NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
Hello,
I've been an amateur gardener for a few years, and I am interested in learning more. One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a little confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, and thanks for any advice! ---Nick |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
Nick,
The last frost is just that. If you go to GOOGLE or any other search engi= ne, ask for it for the region you are in. A gardener center close to your hom= e can tell you as well "seed starting formula"? Go to a store or gardener center that sell soil.= Look for a bag where it is written for seedling. Ask for it if you cannot= find it. To plant indoor, I get those trays, which come with little cella= and a plastic, transparent cover. To make it easier, I mix the soil with water in a small bucket and than fill the individual cells. This way I do= not need to water them. Then I read the instruction for each plant. I put= between 4 to 9 seeds per cells, depending on the number of seeds I have. Every day or every two days I spray the cells with water (1 squish or 2).= To plant outdoor, I put more seeds than I need (some may not germinate). If = too many spring out, remove the extra ones as directed. Always follow the instructions for cover or not, the depth to plant or any other instructio= ns given. I just started two years ago and I have had great success with my seedlin= gs and I love it. This winter, I planted more than 40 types of seeds. We hav= e increased our flowerbeds and prepared new ones last fall. They need to be= filled this spring. You can get other information on the WEB. There is so much to learn out there. Good luck. Fran=E7oise. Nick Thudick wrote: Hello, I've been an amateur gardener for a few years, and I am interested in learning more. One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a littl= e confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive= if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, and thanks for any advice! ---Nick |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
I go to the dollar store or use old milk jugs and plant my garden seed
early.I also keep them outside unlike some who germinate them indoors,just cover them if it gets to cold freezing is a good time to cover them.Plant as the directions on the package gives you to do. keep wet till they sprout and moist after that for about 2weeks .There after water when dry.Last frost plant in ground and enjoy .The thing about gardening that is fun is its not a exact thing experiment with it if you come up with something that works that's different share it that's what it is all about.I have been gardening for about 30 years now and always learn something every day and that's the truth.Have fun. Best regards Tom C. "Françoise" wrote in message ... Nick, The last frost is just that. If you go to GOOGLE or any other search engine, ask for it for the region you are in. A gardener center close to your home can tell you as well "seed starting formula"? Go to a store or gardener center that sell soil. Look for a bag where it is written for seedling. Ask for it if you cannot find it. To plant indoor, I get those trays, which come with little cella and a plastic, transparent cover. To make it easier, I mix the soil with water in a small bucket and than fill the individual cells. This way I do not need to water them. Then I read the instruction for each plant. I put between 4 to 9 seeds per cells, depending on the number of seeds I have. Every day or every two days I spray the cells with water (1 squish or 2). To plant outdoor, I put more seeds than I need (some may not germinate). If too many spring out, remove the extra ones as directed. Always follow the instructions for cover or not, the depth to plant or any other instructions given. I just started two years ago and I have had great success with my seedlings and I love it. This winter, I planted more than 40 types of seeds. We have increased our flowerbeds and prepared new ones last fall. They need to be filled this spring. You can get other information on the WEB. There is so much to learn out there. Good luck. Françoise. Nick Thudick wrote: Hello, I've been an amateur gardener for a few years, and I am interested in learning more. One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a little confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, and thanks for any advice! ---Nick |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
On Sun, 30 Mar 2003 16:20:00 GMT, Nick Thudick
wrote: One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a little confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Usually described as "last frost date." It's an average of the date of last frost in a given area. It means, ON AVERAGE, there isn't freezing weather after that date. Ususally. Sort of. It doesn't mean "plant your tomatoes the following day." It's just a guideline that on, say, April 15th, it's time to get out there and prepare the beds and look for nighttime temperatures high enough to make plants happy within the next few weeks. Or perhaps, if you put out tomatoes on a pleasantly warm March 29th, there's a fair chance they're gonna get zapped. Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? Seed-starting mixtures, frequently soil-less, give seeds relatively ideal conditions to germinate and get started. They're meant to keep seeds moist, but not soggy, not promote the growth of fungus or mold, and be light enough for little new roots to take hold. They're for 'seed-starting', not 'whole life plant-growing.' The first hurdle in growing plants from seeds is to get the seeds to sprout. One wants to provide as much help as possible. And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. I think these are suggestions, not commandments. If seedlings are going to be transplanted to intermmediate or final homes, they can be sown more closely than the recommendations. Carrot seeds are tiny, and usually sown directly into the ground. You can place one seed every 3" and hope all will grow, or deposit every 1/2" (or closer) and be prepared to thin out for final spacing. There's a rhyme I can never remember about planting corn -- "one for the something, one for the crow, one for something else, and one to grow." That is, putting in 4 seeds with the expectation of one eventual plant. Squash and melon seeds are often planted 2 or 3 per 'hill' with the idea that the less promising seedlings will be sacrificed, but if only one grows, that one's the most promising. :-) |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
I would recomend getting the book "New Seed Starter's Handbook by Nancy
Bulbel. This book has all the information you need to learn how to grow from seed, and then some. It's a terrific reference. Susan "Nick Thudick" wrote in message ... Hello, I've been an amateur gardener for a few years, and I am interested in learning more. One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a little confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, and thanks for any advice! ---Nick |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
Wow! Some great advice, everyone.
Thanks! |
NEWBIE HELP: How to seed?
Nick,
Contact your University Extension office. They can sell you(for about one dollar) a seed planting guide, or answer any questions you may have. The guide tells you what dates to plant in your area. Where do you live? I may have info on how to contact the extension office in your area? Nick Thudick wrote: Hello, I've been an amateur gardener for a few years, and I am interested in learning more. One thing I've never understood is seeding. The directions are a little confusing, but I'd like to have more success. First, what is the "last heavy spring frost"? Also, what is a "seed starting formula"? I've read about soil-less mixtures. This boggles my mind. How the hell did these plants survive if they need to be started in soil-less mixtures, and then fertilized when their leaves emerge? And instructions like, "Sow seeds 6" apart"....does that mean take one seed and plant it 6" apart from the other one. I know that's probably it, but some of these seeds are pretty tiny, and I was wondering if it would be better to plant a few together. Sorry if these sound like stupid questions, and thanks for any advice! ---Nick |
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