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Many gardeners like to start their own seeds. In doing so, they can grow a much greater variety of vegetables, flowers, and herbs than if they just go down to the local garden center and buy packs of greenhouse transplants.

With many plants, you need to get a jump on the typical Minnesota growing season by starting the plants indoors a few weeks before it is time to plant them outside.

It doesn't take a big investment in equipment to raise a few seedlings at home, but there are a few things you need to know to be successful.

Temperature-Many seeds are native to warmer areas with longer growing seasons. They are programmed to grow only in warm soil. That is why people who try to start seeds on windowsills will often have poor results. Some people start them on the top of their refrigerator or use fluorescent lights placed 1" above the containers to keep the soil evenly warm. Probably no other factor will speed up germination time more than a constant warm temperature.

Soil and Containers

Use a sterile soil mix to prevent damping off disease. Although you can make your own, it is much easier to purchase it. Be sure you are buying a seed-starting mix and not regular potting soil. Any container that will hold at least 2" of soil can be used, but it must also be sterile.

Damping off fungus-If your plants suddenly keel over at the soil line and die, you have damping-off fungus. Throw out every one of the infected seedlings. Then make sure those that didn't get infected have plenty of ventilation and not too much water. Don't reuse any infected soil mix. Wash any containers with a weak bleach solution (10 percent) and let them air dry before using again. If a sterile soil mix and container are used, there shouldn't be any problem with damping-off.

Moisture

Seeds need to be kept constantly moist in order to germinate. Don't let the soil dry out and don't keep it saturated.

Light

Without adequate light, the seedlings will end up leggy, pale, and weak. If a windowsill is going to be the source of light, be sure to rotate the plants every day or two (they will grow toward the window). Be sure the windowsill doesn't cool down drastically at night, which is a common problem.

Growing seedlings under florescent tubes will often produce the best results. Don't use regular household incandescent bulbs, 90 percent of it is lost to heat, and it doesn't have the right spectrum for plants to grow properly.

However, expensive grow-light tubes are not needed. Use a pair of standard 4 to 6 foot fluorescent "shop lights." You can combine a warm-white tube with a cool-white or daylight tube for the best possible light mix.

Use a fixture with chains that will allow the lights to be easily adjusted up and down. Once germination occurs, the light should be practically on top of the seedlings––no more than an inch away. Simply move the light fixture up as the seedlings get taller. Light duration is important! Sixteen hours a day is fine. Too little, and they will not develop properly. An inexpensive plug-in dial timer is a nice convenience.

Timing

We are always anxious to get started at the first hint of spring. Some seeds need to be started 10 or more weeks ahead and some only need two to four weeks. Those cute little seedlings are going to take up a lot more space when they need to be transplanted to larger containers. You might have space for a couple of tomatoes in five gallon buckets, but do you really have room for 20 of them? Research has shown that when transplants of different sizes are planted outdoors the smaller ones will soon catch up to the largest ones.

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The next class in the spring series offered by the Chisago County Master Gardeners is “Seed Starting and Planting Cool Season Veggies,” taught by Master Gardener, Richard Hanson, Tuesday, March 28, at the Senior Center in North Branch at 6:30 p.m. There is a FREE class. Richard has been starting seeds indoors for many years. Come and learn how and when to start your own vegetable and flower transplants. He will also talk about vegetables that grow best when planted outside in early spring when the soil is still cool. There will be plenty of time for questions.

The brochure for the entire 'Growing Edibles' series is on our web page in the 'Hot Topics' box: http://www.extension.umn.edu/county/chisago

You can also call 651-674-4417 to have a brochure mailed to you. Although walk-ins are welcome, we ask that you pre-register so that enough handout materials will be available.

The Master Gardener voicemail is available all year long at 651-674-4417. During office hours ask for the Master Gardener voicemail, after hours, select ext. 18.

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