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| For more links about starting seeds, and phone numbers where free cagtalogs can be obtained, click on next below. |
| The graphics on this page belong exclusively to Angel Acres Garden. Click on the logo above to view my "Free Sets". Page last updated on April 30, 2005. |
| Germinate Seeds At The Right Temperature Some seeds need very cool temperatures to germinate sucessfully (50-60 degrees). Others need considerable warmth (75-80) degrees. Check the package. You can use a cheap thermometer and place it around your house to find the coolest and warmest spots. Once they've sprouted, give them tons of light--more light than you can imagine. Directly in front of a south-facing window works, and so does putting them just 3 or 4 inches underneath a fluorescent tube. But success can really be achieved using grow lights, but remember, shade loving plants such as impatiens don't require such intense lighting. |
| Water Carefully You don't want to wash out the seeds or delicate seedlings, and you also have to keep the soil just barely moist. Too wet and the seedlings will damp off. Too dry and the baby seedlings will shrivel up and die. Some advise watering with a mister, others by setting seedlings in a pan of water and watering from the bottom up. You can slso just dribble the water from your hand. You can also use a spray bottle that puts out a gentle mist. |
| Statr Seeds At The Right Time. Some seedlings need to be started 10 weeks before your region's last frost dayt; some should be started 2 weeks before. After that frost date, you can then plant the seedlings outdoors. If you don't know your region's average last frost date, |
| Use The Right Soil Get one of the soil-free mixes made specifically for starting seeds. It makes all the difference. And whan seeds need to be covered lightly with soil, use vermiculite. It's a different color so you can see what you have covered, and it's also reputed to prevent damping off, the fungal disease that kills tiny seedlings. For other tips on avoiding damping off, |
| Below Are Some Tips For Starting Seeds Sucessfully. Know the seed. Different seeds need different growing c onditions. The best seed companies put extensive directions specific to those seed on each package and often give you a gree booklet on starting seeds. I promise, I'm not on their payroll, but my very favorite for this is Park Seeds. :) You can get a free catalog by callin 800/845-3369 or to go to their web site. |
| GET GROWING! There are several very useful pages of step-by-step instructions (with photos) on starting seed at the Better Homes and Gardens web site. for extensive instructions or for shorter but still useful instructions. |
| EASIEST ANNUALS Bachelor's Buttons Celosia Cosmos Hollyhocks (biennial) Marigolds Pansies Snapcragons Sunflowers Sweet Peas Zinnias |
| EASIEST PERENNIALS Black-eyed Susans Coreopsis Purple Coneflower Shasta Daisies Yarrow EASIEST VEGETABLES Cucumbers Eggplant Lettuces Melons Peppers Tomatos |
| Well, it's that time of year again, when all of us passionate gardeners start pouring through seed catalogs, and dreaming of the wonderful gardens we will plant this spring! Below, is some information on seed starting, phone numbers where you can order free seed catalogs, and links for obtaining additional information. Starting seeds is a bit like baking bread, it requires a bit of a knack. But once you get the Knack, you're unstoppable! You may not always get 100% germination, but 75 or even 50% is plenty! I mean, who needs 50 tomato plants? Seed starting is so worth the effort. You can save yourself hundreds of dollars, and experiment with some wonderful plants you will never find at your local nursery. Also, since the seed selection is so much better than that of plants, you can do things like start an entire flat of red snapdragons, or pink impatiens, instead of having to settle for mixed color seedlings at the nursery ( a planting of a single color has much more impact!) So, let's talk about starting seeds, and having success with it, so that you too, can save yourself mega bucks. :) IT'S ALL IN THE SEEDS One of the most important things is to choose seeds that are easy. Some are incredibly difficult, requiring freezing and germination times of weeks and weeks. Generally, the shorter the germination time, the easier a seed is to start. Read the seed packet or catalog description, looking for those seeds with germination of a week or less. Also, annuals are generally easier to start from seed than perennials. Here's a list to help you get started. |
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