With less than three weeks until the official start of spring, it’s finally time to get growing! You’ve perused the seed catalogs and racks of seed packs at your local supplier, dreamed up your ideal garden space, and maybe even started buying supplies. Now what?
Seed starting indoors, in your home or a greenhouse, is an excellent way to get a jump on this year’s garden. Read on for helpful tips to get you well on your way.
Select for Success
Of course, you’ll want seeds that are suitable for your growing zone (Frederick County is zone 7a) but be mindful of source and variety too. Buy from reputable seed companies like Botanical Interests, Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Johnny’s, and Southern Exposure Seed Exchange.
Be selective in the seeds you buy and realistic about what you and your family want to grow. Choose varieties you’re familiar with or that work well for preserving and long-term storage if that’s your goal.
Heirloom varieties are tried and true options that offer the ability to save seed for future seasons.
Research & Plan
Ideally, you’ll have a general idea of your garden layout before buying seeds for the year. Researching plant varieties and planning your harvest allows you to maximize your garden space and avoid overbuying seeds. If you’re not sure where to start, make a list of the vegetables and herbs your family uses most and try growing those. (Add some of your favorite flowers for even more fun.)
Seed packets give you much of the information you’ll need to successfully grow what’s inside. Pay particular attention to sowing method and days to harvest.
Remember that not all seeds should be started indoors. In fact, many seeds like carrots, peas, beets, and beans often fare better when directly sown into the soil. Save your indoor seed starting efforts for plants like tomatoes, peppers, and herbs that need a longer growing period and do well as transplants.
Seed Starting Methods
Pots and Trays
There’s no shortage of trays, pots, and flats on the market designed for starting seeds. Choose what works best for your budget and your growing space. Durability and proper drainage are good things to look for when all other factors are equal. You can get creative with your containers, too! Think egg cartons, yogurt cups, and other recycled containers for reclaimed seed starting on a budget. Just be sure that whatever you use has drainage holes.
Soil Blocking
Soil blocking is a great alternative to plastic seed pots and trays. Soil blocking involves forming blocks with moistened soil that become the vessel for your seed without the need for a container. This method allows for improved root development and air circulation and reduces transplant shock. It’s also good for maximizing space, as you can fill an old baking sheet or other tray with more soil blocks than you can fit in a traditional plastic insert.
Quality Seed-Starting Mix
Whether in trays or as soil blocks, a high-quality seed-starting mix is crucial to the strength of your seedlings. A quality mix will be lightweight, well-draining, and free of debris (and chemicals).
You can also make your own seed-starting mix with ingredients like peat moss/coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite. Search online for DIY seed-starting mixes if you’d like to try.
Helpful Tip: Sprinkle cinnamon over the soil of your freshly sown seeds to avoid fungal growth and repel certain pests.
Label, Label, Label
You’ll surely be able to tell the difference between a tomato and a basil plant, but what about two different varieties of pepper plant? Keep track of what you've planted and when. Use plant markers or sticks to label your pots with the seed type and date planted. If you don’t have plant tags, you can make your own by cutting strips from a plastic jug. Masking tape on tray flats works well too.
Light and Temperature
A sunny windowsill may provide enough light for some hardy seedlings, but most starts will require grow lights to thrive indoors. Grow lights should be about 2-4 inches above the seedlings and adjusted as they grow. Monitor the spacing to ensure the light isn’t too close (causing burning) or too far away (causing leggy seedings as they stretch to reach the light). For best results, use fluorescent or LED grow lights, and keep them on for about 12-16 hours a day.
Most seeds prefer warmth to germinate. Aim for a consistent temperature of 65-75°F. You can use a seedling heat mat under your trays to keep the soil warm. These are especially helpful for tomatoes and peppers, as well as some herbs and flowers.
Watering
At planting, keep the soil consistently moist using a spray bottle or watering can with a fine spout to avoid washing away your seeds. After sprouting, water from the bottom to encourage strong root development in your seedlings.
Less is More
Once your seedlings have a few sets of leaves, thin them out, leaving only the strongest seedlings to grow (one per cell for indoor starts; one every few inches for direct sow crops, or as directed on the seed packet). This is one of the hardest things to do as a gardener after spending so much time and effort getting your seeds to sprout, but it’s worth the trouble. Thinning prevents overcrowding and ensures your plants have enough space to develop properly.
Some Notes on Transplanting
One of the worst blows to a gardener is carefully tending seedlings for weeks only to have them wilt and die once they are transplanted outside. To avoid this heartache, harden off your transplants before moving them outside permanently. Start by placing them outside for a couple of hours each day (out of direct sun), gradually increasing the time for about a week. Also, have patience when transplanting. Soil temperature is just as important to your transplants as air temperature. A few warm days at the start of the season won’t necessarily warm the soil enough for some tender transplants. Don’t rush progress.
Local Resources
These local businesses are excellent resources for all things seed starting and gardening. Be sure to check them out this season!
Clearbrook Feed and Supply (seeds, tools, soil and compost)
Eden Earth (organic fertilizers)
Shenandoah Sand (soil and compost)
Solenberger’s Hardware (seeds, tools, and supplies)
Weber’s Nursery (seeds, soil and compost)
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