on Yahoo!Success in gardening is always the result of combining sound gardening practices, grade
A materials and good timing. This is especially true of starting from seed.
Good timing is essential when starting from seed. You have to sow, transplant and set out each variety of plant according to its needs.
It's important to read seed package instructions carefully, and if they are not specific enough for you to understand, ask for professional advice at your garden center.
Some seeds should be started February or before March 15th. These include such favorites as Aster, Carnation, Dianthus, Dusty Miller, Nicotiana, Pansy, Phlox, Portulaca, Salvia, Snapdragon, Celery, Eggplant, Peppers, Watermelon and Tomato.
You have until March 20th to seed Castor Bean, Celosia, Dahlia, Marigold, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Cucumber and Onion.
Anytime between February and the end of March is the right time to start Alyssum, Kohlrabi and Lettuce.
Cosmos, Nasturtium and Zinnia can be started in the first ten days of April.
For the best success rate in starting your garden from seed, always use fresh, high quality seeds, clean and sterilized seeding trays, a light-textured growing medium and the best advice you can get.
There are some seeds which need to be soaked overnight, or even frozen for a few days in order to germinate. Carnation seeds, for instance, require a light freezing for 5 days before planting in order to germinate successfully.
Some seeds (Nasturtium and Pansy) need darkness to germinate, but most varieties need good light to germinate. And all varieties need good light to grow once they HAVE germinated.
There are several seed catalogues available at this time of year. Most catalogues not only provide seed descriptions but growing tips as well, and many offer garden supplies through the mail. There are many free catalogue available up on application from seed companies.
Starting your plants from seed offers some distinct advantages. You can select NEW varieties that may not be available yet in bedding plants. And if you care for your seedlings well enough to bring them to maturity in your garden, you can save yourself some money.
Starting plants from seed may seem like a complicated process at the outset, but once you gain some experience at it, it will become second nature to you.
Experience and good timing are the keys to success!
1 Comment
LEAVE YOUR COMMENT
You must sign in to leave a commentcharacter(s) remaining