It’s that time of the year again – seed planting season! While some of us think we have plenty of time to get prepared for garden season, others are itching to get those hands dirty and plant some FOOD! So, if you find yourself aligned with the latter just mentioned then here’s what you can plant – SEEDS. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac the last hard frost in our area is predicted to be mid to late April. Depending on the type of plant you are growing from seed, some seeds could be started as early as the middle of February indoors. Here’s the rundown for starting seeds so when transplanting time occurs, your baby plants are well on their way to handling some sun, rain and beautiful outdoor conditions for growing. Check out these tips anyone can follow for starting your own seeds indoors:
- Decide what plants you want to grow and make a list. Use a seed catalog to help you decide what to plant based on your space and lifestyle.
- Plant more seeds than you think you will need. The fact is some seeds won’t germinate so plant more seeds than you plan on placing in the ground. If you end up with more plants than you like then share with neighbors and friends!
- Gather containers and appropriate potting mix for seeds. Seeds shouldn’t be planted in regular potting or gardening mix. A soilless peat mix with equal parts vermiculite and perlite is a healthy medium for starting seeds. Mix together in a bucket and moisten before filling containers.
- Follow seed packet instructions for placing seeds in containers. Don’t forget to label all your seed placements on the containers or with popsicle sticks.
- Containers should be placed in a warm area (65-75 degrees) with an especially warm bottom natural heat. A good place could be on top of an appliance such as a refrigerator. You can also use a seedling heat mat.
- Water all seeds carefully and don’t flood the bunch!Growing food from seed is gratifying, historical, fun and can even help you save money.
With these tips, anyone can grow their own food from seed whether you live in an apartment, RV, home or even dorm room.