Heart of the Garden

Actually, it’s been here for a while.

Lesson learned from last year: DON’T OVER DO IT!

Step one: Consider the actual space in which you will stick your plants once they can go outside. Throwing a seed in the pot is easy but you will have to take care of it. So practice safe seeding!

Step two: Get the right set up. Chrome wire rack shelves are cheap and very sturdy. (I think “chrome” only refers to the color. Not sure what kind of metal mine is, but it’s sturdy and doesn’t rust.) A bright window may not be light enough long enough. 40 watt fluorescent lamps are fine. You do not need special full spectrum lights to grow seeds. Seedlings will enerally need 12-16 hours of light per day. I recommend plugging your lights into a power strip that’s connected to a timer.

Here’s a list of suggested thingies for the whole set up:

• metal wire rack shelving system
• 40-watt flourescent bulbs
• cheapo lamps for flourescent bulbs
• s-rings to suspend the lamps
• timer outlet
• seed starting mix (or peat and perlite)
• large bottom trays with grooves to allow for bottom-watering
• re-usable cell packs (or any clean little pots)

Step three: Get (or make!) some seed starting mix. Don’t use your garden soil unless you want to grow weeds or fungus.

Make your own seed starting mix:

• 1 part peat moss (not the most sustainable resource though.)
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1 part perlite
• a few cups of compost (optional)
• a little toss of worm casting (optional)

Some seeds may need heat, light or dark to germinate. Others may need a cold treatment for a couple weeks. And still others (like chunky nasturtiums) need scarification to nick the outer parts to allow the root (or radicle) to start growing in search of water.

I’ve been wanting to splurge on a seed starting heating mat, but so far I’ve had relative success without it.

WIth tiny seeds, it might be best to water them with a spray bottle or a mister so you don’t blow them out of the pot. You canalso water from below into the grooved bottom tray so you don’t waterlog the delicate seedlings. once the seeds have germinated, it is very important to make sure they don’t dry out because they can’t germinate twice. They also need good air circulation so they don’t get moldy. It’s a delicate balance.