It’s time to start your seeds!
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Late winter is for starting seeds, pruning trees, and planting late spring corms!!!
Now I know, by now you’ve poured over the seed catalogues. You’ve browsed through the online pictures, and on the darkest gray days your mind runs wild with the abundance you will have in the next few months!!
But before you make your purchases—I know you’re eager—pause for just a moment. Before the seeds arrive, it’s wise to set yourself up for success by understanding the process of starting seeds, how to time them properly, and how to plan for successions (if you’d like to have an abundance).
First and foremost, having a plan for each plant will save you from the headache and heartbreak of seedlings dying in their trays (ask me how I know). Start by identifying an appropriate location for each plant based on its growing conditions. Be realistic—does that location receive the correct amount of sunlight for the plant to thrive? Will it be too sunny for a plant that really needs afternoon shade?
I recommend taking time to measure each bed, and draw it out on graphing paper. This can be done electronically, or old fashioned with pen and paper. By mapping out square footage, you’ll assure each plant has enough room to grown, reduce the risk of pests/diseases, and create a happy environment for the pant to thrive.
Also, it’s easy to forget — but do you have a dormant plant in the ground? If so, you’ll need to account for that on the map to assure that you don’t plant over it, and crowd it out during its peak blooming period.
Once you have your map in hand, it’s time to get shopping! It’s easy to go overboard, so while it’s fun to window shop, be honest with yourself when reviewing your cart. How much can you realistically handle? It’s fine to buy a packet of seeds just to give it a go, but if you have three packs of Zinnias in your cart, consider paring that down to one so you can focus on growing just one type this year.
Seed manufacturers include expiration dates on their packets, and while storing seeds in the fridge can extend their shelf life, germination rates will decline over time. If you must try multiple colors or varieties, consider setting up a seed exchange with friends. That way, you can share your stockpiles without overwhelming yourself with seeds that may not grow well for you—or that you don’t end up liking as a cut flower. That said, there’s always room for experimentation, so don’t deny yourself the joy of a trial packet or two!
Now that you have your plan and your seeds on order, it’s time to set yourself up for success with quality seed-starting supplies. Below is a list of items I personally use and have relied on for years!
Forget about the cheap, thin, wasteful plastic trays from home improvement stores and nurseries. Invest in heavy-duty trays that will last for years, reducing landfill waste. Thin plastic trays cannot be recycled, so even if you’re “wish-cycling,” they’ll ultimately end up as waste that doesn’t break down. Plus, constantly replacing them costs just as much—if not more—in the long run. Do yourself a favor and invest in high-quality trays. You may also need water flats, and humidity domes.
If you want to completely eliminate plastic, consider soil blocking. Some manufacturers are making it easier for home gardeners to use this method, but it does require more frequent monitoring and can lead to seedling loss if not meticulously maintained. If going with soil blocking, you will need some sort of tray. I typically use a cafeteria style tray, but the water flats will also do the job. Just be careful to not overwater, as the soil blocks will fall apart. This takes practice, and patience, so it’s not always the best method for the beginning gardener.
What I don’t typically recommend are peat pots. They dry out quickly and can kill your seedlings before you even realize it. If you do use them and can commit to daily (or every-other-day) watering, be sure to remove the peat pot before planting. While peat eventually breaks down, it doesn’t decompose fast enough in a single growing season, which can leave you with root-bound plants that struggle to grow properly.
Now that your supplies are ordered and your seed packets have arrived, it’s time to get to work! Be sure to use a high quality potting soil which will help retain moisture, and allow for good root development.
A Few Key Tips Before You Start
Know your start-to-bloom time. Also, research specific germination requirements—some seeds have strict needs. For example, phlox requires complete darkness to germinate, so you can’t just cast seeds and hope for the best.
Group seeds with similar needs together. If you have delicate seeds that require surface sowing and bottom watering, keep them in their own tray. Likewise, if you’re growing seeds that need darkness to germinate, cover the entire tray with a sheet of newspaper rather than trying to cover individual sections. If it’s a tricky seed such as snapdragons, make sure you use humidity domes which leads to a higher germination rate.
Label everything. Be sure to write which seeds are in which row, using seedling markers. Mark each row and note the date you started the seeds. You can also set a reminder in your calendar. Be sure to count forward the expected germination days—this will help you track whether something went wrong and determine when to start a new batch if needed. By knowing when to call it quits, you can often get another round of seeds started in time for peak bloom!
Happy planting!
Supplies I recommend: