February 16, 2005
Woodbury Bulletin
Betsy Halden

Starting your garden indoors – growing your plants from seeds

Growing plants from seeds can be a fascinating aspect of gardening. You can try new varieties and colors of plants that may not be available in garden stores later in the spring. Here are some suggestions to get started with growing seeds indoors.

Start with the packet The seed packet gives a great deal of information about how to grow the seed. Check the “Freshness date” - this usually appears as “Packed for 2005.” Older seed, unless it has been stored under optimal conditions, will not have as high a germination rate as fresher seed. The seed packet will also tell you when to start your seed indoors. I count on starting seeds 6- 8 weeks before putting them outdoors. Do not start the seedlings too soon.

Seeds will grow best if they receive five things: sterilized seed planting medium, light, heat, air and water.

Seed planting mixtures: Commercial seed-starting mixes are usually composed of vermiculite and peat, without any true soil. They are sterile, light weight, free from weed seeds, and easy to use. Do not use regular garden soil.

Start seeds in cell packs with four or more divisions or use small peat pots. Peat pots work well for seedlings that don’t transplant well or are known to outgrow cell packs. Individual pots keep seedling roots separated, making it easier to later transplant the seedlings into the garden. Charlie and Barb Prokop, Woodbury gardeners and experienced at starting plants from seeds, told me that in order to minimize disease, it they use only clean, sterile pots and planting flats.

Light: Adequate light is essential for success in growing young plants. Some seeds germinate better in darkness while others germinate better in light. The seed packet should tell you.

Once the seeds have germinated place them in bright light. In Minnesota we usually need more than a south-facing window to grow seedlings. You may want to use an adjustable shop light fixture with two fluorescent lights. Place the lights no more than 4 inches above the seedlings. Raise the lights as the seedlings grow taller. Some people hang fluorescent plant lights on chains, others use an adjustable light stand that is available in local garden stores. Plants need 12-16 hours of light daily. Charlie and Barb Prokop use a timer on their lights to ensure the plants receive the light they need. Lack of light is the major cause of elongated, skinny stems. Don’t leave lights on continuously as many plants need a dark period each night to develop properly.

Heat: Seeds need warmth to germinate. Normal room temperature or a little warmer is usually sufficient to start most seeds. Some growers use heating mats to warm the growing medium and maintain a bottom heat of 70 F. Jennifer Arndt, also a Woodbury gardener who grows plants from seeds, emphasized that it is the warmth in the growing medium that affects the growth of the seedlings, not the air temperature.

Air: Seeds, like plants, need air to breathe. The most common way that seeds and plants are kept from the air they need is over watering or a lack of drainage.

Water: The seed flat or container should remain uniformly moist for 7 to 14 days while seeds are swelling and beginning to germinate. You can wrap the sowing container in plastic or use the plastic dome on a seed starting kit. Do not allow the medium around the seed to dry out. Beware of over watering. Seedlings do not need fertilizer until they have several sets of true leaves.

Come to the Spring Fling on March 12. All novice and experienced gardeners are invited to the Washington County Horticulture Society Spring Fling, March 12, Oakland Junior High, 820 Manning Avenue, Lake Elmo, 8:30 am – 2:45 pm. Debbie Lonnee will give the morning keynote on “Exciting new Annual Varieties for 2005,” and Don Engebretson will present the afternoon keynote. Concurrent session topics include “Cold Climate Ornamental Grasses,” “New Shrubs for Home Landscapes,” “Putting Personality into Garden Photography,” “Joy of Container Gardening,” “Choosing the Right Daylilies for Your Garden.” The Spring Fling is always an exciting day. It provides an opportunity to meet local gardeners and to learn about current gardening topics. The cost is $30 which includes a catered hot lunch, speakers, raffle, and door prizes. To register, please send a check payable to “WCHS Spring Fling” to WCHS, 777 Greenway Ave., Oakdale, MN 55128. Please include your email address. Deadline for registration is March 5.

Betsy Halden can be reached at eahalden@comcast.net.