Sowing the Seeds
After browsing through the catalogs and nurseries, and selecting your seeds, what next?
First, read the back of your packets and find out how your particular seed propagates best. Some do better when planted directly into the garden, while others fare much better by being started earlier indoors.
When sowing your seeds directly into the garden, wait until after the last frost and then follow directions found on the packet.
To sow your seeds
indoors, start about 6-8 weeks before last frost. This will vary depending upon
what zone you live in. Seeds can be planted in most types of containers, (but my favorite are the peat pots for
seed starting that come in a twelve pack. Sort of like an egg carton). These can later be
placed directly in the soil.
Garden soil is not suitable for starting seeds indoors. Seeds should be sown in a mixture
of 1 part milled sphagnum and 1 part Q-Roc, a crushed stone product (ready-made seed
starting mediums are also sold at garden supply shops). To use it, add a little warm water
and mix until it seems moist. Then fill the containers to within half an inch from the
top. Place several seeds in each container(3 or 4 spread apart). Press then gently against
the surface and cover them with a pinch of additional soil.
Make sure you label each pot or section for future reference.
Place in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight. Check the pots every morning to see if
the soil is moist (keeping a spray bottle nearby will help). Once sprouts appear, place in
direct sunlight.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, pot up seedlings individually. Allow them
to root fully.
When the seedlings are ready, harden them off gradually by leaving the young plants
outside during the day (preferably in a somewhat sheltered area). If you prefer to leave
them out, try covering them with the bottom half of 2 liter soda bottles. Once weaned into
a natural climate, either plant them directly into the garden or outside container.