Start Your Own Seeds

Whether you enjoy growing flowers or vegetables, get a head start on the season by starting seeds indoors. Gardeners can purchase transplants grown in commercial nurseries, but sprouting them yourself is cheaper and provides a wider range of plant varieties from which to choose. It’s always fun to try something new, and for the price of a seed packet, you can afford to experiment.

When should you begin sprouting your plants?

“First, you need to determine when you can safely plant the transplants outdoors. This will vary depending on whether you’re starting cool-season or warm-season vegetables and the part of the country in which you live,” says Marianne Riofrio, an extension associate at the Ohio State University Department of Horticulture and Crop Science. Count back five to eight weeks, depending on the variety, from the time it’s safe to transplant outdoors. This information should be on the seed packet.

Specialized seed-starting equipment isn’t essential, says Ed Hume, host of Gardening in America, televised in the Pacific Northwest, and owner of Hume Seeds. Use any container that’s handy, but punch drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the containers with a commercial potting soil.

“In the early stages, fertilizer is not necessary,” Hume says. “Everything they need is in the seed itself. But if you begin to feed the plants when they (get) their first leaves, it gives them a real boost.” He uses a weak tea made from manure for this purpose, but a watered-down solution of any liquid fertilizer will work.

The three biggest problems people have when starting seeds indoors are incorrect planting depth, too much or too little water, and insufficient light, Hume says. Never cover the seed more than three times its diameter, he advises. Tiny seeds should be barely covered, and some varieties should not be covered at all. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. If you have no sunny location for the seeds, Hume suggests using a fluorescent “grow” light designed for plants, about 6 to 12 inches above the soil, moving it upward gradually as the plant grows.

While seeds are sprouting, prepare the garden soil with fertilizer. Riofrio also recommends phosphorus, a critical nutrient for getting young plants off to a good start. “Phosphorous is important for root development,” she says.

Be careful, though. Too much nitrogen on transplants can cause heavy top growth before the roots become well established, resulting in a weak plant. Use either a liquid starter fertilizer or place a small amount of rock phosphate in the planting hole, she advises.

Growing plants from seed takes more effort than buying plants from the nursery, but it is satisfying and lots of fun. You can try new varieties, save money, and learn something new. It’s gratifying to see new sprouts and anticipating when they’ll grace your garden with beauty or feed your family.

Pamela Kock is a freelance writer from southwest Ohio and editor of a website devoted to houseplants.

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