Seedling heat matts are useful for warming the soil temperature for faster and more uniform germination.
ing out before this time places unnecessary stress on seed- lings, and can have a negative impact on overall plant health and harvest. Seedlings do not benefit particularly from being large
at transplanting time. And since many of us lack the space indoors to accommodate a lot of giant seedlings, it’s best not to fertilize seedlings until they actually go outdoors. Keeping them under intense lights until that time also helps to keep them stout and robust. It is certainly possible to start seedlings indoors with-
out using artificial lights, but plants tend to become leggy and tall in these conditions as the stems stretch to reach a brighter source of light. It really is worth investing in some basic seed starting equipment to help produce strong transplants. Vegetables to start indoors each spring include peppers,
tomatoes, eggplants, melons, cucumbers, celery, leeks and onions. All of these crops benefit from an early start.
When it’s time to transplant them into containers or into the garden, use a mixture of worm castings and a complete organic fertilizer 4-4-4 mixed into the soil beneath each transplant. The worm castings help reduce transplant shock, and the sudden flush of soil fertility produces rapid growth for a great early start to the season. Perennial flowers also benefit from the same early indoor
treatment. In the case of perennials, many will bloom in the first year if allowed an early start, including echinacea and rudbeckia. Strawberries will produce fruit in the first year if they are given a really early start in December or January. Tender annual flowers need a head start as well. The
shocking blue lobelia that are so familiar in window boxes and hanging baskets are native to sub-tropical Africa, and will quickly perish if transplanted when nights are still cold. It’s very simple to scatter their dust-like seeds on the surface of some pre-moistened seedling soil — and much
Terrariums help to maintain a warmer environment that encourages plant growth.
localgardener.net
Artificial lights are helpful for starting seeds indoors. T5 full spectrum flourescent lights are readily available through seed catalogues and at most nurseries.
Early Spring 2016 • 17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40