2022 Spring Seed Starting Ideas

Here’s what some members of the West Gardiner Gardeners are doing to get a jump on the growing season. These ideas were developed through an email discussion.

Organizational Ideas

One member separates her seed into baggies by “starting” date. Another member keeps hers in moisture-controlled boxes, each variety in baggies, and the boxes kept by “family” such as Alliums, Beans, Brassicas, Greens, etc.

Before Sowing

Cold stratification: Both members who mentioned this agree on keeping the seeds in baggies. One keeps them in the fridge. The other in the freezer.

What We’re Starting and When

Early February: storage onions and celery.

March 5: peppers (colored bell, jalapeno, cayenne, paprika), celery, marjoram, oregano, lobelia, snapdragons. Others don’t start their peppers and eggplant until March 15.

March 12 to 19: thunbergia, petunias, thyme, catnip, and peanuts.

April 1: nasturtium, tomatoes (cherry/all colors, plum and slicers), dill, zinnia, and marigolds.

April 15: Another member starts her tomatoes in mid-April. These will be moved into a greenhouse and then transplanted outdoors once the June weather settles, oftentimes after June 15 th .

Here’s her system:
Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants are started in Kordpac pots in rows, then transplanted into 32-cell flats, and then into cardboard half-gallon milk cartons (with either the bottoms cut out or with good holes in the bottom).

This grower cuts the bottoms (and tops) off, which makes for easier storage. However, without bottoms, the cartons should be placed in a wooden flat to keep the soil in place. These larger containers allow the plants to really develop a good root system before being transplanted. Label the milk cartons. When transplanting, slide the carton up, exposing the roots that will go into the ground. The carton then becomes a collar around the lower part of the plant and a label showing the variety. One can use a utility knife to slice through the corners of the carton to make transplanting easier.

May 1: cukes, squashes, and basil. Another member doesn’t start her cukes and squashes until June 1 st , putting the seeds in bottomless milk cartons in the greenhouse and then transplanting as soon as the first roots show at the bottom.

Potting Soil
Black Gold organic seed starter and/or Coast of Maine organic seed starter for purchased soil mix. Another member makes her own from five parts of Peat moss, 3 parts vermiculite, and 5 parts her own compost, plus some organic fertilizer.

Heat

Most seeds will benefit from a little indirect heat while germinating. Several members use heating pads until the seeds germinate. Another member has a Finnish fireplace where the soapstone hearth acts as a heating pad. Everyone agrees that the plants should be removed from the heat once they germinate.

Watering
Until plants get their true leaves, watering with a spray bottle seems to help prevent damping off.

Lighting

Everyone agrees that windows do not provide enough light for healthy seedlings. Most members use grow lights – either regular LED bulbs or full spectrum LED  bulbs.