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If you’re thinking about
starting seeds indoors this winter, good for you! Here are a few tips to
help make you a bit more successful with your seed starting adventure:
First of all, you’ll
need the right seed starting supplies.
1.) For your growing
medium, use a soil-less potting mix which is composed of sphagnum peat,
perlite, and sometimes a little vermiculite. This mix is extremely
important as it actually helps to hold moisture for the new seedlings, yet
is airy and allows them to dry properly with less chance of getting
dampening off, or rotting of the seedlings. This one even has a slow
release fertilizer to help feed the seedlings very slowly and gently as they
grow.
2.) Something to grow
your seedlings in…small pots, Jiffy Cubes, and of course these nice trays
with cell packs are wonderful for starting your seeds.
3.) Some type of shop
light with regular florescent tubes will be needed to help supplement the
much needed sunlight to keep your seedlings from stretching. Remember to
keep the lights within inches of the new seedlings.
4.) A misting bottle.
This is one of the best ways to water your new seedlings, especially when
they’re very young. Misting the soil is not so invasive and is easier to
control the water flow.
5.) A small inexpensive
fan, and trust me, this fan is one of the key ingredients for starting seeds
indoors. Placed away from the seedlings, it provides constant air movement
around the plants which helps reduce disease, rotting, and it also helps to
promote stockier plants.
And here’s the most
important thing to remember. Read the back of the seed packs and see how
long it takes for germination and time for transplanting outdoors. Then
count backwards from our frost free date which is around May 15. That’s
when you start your seeds indoors. For tomatoes, it takes about 6-8 weeks,
which means starting time is right around late March. That’s almost 2
months away! And remember, it’s always better to start them a little late,
rather than way too early. |
