I find that planning when seedlings should be started is a first step. The seed catalogs come out in early January (and aren’t they mouthwatering!). I choose what to order, combined with seeds that I’ve collected over the previous season and then plan when to start what. I generally start seeds in mid February. Why so early? I used to start them all in April, but found the basil peppers were smaller than I’d like (hence taking longer to fruit), and the morning glory was still under developed by planting time.
So what supplies do you need to start seeds? If you have a sunny south facing window, some soil-less medium and a tray that can be covered to create a greenhouse effect, you’re all set. I prefer the APS seed starting kit from Gardener’s supply, because they’re self watering. But I also used the Jiffy peat pots, especially for those plants that don’t like to be transplanted (like Morning Glory). I do use my south facing bay window (at first that was all I had). Last year I purchased a stand with full spectrum grow lights, because I was running out of room in my window. Also a heat mat will keep the temperature warm may be desirable (though I don’t have one and have been able to propagate from seed fine). It all depends on your environment and how much you want to grow from seed. Finally I use an organic seed starting mix (Jiffy has a good one). Why organic? Because many of the things I grow from seed are for consumption. And since I am environmentally minded, I use organic products and remedies where-ever possible. I’ll do more posts on that in the future.
So mid February, I started herbs. I already have oregano, french tarragon in my barrels (my herb garden is in a set of 3 large whiskey barrels on the patio); since these are perrenial, I don’t need to start new ones. I started Italian Parsley, Basil, Sage (which is perrenial), green onions, & Calypso Cilantro. The Calypso Cilantro is a new try for me; it’s advertised to last longer and allow for multiple cuttings (in my experience, Cilantro is generally only good for one cut). Since I like to keep parsley in a sunny window all winter for use, I needed to grow some more (I rotate parsley and rosemary, putting the older into the barrels in late spring and keeping the youger ones in pots to be brought inside in the fall). I haven’t tried my hand at growing rosemary from seed, so I’ll purchase a plant for winter and place the one I have on my windowsill, which is destined for the barrels outside. I planted about 20 Basil because I like them not only in my herb barrels but planted among my tomatoes. I’m hoping I’ll have healthy herbs to place in my barrels come Memorial day.
The next set of seedlings I started (this weekend, 2/27/10) are both floral and vegetative. I put morning glory (3 varieties) into peat pots (I’m growing the standard blue, a unique red and a carnival (multi-colored strip)). Also, I started about 20 mixed Larkspur & some Blue Salvia. I start the larkspur early because I find they seem to need a head start (they are lovely delphium type annuals). The Salvia is new and the package said seeds should be sown from February to May. So I thought to try them earlier. I’ll keep you posted on their progress.And I started my red peppers (18 plants, I usually plant at least 12 for cross pollination) and 3 black pearl peppers (very hot! but ornamental too). I’m hoping to keep one black pearl in a pot to overwinter. Finally I started about 5 eggplants. They’re a new variety and I’ve never grown eggplant from seed so I’ll have to update on how that goes in coming posts.
Next, in mid-March I’ll be starting early weather crops: snow peas, snap peas, swiss chard. These will go out in mid-April with a row cover (I had great success with these last year). I generally don’t start lettuce from seed indoors (it always gets too leggy for me), but I’ll direct seed when I plant the rest. When I get to that point, I’ll post my what I’m doing.
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Susan Macchia