 Roll strips of newsprint around a round wooden form |
 Fold bottom edges in and press into wooden base |
 Gently pull paper pot from the wooden form |
 Fill paper pots with propagating medium |
Gifford Garden Notes
Starting Seeds Indoors
by Diane Fagergren
Finally it is time to start sowing seeds indoors! Getting started now means higher yields earlier in the season. There are also many more varieties available to you in seed catalogues than at some of the local garden centers. Certain materials will be needed depending on the method of propagating that you choose. Supplies can be purchased and also found in and around your home. First off, you will need a seed-starting medium that is sterile, well drained, and does not contain any fertilizer. I have had great success with commercial soilless mixes. They are free from weed seeds, diseases, and fungus. These factors are all important when propagating seeds.
Next you will need to gather up some containers in which to sow the seeds. Always use ones that are new or can be washed with a solution of 10% bleach to sterilize them. Rinse them thoroughly and allow them to dry. Here are a few examples of containers:
How to make newspaper pots:
Roll strips of newsprint around a round wooden form |
Fold bottom edges in and press into wooden base |
Gently pull paper pot from the wooden form |
Fill paper pots with propagating medium |
These newspaper pots pictured above cost virtually nothing so if you're trying to save money you might pursue this method. Placing them in a recycled plastic container provides a transparent dome over the seeds, holding in the humidity needed until germination occurs. The wooden form can be purchased for around $12.00 Clay or plastic pots can be filled with seed starting medium and sealed within a clear baggie until the seedlings appear. This is another inexpensive way to start seeds. Peat pots, pellets and special propagating flats with domes are all available at local garden centers.
|
|
After you have filled your containers with propagating mix, water them until the soil is uniformly moist. I find it helpful to do this before seeding because you will not run the risk of seeds moving about in pools of water. At this point, you are ready to sow your seeds! Remember that each seed has different requirements, which are usually printed on the package. The time it takes for that seed to germinate, the amount of light and heat needed for that to occur, and the safe time to plant outdoors are all important factors to take into account. I would strongly recommend keeping some type of records. Here is a sample page of a germination chart.
| Botanical name | common name | Sow date | Germination date | Tray type | Light requirements | Prick off date | Comments |
| Tagetes 'Tangerine Gem' | marigold | 3/14 | 3/17 | sm. sq. flat | Needs light | 4/4 | Good germination rate |
Seed size can vary quite a bit and this will help determine how they are sown. Large seeds can be placed in their containers by hand with ease but tiny seeds are more difficult to sow evenly. These miniscule seeds can be mixed with fine sand and put into a salt shaker and then sprinkled over the moist soilless mix. The end result is a much more uniform distribution of these tiny seeds. Many gadgets are available that can aid with the planting process. By experimenting with tweezers, seed spoons or different types of sowers you can find a method that you are comfortable with.
After you have sown your seeds, it is generally a good idea to cover them lightly with vermiculite or germinating mix. This is simply done by placing one of these mediums in a sifter and tapping it slightly until a thin layer covers the seed. Keep in mind that some seeds do not want to be covered, so read each individual package for instructions.
At this point, you will want to place the containers in a warm, well-lit location. If placed in a sunny window, be sure to rotate your trays often so the seedlings do not stretch, as they will reach for the light. If using grow lights, set the florescent tubes about 4" away from the tops of the containers. As the seeds grow, adjust the distance accordingly.
Next week: Care of seedlings
Gifford Garden Archives, January 2003 - present
Gifford Garden Archives, July 2001 - January 2003
