Ornamentals & Flower Seed Sowing Dates

Get ahead on your gardening by starting seeds indoors and producing your own transplants. With a little planning, a few supplies and tools, plus some know-how, you’ll be on your way to seed starting success. Plant these seeds indoors, under lights, six to eight weeks before transplanting into the garden. Especially small seeds (including nicotiana, petunia and snapdragon) should be broadcast on a small seed tray. Once the seedlings have their first true leaves, carefully tease them apart and transplant into separate growing cells.

Keep in mind that indoor seedlings require ideal conditions to thrive. Placing starts on a window sill often will suffice. Check the back of the seed packet to see what temperature your seeds need. As a rule, the optimal temperature for germination is often 5-10 degrees warmer than the optimal temperature for growth. Water accordingly; moisture is critical for germinating seeds. They like a moist but not soggy environment. As gardeners everywhere begin the gardening season, these suggestions should help in raising strong healthy plants for enjoyment in the months to come.

Seeds exist in a state of dormancy, absorbing oxygen, giving off carbon dioxide, and slowly using up their stored food reserves. During this process, the seed continually monitors the external environment waiting for ideal conditions specific to the particular seed. Once the ideal conditions occur, the seed breaks dormancy and germinates. The seedling gathers energy through its leaves through the process of photosynthesis and absorbs nutrients and water from the soil through the roots. As gardeners, our goal is to provide the optimal environment for germination and seedling growth.

For planting, use a seed starting mix that is “soil-less”. You can make your own, or buy ready-made products at our garden center. These mixes are light, and sterile. They are usually made up of a combination of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite. Avoid using garden soil. It is too heavy for tender seedlings. When sowing seeds, pre-moisten the mix so the seeds are not disturbed by water after planting. It should be about the dampness of a wet sponge. Lighting is optimal for the best growth rate. Next, cover the trays with a plastic lid that allows light through but holds moisture in. Plastic bags work well. With adequate moisture, condensation will develop inside this tent or cover. Two 40-watt florescent bulbs in a shop light will do the trick and is inexpensive. Place your tray or containers under the lights and positioned just above the container cover. The lights should stay on for about 16 hours each day.

Keep an eye on the seeds daily. As soon as you notice them sprouting, remove the cover. Continue to add water as needed to keep the soil moist but not wet. Be sure to continue to raise your light, keeping it to within an inch or two from the tops of your sprouts. In about six weeks, the seedlings will be ready to transition into the garden.