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| Photo Credit: Donna W. Moramarco |
| Your early lessons in seed starting probably included sowing marigolds in milk cartons! |
It’s time to dispel the myth that only people with “green thumbs” can start seeds. Reflect back to your school days: Did you ever start marigold or grass seed in an old milk carton? Chances are your first lesson in seed starting was in grade school. And wasn’t it like watching a miracle unfold right before your eyes? (Heck, I’m still amazed that a tiny seed can produce a beautiful flower or provide food to eat!)
The hardest part about starting seeds for your garden is determining when to do it. The key is to know when your safe planting and last frost dates are. (Your safe planting date means just that: It’s the time when all danger of frost has passed and it’s safe to plant tender crops in the garden.) Fortunately, most seed packets can help you find your answer as to when you can start planting. But as a general rule, most annual and vegetable seeds can be started indoors 6-7 weeks before the outside planting time. (Of course, there are always exceptions, so do read the seed packet for particulars. Seed packets also include a wealth of useful information, including how many days it takes for seeds to germinate, as well as spacing and planting measurements.) That said, seed starting is a fun hobby for any age, and you don’t need an arsenal of supplies to do it – just a few essentials: - clean containers, pots or flats
- viable (or fresh) seed
- sunlight or artificial light
- temperatures between 60-75 degrees F
- soilless seed-starting mix (readily available at most garden centers and nurseries)
- dibble, pencil or the trusty finger
- water
- starter fertilizer
Ready to start? Let’s get sowing!
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