Garden experts are saying that 2009 will be the Year of the Vegetable Garden. Many folks are intimidated by the whole veggie garden process so we'll be offering some tips throughout the year on bringing your own "Victory Garden" to your backyard. I will also writing a separate blog on how a busy, working mother-of-two plants, maintains, and harvests a vegetable garden in our suburban backyard. (That link will be up soon so visit again!)
Starting seeds indoors for spring planting isn't as hard as it may seem. You only need a few supplies, a calendar, and a sunny window.
Timing is very important when starting seeds. You don't want your seedlings ready too early or they risk being damaged by late frosts. If your seedlings spend too much time in the house, they may become leggy or even die off in their tiny pots. It's important to pay attention to the germination information on seed packets. Usually they will have general instructions on the back of the packet to help you count backwards from our last frost date. Traditionally, the last frost date around here is May 15th, however, we've had frosts around Memorial Day the past few years so pad your dates a bit just to be safe. For example, the 'Ace' Bush Tomatoes that I am going to start inside say to start inside about 6-8 weeks before last frost. That puts the sowing date around April 6th or so. Each seed type that you start may have varied start dates so pay attention to the recommendations on the label.
As far as supplies go, a few simple items are all you need. Of course, you need seeds. (We carry a great selection of
Botanical Interests seeds so stop in soon!) Remember, there are sometimes tons of seeds in a pack and sometimes only a few - it depends on the plant. You will end up culling out a few seedlings so don't be afraid to plant them all. You can sow the seeds in the shallow flats that nurseries use to sell annuals. Just fill them with a light seedling soil (**Use seedling soil not garden or potting soil which are too heavy) and sow the seeds in small rows. A flat can hold several varieties of seedlings so it's the most space effective. Thin out the seedlings as they age, keeping the quantity you need plus few extras just in case. As they age and get larger and get their first set of true leaves (the ones that look like a mini version of the plant) then you'll need to transplant them into larger pots to grow until it's time to go outside. If you only need a few tomatoes or peppers for example, you can direct sow them into small pots to avoid a transplanting step. You can buy special seed starting kits or you can use recycled household items like butter tubs, plastic cups, or pots leftover from last years gardening. Be sure and sterilize any pot you use with a bleach/water solution before planting.
Once you have your containers, just sow the seeds in the soil (follow any depth instructions that are on the seed packets). You can cover your containers with a plastic cover or plastic wrap to act as a mini-greenhouse. Just be sure and leave some air holes and also take it off once you begin to see sprouts. Find a warm, sunny place and wait for some signs of life!
Check your seeds every day. Once they sprout, make sure they are getting plenty of light. If you do not have a consistently sunny window, invest in some gro-lights. Light is the MOST IMPORTANT part of starting seeds and if you don't have enough, you'll be disappointed in your seedlings.
As I mentioned before, you'll thin out many of the seedlings and only keep the best. Transplant the seedlings you keep gently into a larger pot. Peat pots are perfect for this as then you can plant the whole peat pot right in your outdoor garden. Peat pots are inexpensive and very easy alternative to plastic pots - plus they are "green" as they degrade in the soil!
When it's time to move things outdoors, check and double check the weather. You don't want Mother Nature to ruin all your fun! Make sure your garden is prepared, amended (compost will do) and ready to go. The soil should be warm to your touch and the temperature HAS to be above freezing. If in doubt about the temps, just wait a few more days or give us a call and ask our opinion on the weather situation!
Once your little guys are outside, protect them from critters if needed (chicken wire collars work well and can be left on all summer) and watch them grow!
I am looking forward to joining you on this process so make sure you check back and read my other blog. I'll discuss the process of seed starting, garden prep, weed/pest control, harvesting, gardening with children, and even a recipe or two! I will have it up and running in a week or two when it's closer to seed starting time! It will be linked from this page, probably up at the top. Check back - it will be fun!
Remember...seed starting is a trial and error process that isn't right for everyone. You can certainly skip that step and purchase pre-started vegetables and herbs in our greenhouses in the spring. I will do both this year and see how it goes! Please don't hesitate to call or stop by for more detailed information and supplies for starting seeds!
Meagan Provencher
Landscape Designer
