March 2 column: Planting seeds

Here is a link to my column in today’s edition of The Spokesman-Review. Timing is everything when it comes to planting seeds. (or you can read my column below)

It is the second of two parts on starting your own flowers and vegetables from seed. I hope you’ll find it helpful! If you have any questions, just let me know by either commenting on this post or emailing me at Susan@susansinthegarden.com.

Next week’s topic is on the newest veggie varieties.

Column:

by Susan Mulvihill

Second of two parts.

Last week, I discussed the joys of starting your own plants from seeds indoors. Let’s continue with a look at the process.

When to start planting seeds

The timing of planting seeds is very important. Too early and you’ll end up with leggy, sprawling plants. Too late and they’ll take a while to hit their stride. The best source for timing is right on the back of the seed packet. You’ll also learn about planting depth, spacing, warmth requirements and so on. If it says to start the seeds 8 weeks before the last frost date, that’s the middle of March for our region.

Here are some rough guidelines on the indoor planting schedule I use. In early March, I plant artichokes. When mid-March arrives, I start my tomatoes, celery, peppers, eggplants and most annual flowers. In early April, I plant peas indoors; they will be transplanted outside a week later. I also start basil since it takes a long time to get going.

In early May, I plant corn, beans, pumpkins, and summer and winter squash. That will give them a couple of weeks’ head start before planting them outside.

Seed orientation tip

One useful tip I picked up a while back was the importance of properly orienting seeds. This results in better germination results. I learned that seeds only contain enough energy to send roots downward and its seedling upward.

For round seeds, it doesn’t really matter which way you place them in the ground. That’s because they should sprout without any problems. But for seeds that aren’t round, if you don’t orient them properly in the soil, they’ll potentially waste their limited energy stores on orienting themselves. Unfortunately, they often die before they see the light of day.

For oblong seeds like those of melons, squash and cucumbers, plant them with the pointed end facing downward. Corn seeds are also planted this way. Bean seeds, which are kidney-shaped with a little scar in the middle of the curvy side, plant the scar down.

Once I learned this, I’ve had excellent germination rates. You might want to keep this in mind as you plant your seeds. It’s a little extra effort, but well worth it.

Now you are finally ready for planting seeds. Fill your growing container with about 2 inches of lightly-moistened germination mix. That is a sterile, soil-less mix sold at garden centers. Plant the seeds at the correct depth and properly oriented. Sprinkle a very light layer of finely-milled sphagnum moss. This will help prevent the fungal disease called “damping-off.” Mist the surface of the soil lightly with water.

Label your container and cover it with a clear cover or place it in a plastic bag and tie it shut. This will raise the humidity in the container. Place it under a grow light or in a sunny location.

Once the seeds have sprouted, remove the cover or bag. Now you need to monitor the soil moisture so it doesn’t dry out. As soon as the seedlings have a pair of “true” leaves — not the initial seed leaves — feed them. I use a half-strength solution of fish emulsion; feed again every couple of weeks.

The seed packet should indicate when to transplant the seedlings into a larger container, if necessary. As the weather warms up, you can start hardening off the plants. This is a process that helps them acclimate to the intensity of sunlight. Taking the plants outside for an hour the first day, two hours the next, and so on. Do this over the course of a week. Watch the weather forecasts carefully.

Before you know it, you’ll be a pro at planting seeds. And that will in turn will open up a whole new world of gardening possibilities.