Seeds and Bulbs

I love planting new bulbs. Burying them in the ground in the fall, I know that, though the winter can be long and harsh, spring will see the first tender shoots greeting the world.

Garden Seeds – Indoor Growth, When to Plant

Seeds are a cost-effective way to add to your garden. “Sow dry and plant wet” is a common gardening rule. When sowing, check the weather channel and wait for a dry spell before taking them outside. You may lose seeds to mold and fungus if they are planted in wet soil. After sowing, use only enough water to coax them to germinate. Use your hand or your foot to pat the soil firm. Otherwise, cold or dry air can get in and harm the germinating shoots. Rake the soil fine and even before sowing for best results.

If sowing seeds indoors in preparation for outdoor planting, start with a clean, sterile tray or pot, and mix in either a seed starting soil mix or vermiculite or perlite mixed with compost or good soil. Seeds should be sowed thinly over the surface, unless the directions of the packet indicate a depth. If the seeds are very small and fine, mix them with fine sand to space them out more evenly.

Water lightly, or place the tray in water until the soil is moist. You can maintain the humidity by wrapping the tray or pot in plastic or a sheet of glass. Remove the covers when they start to sprout.

Plants are ready for the warm, spring outdoors when they have three pairs of leaves. Plant in moist, crumbly soil, and keep the soil damp for the first few days. The water will help the roots spread out into the ground. The degree of success is mainly due to the quality of the soil, so it is important to have nutrient-rich, organic fertilizer with dark compost.

Happy gardening!