Grow Your Plants from Seed

Snowflakes may be in the air, but it may help to remember that the last average frost date for this area of Indiana is around May 10th.  If you have considered growing some of your plants from seed this year,  decision time is here.  If you are a novice, perhaps a quick "why-what-when-how" of the process would be helpful.

WHY/WHAT/WHEN

• Although, seeds are often sown directly in the ground, it is possible to gain several weeks of growing time by starting the seeds indoors.
• If you have ever purchased several flats of bedding plants for large areas, you realize how quickly the cost mounts.  However, if you have the space indoors and the time, purchasing seeds is cheaper than purchasing flats of plants at the nursery--and the joy of growing your plants from seed may be therapeutic as well.
• First of all, decide what plants you want to grow yourself.
• Check the seed packet to determine the recommended starting time before the last frost date.

• A word of warning -- Don't start seeds too long before transplanting or the plants will become "leggy".  Recommendations for some popular plants are:

HOW

• You will need containers and some sort of starting medium, such as sterilized potting soil, a seedling mix, or peat moss/vermiculite.There are special trays, flats, and peat pots your may purchase, but it is also possible to be frugal by using such things as egg cartons, foam cups, baking pans, milk cartons, salad bowls from fast food restaurants, etc.  The most reliable results are obtained when using  a container in which the roots will not be disturbed when transplanting.
• Moisten the starting medium and fill the containers.   Plant the seeds according to the directions on the packet (some seeds need to be buried; some seeds don't).  After planting, gently mist the soil again.
• The seeds must have moisture and warmth to germinate, so cover the container and place it in a warm place, such as over a partially closed register, and keep the soil damp.
• Watch them carefully.  As soon as you see the little green shoots, uncover them and put them under light.  They need around 16 hours of light, so natural light from a window isn't going to be enough.  Fluorescent lights suspended closely over the plants are perfect.  Raise the height of the lights as the plants get taller.
• Depending on your choice of container, you may need to transplant the seedlings when they have their first set of true leaves.  If so, put them into 4" peat pots filled with potting soil.  Gently lift each seedling (with a spoon or pencil tip) holding them by their leaves rather than the stem.  Continue to provide lots of light.   It's time to start fertilizing using a weak solution once a week.
• About a week before planting time outside, acclimate the seedlings to the outdoors by placing them outside each day, increasing the length each day.  Start by putting them in the shade and gradually work into the sun by the end of the week.  Watch them carefully, though, to make sure they don't dry out!
• Planting day arrives.  Enjoy!