The Best Methods for Starting Plants From Seeds

Starting Seeds Indoors

• Gardeners often start slow-growing seeds and annuals indoors to get a head start on the season. These plants are usually tender varieties that should be planted outdoors only after the last frost. Plant seeds in seed trays or peat cups, using a potting mix made specifically for seed starting. Most seeds should be covered with 1/4 inch or less of potting mix, but planting depth varies. The seeds must remain moist, but not soggy, to germinate. Spray the potting mix with water from a spray bottle and cover the seed tray with plastic wrap. Seeds need warm temperatures to germinate, so store them in a warm place, such as the top of the refrigerator. Water them as often as needed to keep the mix slightly moist. Once seeds germinate, they should be moved to a bright, sunny window or better yet, placed under fluorescent grow lights. They can be transplanted outdoors when they stand 3 to 4 inches tall.

Direct Sowing

• Not all seeds are good candidates for indoor growing. Some seeds, such as cucurbits (Cucumis spp.) and beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), don't transplant well. Others grow so quickly that there's no need to start them indoors. These seeds should be sown directly in the garden. Before planting, remove all weeds and debris. Amend the soil with 2 inches of compost or manure. Rake the seedbed carefully to level it and break down any dirt clods. Seeds need finely textured soil to germinate. Warm-season seeds, such as beans and corn (Zea mays), need warm temperatures. Wait until after the last frost to plant these crops. Cool-season crops, such as peas (Pisum sativum) and lettuce (Lactuca sativa), can safely be planted in spring when temperatures are cool. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy. Floating row covers, sold at garden stores, accelerate germination by keeping the ground warm and moist. They also keep out insect and animal pests.

Specialty Growing

• Another option for starting seeds is to use cold frames or hoop tunnels. A cold frame is a simple wooden frame placed in a protected, sunny garden area. The cold frame has a plexiglass or fiberglass lid that allows sunlight to penetrate and keeps the area warm. Think of a cold frame as a simplified green house. Gardeners use cold frames to start seeds before moving them to the main garden area, or to grow leafy, cold-resistant crops through the winter. Hoop tunnels are simple devices that any gardener can use. A frame, usually made of rounded PVC pipes, is stretched over the garden area. Agricultural fabric or plastic is attached to the frame and seeds are planted directly in the garden or raised bed. The agricultural fabric keeps the seeds and plants warm. Hoop tunnels don't stay as warm as cold frames, but they can extend the growing season by several weeks on both ends.

Considerations

• No matter what method you use to start seeds, a few basic guidelines can ensure success. First, choose disease-resistant seeds adapted to your area. Although you can save seeds from the previous year, fresh seeds usually have the highest rates of germination. Seeds must remain moist to germinate, but they'll rot in cold, soggy soil.