Seed starting made simple

By Ted Schaaf
Gardens on Spring Creek

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Spring is in the air after what seems like an unusually cold winter, and gardeners are the first to poke around outside looking for signs of new life.

Those of us who have been in this region for a while know that spring-like days only tease us into thinking spring is here. So what's a gardener to do? Start seeds, you say? Who, me? It's really very simple. Here's how...

The first step is to buy seed. After years of propagating, I still get excited when I pick up a packet of seed because I'm holding the beginnings of new life right in my hand. The next purchase is potting mix. Choose wisely. All potting mixes are not created equal. Fertilome is one of my favorites because it's a lightweight, soil-less mix that seedlings love. Whatever potting mix you choose, stick with it. Just like a good cake mix, you'll come to know what to expect from it.

At the Gardens on Spring Creek, I've had my best luck seeding into row trays. These 10-inch by 20-inch trays hold 20 rows of seedlings. They hold just enough soil, about an inch, to jump-start your seedlings. Seeds require two conditions for germination: high temperature and high humidity. I recommend germinating seed using a heat mat, which will raise soil temperatures to 70-plus degrees. A clear plastic dome that fits over your seed tray will provide the required humidity.

Light is required to sustain all life on earth. To provide proper light for your seedlings, you'll need to create a seed table. An unused card table works well. Basic shop lights can be suspended above the table by chains to allow for adjustment as your plants grow. Keep your lights 2 to 6 inches from your plants. There's no need to buy expensive plant bulbs, as cool white bulbs will provide just what your plants need for healthy, vegetative growth. (I found a great 24-inch shop light at Wal-Mart.) Two light fixtures will light 5 square feet of growing space. Because plants need down time just as we do, it's good to buy a timer and set it to run from 14 to 16 hours.

Now comes the fun part. After you have planted your seeds, keep them moist using a misting bottle. Soon your plants will emerge from their protective seed coats, bringing with them the joy of new life. Your babies, now called seedlings, will first send up an amazing leaf called a cotyledon. This leaf contains stored food for your seedlings' early stage of life. After about a week, the first true leaves appear and your seedlings are ready to be moved into a larger home.

Transplanting

Transplanting is done by lifting clumps of plants out of the seed tray. I use a simple plant tag, but a plastic knife works as well. Next, gently separate the seedlings and plant them into cell packs. (Be sure to grab them by the leaf and not by the stem.) Cell packs are easy to work with and allow for lots of plants in a small area. By using cell packs, my small greenhouse at the Gardens produced more than 8,000 plants last year.

Fertilizing your plants can be accomplished in several ways. A water-soluble fertilizer such as Miracle-Grow works wonders. Use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon of water once a week. Another option is a slow-release fertilizer that is placed into the potting mix at the time of transplanting. For those organic gardeners, try a product called Yum Yum Mix that is also mixed into the potting soil. (I don't make up these names. Honest!)

It will take 8 to 12 weeks for most plants to reach maturity. Once they're mature, harden them off by slowly introducing them to the outside world. First, place them in the shade, bringing them in at night. Several days before planting outside, leave them out overnight. Remember, success builds confidence, so start with easy plants such as peppers and tomatoes. Marigolds, zinnias, basil and parsley are also fun and easy choices.

If you'd like to see a seeding operation first hand, just stop by the greenhouse at the Gardens on Spring Creek. We're preparing for our spring plant sale to benefit future development. The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Until next time, happy gardening!

Ted Schaaf is the horticulturist for the city's Gardens on Spring Creek, located off Centre Avenue about a half mile south of Prospect Road in Fort Collins. He works in a 1,600-square-foot greenhouse with dedicated volunteers.