Fort Dodge Messenger, IA
02-10-07
Early planting helpful
Start seeds indoors
Compiled by SANDY MICKELSON, Messenger staff writer
A person shouldn’t have to admit stupidity. Sometimes, however, in an attempt to
get everything right, stupidity stands out like a neon suit at a black-tie affair.
Think back to the last Sunday in January, if you will, when we talked about
getting into the spring planting act. I’d put together a sidebar to that story, then
forgot to run it. The information is good, though, so I’m giving it to you now. It’s
from Iowa State University Web site at www.extension.iastate.edu
• Planting seeds early gives gardeners earlier flowering and harvests, and there
is a wider selection of plant varieties to pick from. Seeds are much less
expensive than plants.
• Start with fresh seed when possible. You can use seed saved from garden
plants, though some require specific conditions to break dormancy.
• To get the seeds off to a good start, the growing medium should be loose and
free of diseases, fungus spores and weed seeds. Soil-less mixes are ideal for
supplying the required conditions for starting seeds.
• Like the soil mix, containers should be free of disease organisms. Buy
containers specifically made for starting seeds or use what you have, such as
plastic food containers. They need to be sturdy and washed with soapy water
then sterilized using a bleach-and-water solution and rinsed afterward. Poke
small drain holes in non-porous containers. Fill the containers with soil, but do
not pack it. Instead, water it thoroughly before planting seeds and let it soak in.
• For purchased seeds, always read the directions on depth and spacing on the
back of the package, which also will give information on light requirements and
days to germination.
• After sowing, water with a fine mist and cover with clear plastic wrap or some
type of clear cover to hold the moisture in. Most seeds need to be warm to
germinate at a temperature between 75 and 90 degrees.
• Once seedlings appear, remove plastic cover and place them either in a sunny
window or under fluorescent lights. The light should be 4 to 8 inches above the
seedlings for 12 to 16 hours a day.
• After a second pair of leaves emerge, plants need to be thinned or transplanted
into bigger containers. Keep plants moist, but not too wet, and apply frequent
light fertilizer. Don’t over-fertilize because that can burn young plants.
• Putting plants directly in the garden helps ensure stronger seedlings that aren’t
exposed to competing weeds, heavy rains or pests.
• Plants will handle their transition outdoors better if they’re toughened up indoors
before exposing them to the elements. For about a week, stop fertilizing, water
less often and lower the temperature a couple of degrees. Get seedlings used to
being outside gradually during a week or so by putting them in a sheltered
location away from strong wind and exposing them to more direct sunshine each
day. Keep soil moist and protect again possible frost.
• When planting in the ground, be careful not to damage roots and try to plant in
late afternoon on a cloudy day. At the time of planting, fertilize with two
tablespoons of a complete fertilizer, such as 12-12-12 per gallon of water. The
first number refers to nitrogen, the second to phosphorus, the third to potassium.
The numbers tell the percentage of that nutrient in the bag.
Contact Sandy Mickelson at (515) 573-2141 or smickelson@messengernews.net