in the joy of watching the miracle of life unfold from the tiny seed, you’re all set.