Spring: Start of Seed Starting

Although the days may be getting longer and we often see hints of spring this time of year – usually followed by another cold blast – we all know that planting season is coming. To this end, you may be considering starting your seeds indoors, which is a great option. Seed packets, starter mix and containers will have started appearing in the stores in late January and February. Seeds will sometimes be discounted this time of year as well.  However, there are many rules of thumb to follow related to starting seeds indoors. Read on for some great tips by Kerry Michaels as well as our own Pam Davies:  

1. Don’t Get Over-Zealous! Since most plants are ready to go outside four to six weeks after you start the seeds, it is key not to start too early!
2. Spring Cleaning! Whether you buy new or reuse your equipment, it is key to sanitize your containers before starting. Wash them in hot soapy water and rinse well or just submerge them in a tub of water with 10% bleach for a few minutes. You may even consider pre-filling your containers in the fall with a mixture of potting soil and starter mix and arrange them in the trays. 
3. They Are Finicky! Know your seeds as they can be finicky when it comes to how deep they are planted. Some seeds need complete darkness to germinate while others require light. Proper planting depth is usually provided on the seed packet. A general rule of thumb is to plant seeds two to three times as deep as they are wide.
4. Don’t Sow too Many!  If you are new to sowing seeds indoors, start off slow. If you sow more seeds than you can reasonably maintain, it will become challenging to nurture the seedlings into adulthood. Depending on the type of plant you want to grow, you might be able to direct-sow seeds in outdoor containers or in the ground when outdoor temperatures warm up. It also is a good idea to label your containers.
5. Watch Your Water Levels! Keeping the soil moist is essential for starting seeds and to nurture seedlings. However, though the soil should be visibly wet, it should not be sodden. As it dries out note the change in color of the soil. A spritzer also can be used to keep the soil moist, spritzing twice a day or more. A small fan can be used if needed to keep air moving and prevent fungus. Once your seedlings have several sets of true leaves (more than just the first two cotyledon leaves), you can start thinking about fertilizing. A weak (1/4 strength) all purpose, water soluble fertilizer applied once a week will do just fine. Over fertilizing can kill the young seedling so less is better.  
   
   

Now comes the “hard” part. When the seedlings are large enough to plant outdoors, you need to prepare them for the transition by hardening off. Hardening off involves exposing your plants to the elements gradually, preparing the seedlings for outdoor conditions like wind, rain and sun. To begin, place your seedlings outdoors for one hour, and then bring them back indoors. Gradually increase the amount of outdoor time every day for 6 to 10 days. You will need to make some judgment calls based on the outdoor temperature and the fragility of your seedlings. If it is a particularly cool day or very rainy, you will want to decrease the time of that hardening-off session.
For more information, read past articles on this topic:
https://www.northcountrymgv.org/blog/seed-starting-indoors 
https://www.northcountrymgv.org/blog/more-on-starting-seeds-indoors  +  https://www.northcountrymgv.org/blog/still-more-on-starting-seeds-indoors  

Author:  Kimberly Kayler