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Seed Starting on a Shoestring
(by Alexandra Heath - February 05, 2008)
The weather has been blustery and cold. We even got a dusting of snow the other evening. Nonetheless, if you are planting a garden this year and want to save some money, now is the time to start your seeds for spring planting.
Starting your plants from seeds is a great way to save money (rather than buying transplants from the nursery) and provides a bit of a back-up if you experience poor germination or lose a few seedlings before the transplant stage. Most seed packets contain many more seeds than you want to grow, so you can always plant a few more to fill in bare spots. Even seeds from previous growing seasons may still be viable enough to germinate. So don’t throw your old seeds away!
If you have some packets left over from last year, try sprouting the seeds to determine if they will grow. To do this, moisten a couple of paper towels and place them on a tray, such as a cookie sheet. Sprinkle some seeds on the surface of the paper towel and then cover them with another moistened paper towel. You can place the whole thing in a plastic bag and leave it in a warm place for a couple of days. Take a peek every couple of days to see what’s happening and re-moisten the towels if they dry out. Within a week to ten days, most viable seeds will have softened and the bare beginnings of a sprout can be seen. At that point, go ahead and plant the sprouted seeds in some potting soil.
If you need some pots for seedlings you can use any number of household discards. Egg cartons, paper cups, margarine and yogurt containers, anything that can hold a bit of soil and retain water will work. Just remember that most of these makeshift pots are somewhat shallow and the seedlings will outgrow them quickly. You will also need to pierce the bottoms of the containers with an ice pick or a nail so that excess water can drain away. Most seedlings do not like wet feet. In fact, too much moisture can lead to mold and fungal diseases that may contaminate all other seedlings in close proximity.
Potting soil can be an expense, but there are ways to extend that pricey bag of soil. Add some sifted soil from your garden, since it will provide good nutrients to your soon-to-be seedlings. It will also give your seedlings a head start by allowing them to germinate, sprout and grow in the soil where they will spend their brief (but tasty!) lives.
Warmth is essential for seeds to sprout and grow. For many years I used to start my seeds in egg cartons placed on trays inside plastic bags that I then put on top of the refrigerator. There is considerable warmth that rises from the back of a refrigerator, so this is an ideal location. Other good spots are on bookshelves or high ledges. Don’t put the tray in the sun until after the seeds have sprouted. Then the seedlings will appreciate some filtered sun to get the “green” going in their tiny leaves.
The first leaves that appear after germination are the “seedling leaves” or “cotyledons.” These are not true leaves as such. Very quickly the little seedlings will put out one, two or more leaves. Once the seedlings have set their first “true” leaves, they can be “hardened off” in a protected area outdoors. Bring the seedlings in at night and continue hardening off for at least a week. If the weather cooperates, you can then plant the seedlings outdoors.
Don’t forget to label your pots so you will know what plant is popping out of the soil. If you like surprises, skip the labeling.
There is always the chance that you will grow many more seedlings than you need for the amount of space you are planting. Here’s a lovely thing to do—give your excess seedlings away to your neighbors. This might even be the opportunity for a neighborhood of gardeners to get together for a “seedling swap.” What a great way to start the New Year!
Happy planting!
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