Tomatoes, peppers and eggplants
require a long growing season, so they are almost always
started indoors. Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce,
melons and onions can be started either indoors for
an early crop or outdoors for a fall crop, depending
on variety and climate. Begonias, zinnias, coleus,
petunias and impatiens are among the flowers recommended
for seeding indoors.
What You Will Need
For Indoor Planting
Seed - Use
fresh, quality seeds. Seedway varieties are specifically
selected for high performance.
Soil Mix - Select
a weed and disease free medium with good water holding
and drainage.
Lighting - When
seedlings emerge, remove the cover and move the tray
to a brightly lit area. Fluorescent lights provide
the light plants need.
Containers - Start
seeds in a sterile container with good drainage,
2 - 3 inches deep. After emergence, use peat or plastic
pots.
Fertilizer - As
young seedlings develop, give them a boost with fertilizer.
10 Easy Steps For
Indoor Planting
1. Fill
the tray within 1/2 inch of the top with a growing
medium. Avoid using unsterilized garden soil due
to the potential for damage from diseases, weeds
and insects.
2. Water the soil mixture
with warm water. The soil should be thoroughly and
evenly moist but not soggy.
3. Mark seed rows
about 2 inches apart and sprinkle seeds along
the rows. Cover vegetable seeds with 1/8 inch
of soil. Some flower seeds require light for
germination, so check seed packages for specific
information.
4. Place the
tray in a warm area and elevate it so warm
air can circulate around it, or use a heating
cable. Different varieties germinate best
at different temperatures, but usually 65-70ºF
is fine.
5. Mist the
soil regularly so it doesn’t dry
out. To prevent moisture loss, cover
the tray with a pane of glass or sheet
of plastic, or put the whole tray in
a plastic bag.
6. When
the seedlings emerge, remove the
plastic or glass cover and move the
tray to a brightly lit area. Fluorescent
lights suspended 6 inches above the
plants for 14 hours a day provide
necessary light and prevent leggy
plants.
7. Once
the plants have developed two
sets of leaves, transplant the
strongest ones into individual
containers.
8. Keep
the plants in a bright location.
Moisten the soil regularly.
Fertilize every three weeks.
If the light comes from only
one direction, turn the plants
every few days.
9. One
or two weeks before garden
planting time, move the
plants to a cold frame
or protected place outdoors
for a few hours each
day, while reducing the
frequency of watering
to condition the plants
to the outside environment.
10. When
the outside soil
temperature reaches
60-65 degrees F and
there is no longer
any danger of frost,
set the plants into
your garden and protect
them from the wind.
Place peat pots below
the soil level to
prevent drying out.
Water thoroughly. |
