Seed starting indoors for winter gardening enjoyment

Seed

starting indoors for winter gardening enjoyment

Starting seed

indoors is one way for gardeners to alleviate "cabin fever"

and make it through those cold winter months, while still enjoying their

favorite hobby.

Moisture, temperature

and ventilation are all very important to good seed germination. Other

seed starting essentials are light, containers, growing mediums, and seed.

Light

There are only

two types of light from which to choose.

Sunlight

is ideal, but seedlings need anywhere from 12 (cooler locations) to16

hours of sunlight per day to grow and thrive. Since this is impossible

in winter months, artificial light can be used in place of or in conjunction

with sunlight. Place containers on windowsills or below windows.

Artificial

light should be placed about 1-3 inches above seedlings for the first

few weeks, then raised to 4-6 inches above your seedlings until transplant

time.

Incandescent

light does not have a very wide spectrum.

Fluorescent

light is the best source of artificial light.

Grow lights

are expensive, and results are comparable to that of fluorescent lights.

Whichever type

of light you use, your seedlings will need a rest period with no light

at night (like we all do). Also, rotate the seedling trays so that the

seedlings do not get spindly. Mirrors or aluminum foil can be used to

reflect the light and give the seedlings the fullest benefit of the light

available to them.

Containers

The only requirement

of your seed-starting container is that it hold 1-2 inches of soil and

has good drainage. Individual containers are preferable because the plant's

roots systems will be less disturbed when they are transplanted to the

soil. Square or rectangular flat containers make better use of space and

moisture retention. Covers provide humidity and give a greenhouse effect.

Growing mediums

Growing mediums

should be weed free and have the ability to retain moisture. Plain garden

soil is not a good choice as it hardens and young seedlings cannot penetrate

through it. You can make your own using materials like vermiculite, perlite,

peat moss and sphagnum moss. Good planting mixes are also available.

Seed

Seed should be

of good quality. Find a reputable seed supplier and stick with them. Read

descriptions and choose cultivars with qualities that are important to

you. Check seed packet information to find out whether the seed you want

to grow has special care requirements. Trading seed is another way of

getting the types of seed you desire. Make sure the packets are clearly

labeled with type of seed and care requirements.