No, we’re not loopy – a variety of seeds can and should be started indoors and January and February are the ideal months to plant many of them.
So, thaw out that green thumb, dig into those seed catalogs you’ve been using to keep cabin fever at bay and get a head start on this season’s garden.
Save some money in spring by starting your own flowers from seeds now. Some to consider include:
Sweet pea – Sweet peas are best planted in fall if you want them to bloom in early spring. It’s not too late to plant them, however. They will bloom, but just a bit later than they would have had you planted them in fall.
Start them now in seed planters filled with seed starting mix and transplant them in the garden in spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
Need more tips? Check out reneesgarden.com.
Dianthus – Dianthus is typically quick to germinate (10 to 21 days) but slow to flower (60 to 90 days), so January is the ideal time to start the seeds indoors. You’ll need lights to set the seed tray under. Even an inexpensive fluorescent shop light will do the trick.
“Be aware that only selected cultivars of Diathus plumarius, such as ‘Sweetness’ (Dianthus plumarius ‘Sweetness’) will bloom the first year from seed,” cautions Bridget Kelly. She provides more helpful tips at gardenologist.org.
Snapdragon – Gorgeous and colorful, snapdragons are a must for a spring flower garden.
Seeds need to be sown 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date (which you can find at davesgarden.com)
Tomatoes, peppers and any other warm-season vegetables you plan on growing require a long season, so starting the seeds indoors, early, is a must.
Other vegetables to start now include:
Like tomatoes, melons require a long growing season so get these seeds started indoors, now:
Don’t look to the seed packet to give you much more information than how many weeks before your last frost date to start your seeds indoors.
The key to successful seed starting indoors is threefold:
Then, you’ll need some additional equipment:
Fill the container with the seed starting mix and use your fingers to lightly press down the soil to remove air pockets. Add more of the mix so that the container is filled to within one-quarter inch of the rim.
Plant the seeds – about two to three per container – cover the container with the dome or plastic, place them in the tray and then place that on the heat pad, under the light source.
Once the seeds germinate, remove the plastic and move the light as close as possible to them (without touching) and allow it to remain on for at least 12 hours every day.
As the seedlings grow, adjust the light so that it sits just above them – almost touching them.
Finally, about three weeks after germination, give the seedlings a weak solution of a 3-1-2 liquid fertilizer. Always apply fertilizer to wet soil and water after fertilizing.
Happy gardening!
Powered by WPeMatico
Want To Learn More?
|
|
Chat with Michael!
|
Want To Learn More?
|
|
Chat with Michael!
|