Success with transplants

I do a combination of direct seeding and transplanting throughout the garden season.  Raising your own transplants can be economical and allow you to grow the varieties you want, instead of the few that are available at the store, and can give you a head start in the garden if conditions aren’t exactly right for direct seeding.  This time of year too, you can start the seeds outside, and take advantage of the natural light and warmth of late spring temperatures.

Usually the transplant “season” starts here in March with warm weather crops, like tomatoes and peppers that need to gain substantial growth before being planted out.  Usually at the same time I start some new salad greens and early brassicas to fill in where the overwintered crops need a little help. 

Never one to really do what I am told, I use potting soil for seed starting instead of a sterile seed starting mix.  Once the true leaves appear, the baby plants need food and if I use potting soil that gives me some time before I have to start fertilizing the starts.  Frequent watering is necessary, but tends to wash out the nutrients, so I have found the potting soil to be a good compromise.  Knock on wood, I haven’t had a problem with damping off either, so I suspect that problem isn’t necessarily caused by less than sterile conditions.

I use plastic flats and cell packs that I have had for years.  When not in use I store them out of the sunlight to extend their life.  They fit my heat mats, are easy to move around, and I can tell at a glance how many starts I have. 

Seeds need moisture but not wet feet.  So keep your seed starting mix moist.  Mine is in plastic bags, and I keep the bags closed and if the soil starts to dry out I water it.  Not too much, but just enough to keep it moist.

Fill your containers and press down the soil.  Seeds like a firm seed bed, whether you are planting directly in the ground or in a pot.

I’m old fashioned, my hands and hand tools work just fine in the garden and for this.  I have an Earthway seeder a neighbor gave me that I have never used.  For me touching that seed is important.  I’m funny that way.  I also never noticed until I tried to take this picture that I seed with my left hand!  (I’m not left-handed)

Seed like type of plants in the same flat.  Look for needs like germination times, temperature requirements, etc.  I don’t need to use heat mats now, but when it is colder, I don’t want peppers that may take 3 weeks to germinate with bok choy that may come up in 4 days!  So plan accordingly.

Have your labels ready beforehand too, sometimes I am seeding multiple varieties in the same flat and it is hard to tell where I am at, since the seeds may look very similar or very small and hard to see in the soil.

To seed I just put a few seeds in my hand and grasp several between my finger and thumb and roll the seeds out into the cells.  My fingers can feel the seeds and know what to do.  If you are starting really fine seed, like some herbs or flowers you can use a pencil tip to pick up the seed.  Sounds funny, but the seed will stick to the lead or the eraser and you can drop it in the cell.

I always plant two seeds per cell to make sure I will have one to plant out.  If you can, try to place the seeds in the center of the cell too, for good root development.

Cover lightly with soil, water and watch for germination.

In about 4 weeks you will have plants ready for the garden!

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