The continuation of Tatiana’s series that follows the highs and lows of her very first vegetable gardening season. Will her dream of fresh, great tasting produce be realized? Be sure to read the Coldprairie Chronicles every two weeks to find out!
Hello again – it’s time to start some seedlings!
The two gardening books that I found invaluable for a beginner, inexperienced gardener were: The Vegetable Gardener’s Bible: Discover Ed’s High-Yield W-O-R-D System for All North American Gardening Regions, as well as Gardening When It Counts by Steve Solomon
Both are simply excellent resources and when combined, contrive to answer all your gardening questions and guide you step-by-step guide to a successful result.
There are some very good reasons to start your own plants from seed. First, as Steve Solomon explains, the garden center may not have the healthiest transplants. A healthy seedling should have a healthy root system, be properly hardened off, be a good variety for the local conditions and be the right variety for the home gardener. Secondly, it’s plain fun to watch things grow. To watch a tiny seed turn into a luscious plant with nothing more than water is magic and alchemy. Third, and I suspect this is a very common reason the further north you go – it gives the gardener something to do while the weather is still not cooperating outside.
So even though I’ve killed several houseplants over the years, I bravely ventured forth and planted some heirloom seeds. And trust me – if I can do it, so can you.
Most seeds should be started 2-8 weeks before they go outside, so you’ll have to refer to each plant growing guide for specific info.
First – you take some peat pods.
Coconut Pod
Then a seedling tray. I’m starting ONE zucchini plant. Don’t laugh – I hear they’re prolific. So I’m using a tiny food container as a tray. Any plastic dish will do. And some water.
I also advise some vermiculite – you won’t see it in any book, but trust me on this one.
Vermiculite
Spread a healthy layer of vermiculite on the bottom of the seedling tray. Place the peat pods inside, and water in a slow trickle over and over again until they expand in size to about 1.5 inches. Gently drain the excess water from the tray.
Mini-Seedling Tray
Using a pencil make a small hole in the middle of the peat pod and plant two seeds at the recommended depth. You’ll see this info on the seed packet.
Zucchini Seeds
Then tap the peat firmly into place over the seedling to ensure it has good contact with the soil. The moisture in the soil will allow it to begin germinating. The reason you plant two is in case one is a dud. It’s always easier to overplant and thin the seedlings later than to not have enough plants later.
Seed Pot with Seed
Place the lid over your garden-to-be and put the tray in a warm place, say on top of the fridge. Most seedlings require warm and moist conditions to germinate so people improvise – some place them in a sunny windowsill, other in the oven (off of course). The vermiculite has absorbed a lot of water at this point and will help to keep the seedlings moist and provide moisture from the bottom. Kind of like a much more expensive watering mat.
Begin checking your seedlings twice a day after about three days. As soon as they start sprouting place them under a grow light, or if you’re lucky and get more than four hours of sunshine per day, in your sunniest window. Seedlings MUST have about 6 hours of sunlight per day, and 12-18 hrs under a grow light for optimal development. Otherwise they will stretch trying to reach the light, become thin, pale and weak – called ‘leggy’ in the gardening circles, and will often flop over and die. With adequate sun you will have sturdy, bushy, green plants that will grow much better veggies down the road.
Stay tuned for seedling care!
Tatiana also writes about gardening and many other interesting topics over at Coldprairie. Be sure to visit and check it out! Want to offer Tatiana some advice or words of encouragement? Leave her a comment below — she will be thrilled you did!
