Spring might not be here yet, but that’s no reason to put
off getting your hands dirty. February
is the perfect time to start seeds indoors for spring flower and vegetable
gardens. Here’s what you need to get
started:
- A strong light source. Shop lights with fluorescent tubes, available from hardware stores, are an easy and affordable option. A combination of warm and cool lights works perfectly for seed starting. Just make sure that lights are suspended from chains so they are easy to adjust—the light source needs to be 1-2 inches above the seedlings. Placing the lights too far away from the seedlings will result in thin, leggy plants that won’t mature properly.
- A good heat source. If you’re starting plants in a chilly attic or basement, you’ll need a little heat. Many summer vegetable seeds simply won’t germinate if temperatures are cold. Garden centers sell heated mats that fit perfectly under a seedling flat. It’s a worthwhile investment. When you use a heat mat, you lose a lot of moisture. So get a clear dome to put over your seedlings to keep moisture in.
- A great seed-starting mix like Light Warrior. Seeds germinate best in a grow medium that stays uniformly damp and is light enough to allow easy root development. Light Warrior offers the added benefit of beneficial microbes to stimulate root growth and enhance fertilizer uptake, humic acid to help in seed germination, and earthworm castings to help plants thrive.
- Grow Big Liquid Plant Food to nourish seedlings once they start to germinate. Young plants need a complete nutrient solution to get them off to the right start, so stock up now and plan to start feeding seedlings about five days after you plant them. For seedlings, use a lower dose than package instructions.
That’s it! Follow directions on seed packets to make sure you plant seeds at the right depth. We’ll be back in a month to talk about what young plants need after their first few weeks.
