Dear Rodney,
I would really like to get a jump on my garden this year and I am thinking of starting my garden from seed rather than buying transplants. Do you have any tips?
Thank you, Chris
Chris, there are many reasons to start with seeds including being able to use heirloom seeds, getting the jump on pests, and harvesting an early bounty. Buying seed will also give you the opportunity to grow plants that you would not typically find at a retail garden center.
If you start from seed, be sure to start out with quality, fresh seed. Older seed are less likely to germinate. Quality seed from good vendors have a wealth of information on the package. If there is no information on when and how deep to plant, proper spacing in the garden, or days to production you should choose another seed package. Seed labels will also tell you if those seed can be started inside in a pot or need to be directly sown into the garden.
It is easiest to start seeds in cell flats or small containers in a flat tray. The containers should be filled with a sterile seed starting mix that contains either peat or vermiculite to reduce the introduction of a pest or disease. The starting mix should be moistened prior to planting your seeds and should be monitored during growth to keep it moist but not wet (soggy). Planting in small containers with good drainage, inside a tray will allow you to monitor the moisture easily in addition to ease of relocating your seedlings. After the initial watering you may have to add additional mix and sprinkle it with water.
Plants need light to grow, especially seedlings, usually 12 to 16 hours to avoid thin, lanky plants. Do not leave the lights on continually as many seeds need a period of darkness to germinate. Sunlight from a south facing window will help provide light but a grow light with a timer works best. The light should be within 2 inches of the new pots and should be raised only as the plants grow. Your young plants should not be any colder than 60 degrees and here, temperatures in south facing windows can get too hot so temperatures in windows need to be monitored. Use of a heated seed mat under the trays can aid germination.
Too many seedlings in one pot allows roots to grow together and can cause damage when transplanting. Plant fewer seeds per pot and thin the new plants as necessary.
If you are starting outdoors use a clear plastic dome or covering that will fit over trays of plants to allow light in, but help keep moisture from escaping. This can also help retain heat in the root zone. Be sure to monitor plant growth to prevent the young plants from touching the plastic.
Too many seedlings in one pot allows roots to grow together and can cause damage when transplanting. Plant fewer seeds per pot and thin the new plants as necessary.
If you are starting outdoors use a clear plastic dome or covering that will fit over trays of plants to allow light in, but help keep moisture from escaping. This can also help retain heat in the root zone. Be sure to monitor plant growth to prevent the young plants from touching the plastic.
Transplant seedlings that outgrow cell packs into larger containers. Larger peat pots or plastic cups with holes punched in their bottoms work well. I have used sanitized yogurt cups with drain holes to start many plants inexpensively.
In Ellis County the average last freeze date is March 15 but can be earlier or later so monitor the long range forecast as it gets closer to moving your new plants into their new bed or pots.
Happy gardening,
Rodney
https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/starting-seeds-indoors
If you would like to ask Rodney a gardening question his email address is RodneyRabbit1@gmail.com.