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What To Start From Seed:
Herbs, vegetables, annuals, perennials, and wildflowers can all
be grown from seed in your own home. It's a very satisfying and
economical late winter past time. It is also a great family activity
that triggers a sense of wonder in children. The diversity of nature
is particularly evident in this process because different seed varieties
require different amounts of time to germinate and grow before taking
them outdoors to plant in the garden. Some even need special pre-treatment
before sowing like chilling, nicking the seed coat with a sharp
knife, or soaking overnight. Just as all people are different, so
are seeds. Read the back of each seed package carefully to learn
its' particular preferences.
How To Start Seeds:
The first step is to know when to start your seeds indoors. This
information is clearly indicated on the package. If you start too
early they'll become tall, leggy, and rootbound before they can
be planted in the garden. Other seeds if started too late will have
a lot of catching up to do in the garden. Remember that perennials
started from seed shouldn't be expected to bloom until their second
year.
Growing Containers:
You will need something to grow your seeds in. One of the easiest
methods is to use a Parkwood™ Mini-Greenhouse Kit that consists
of a drainage tray, plastic cellpak inserts, and a clear humidome
cover. Or there are Jiffy Peat Pellets that are soaked in water
until they have expanded to seven times their size. Each Jiffy pellet
becomes a small growing sack with peat soil large enough for sowing
two to three seeds. The advantage of Jiffy pellets is that you plant
the seedling in its Jiffy right into the garden in spring so there
isn't any root disturbance. This is also true of individual peat
pots and peat cellpacks that are biodegradable. When you don't have
to pull a plant out of its growing container, there's virtually
no shock to sensitive roots and they take off quickly without sulking.
All these supplies and more are available at your nearest Sheridan
Nurseries Garden Centre.
Soil:
The second item you will require is a soil that's just for seed
starting. Choose a soiless mix or Pro-mix™, these soils are
very light allowing fragile young roots to grow easily. They also
allow easy air penetration and they're sterilized to eliminate insects
and disease. Don't use topsoil, triple mix, or houseplant soil.
The first two aren't sterilized and the latter is too heavy a mixture.
To ensure young seedlings won't succumb to a fungus disease called
"damping off" (caused by too much humidity and poor air
circulation) treat the soil at the time of planting with the liquid
fungicide No-Damp™. Simply dilute according to the directions
and water in.When you're ready to start your seeds, it's a good
idea to slit open the top of the bag of soil, add some water, and
let it stand overnight. Otherwise, the soil is so dry it's like
dust. Fill your plastic or peat cellpacks or pots with the pre-moistened
soil and spread two or three seeds over the surface of each compartment
or pot. Lightly cover the seeds with more soil or, if specified
on the package, leave the seeds exposed to direct light. Set your
cellpacks or pots into a drainage tray. The Parkwood™ Mini-greenhouse
has a plastic cover that can be put over the drainage tray. Don't
snap it onto this tray. Rather, leave a small gap for air circulation.
This is left on until the plants touch the cover, then it's permanently
removed.
Light:
All seeds want to grow in warmth, especially bottom heat from being
placed on a refrigerator or radiator, with natural bright light
or under lamps that are kept 15 cm (6") above your seed flats.
Be sure to identify what's sown in each flat by writing on seedling
labels with a permanent marker like a Sharpie™ pen. You'll
need several labels if there's more than one variety in a flat.
Water:
Don't allow your seedlings to dry out. Water them from a mister
bottle when the soil surface is dry. Watering with a watering can
gives too forceful a spray and will probably dislodge the seedlings
and the soil.
Planting Your Seedlings In The Garden:
To plant young seedlings outdoors, you need to "harden"
them off to ensure they can withstand fluctuating temperatures and
wind. A week ahead of the May 24 weekend, place the trays outside
in light shade for a few hours each day, bringing them back in at
night. Each day move them into a bit more light until they're finally
in full sun. If you put the flats in direct sun, the foliage burns
and the leaves will have to be plucked off. To minimize transplant
shock at the time of planting, use Parkwood™ Transplanter 5-15-5
as directed. Some seedlings can tolerate frost and can be planted
earlier than May 24. These seedling will have the earlier transplanting
date on the seed package.
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