The Root of the Problem
By
Debbie Cook
The last average frost date in the Treasure Valley is May 10th and there are many seeds that can be sown indoors now that will produce a transplant of sufficient size to be set out after that date. Delphinium, snapdragon, black-eyed Susan, petunia, thyme, parsley and sage and oregano are just a few. I thought I’d discuss a few things that might make your seed growing experience more successful, or at least a little easier.
Ø Get a good reference book. It will be one of your best investments if you start plants from seed. There are dozens available, but one book you might want to check out is “The New Seed-Starters Handbook” by Nancy Bubel. This has good general information along with some specific information about many plants.
Ø If you’ve been keeping seeds for years, or even since last season, test to see if they’re still viable. Roll a few up in a damp paper towel, place them in a plastic bag so they’ll stay moist and put the seeds on top of your fridge where it’s warm. Check them every few days for a week or so to see if any have germinated. Make sure the paper towel stays damp.
Ø Use a soil-less seed starting mix. This will prevent Damping-off, a common fungal disease that affects seedlings. Sometimes the fungus can kill the seedlings before they break through the soil, but the most common symptom kills seedlings that are about an inch or so high by rotting the stems right at the soil line and overnight the plants keel over and die.
Ø Seeds need a moist soil to germinate and sometimes getting the planting mix evenly moist once it’s in the seed trays is almost impossible. To eliminate that problem, moisten the mix before filling the trays or pots. Put the seed starting mix in a large tub, add water to moisten, and then fill the seed starting trays.
Ø Good light is essential for getting a plant that isn’t stretched out and leggy. Lights you can move up and down above the seedlings are a good investment. A regular shop light on chains is easy to use and reasonably priced. Your plants should receive 12-16 hours of light a day so make it easy on yourself and get a timer. The lights will come on automatically and you won’t even have to think about it. As the seeds germinate and begin to grow, raise the lights using S-hooks.
Ø Use plant markers. It’s easy to forget what we’ve planted where. You can buy markers but you can easily make your own from Popsicle sticks or old mini blinds.
Ø A pencil is good all-round planting tool. When you use it to write on plant markers it won’t wash off and it’s good for making planting holes for seeds or transplants.
Ø A watering can with a long spout and a removable rose will make watering easier. The long spout reaches between the plants and a rose used for overhead watering is a little like a nice rain.
Ø Once the true leaves have developed, use a fan on your plants for a couple of hours each day. The breeze from the fan will improve air circulation eliminating some of the fungal diseases and will also make the stems of your seedlings stronger and better able to withstand transplanting outside.
Ø Don’t forget to harden the new plants off before planting them outside.
These are simple tips that I hope you find helpful in making your seed starting successful. Now, get growing!
