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Starting plants from seeds, whether vegetables, herbs, or ornamental plants, can be veryrewarding. The benefits not only include better choices of plants to grow, but you can savemoney while …
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Starting plants from seeds, whether vegetables, herbs, or ornamental plants, can be very rewarding.
The benefits not only include better choices of plants to grow, but you can save money while experiencing the satisfaction of growing the plants yourself.
You’re going to need the right materials to get a seed starting project off the ground.
Not all seeds need to be started now (nor do you want to start too early), nor do all seeds need to be started indoors (some can be planted directly outside in the garden when the weather is right).
Consult our CCE Oneida website at: http://cceoneida.com/home-garden for more information.
Look around our website. You’ll find links to Cornell University’s Garden based learning site as well as fact sheets on growing specific crops.
Fact sheets will also provide you with guidelines on when to start your seeds indoors and when it’s appropriate to place your transplants outdoors.
Here is a list of materials you need to start your seeds indoors:
Seeds
You can buy your seeds at retailers or online. If you saved seeds from last year, check for good viability (or germination).
Dampen a paper towel, sprinkle about 10 or so seeds over it and fold the towel into quarters. Place into a plastic bag and set it where it’s warm.
In a week to 10 days the seeds should be germinating. A good viability means over half the seeds sprouted. If they haven’t, then consider buying new seeds.
Seed starter mix
Seeds germinate in medium called “soilless mix.” It’s very light, has excellent drainage and is sterile.
Don’t use potting mix, potting soil, or garden soil; it is too heavy and can have disease spores.
Containers
You can buy seed starting containers or kits which come with trays to capture water and domes to provide humidity.
You can purchase pellets that expand with water or peat pots.
However, save money by reusing containers such as egg cartons, yogurt and salad containers; you can even make newspaper pots for starting your seeds.
Labels
Seedlings look alike. Be sure you label everything. You can buy plant labels or repurpose materials such as popsicle sticks or clothes pins; anything that you can write on to identify the seeds and use a waterproof marker.
Heat, light, and water
Many seeds germinate the best with extra bottom heat from a germination heating mat. Mats are inexpensive and available wherever seed starting materials are sold; mats come in various sizes to accommodate the number and size of your seed pots.
Germination mats are placed underneath the containers and should be always left on until the seeds sprout. Remove the mat when you see the seedlings. Once sprouted, seedlings need bright light.
You can spend money on grow lights; or just use fluorescent shop lights and hang them over the seedlings, close to the tops of the plants. Hanging them on moveable chains will allow you to move them as seedlings grow taller. Sunny windows don’t provide enough light for young seedlings to grow.
Humidity is important before seeds germinate. Keep the soil mix damp and use either a plastic lid, clear plastic bags or clear plastic wrap to keep humidity in.
Once seeds sprout, you can remove the covering. Don’t let the seedlings dry out and don’t overwater, water sparingly.
If you missed signing up for the current master gardener volunteer training, we can put you on our list for the next upcoming training. For more information, call us or visit ttp://cceoneida.com/. Click on the Facebook and YouTube icons at the bottom of the home page to find great research and garden information. Questions? Call 315-736-3394, ext. 100.
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