Planting seeds is a learning experience for students.
NOCCA'S Press Street Gardens were used by Sprout NOLA to distributes seedlings to support family gardens while the culinary school was closed because of the COVID in 2020.
An eggplant seedling awaits planting.
Seedlings sit at the edge of a raised bed awaiting planting.
Planting seeds is a learning experience for students.
Now is a great time to start seeds to grow transplants for planting into flower and vegetable gardens in spring. Many annual flowers and vegetables take about six to eight weeks to produce transplants ready for the garden. Seeds of those plants started now will be ready to plant in late March or early April.
Containers for starting seeds should be clean, sturdy, have drainage holes and fit into the space available for growing the young plants.
Seeds may be planted thickly into a community container, such as plastic flats, trays, pots or other handy containers, and then transplanted into small individual containers when large enough.
Starting seeds this way initially saves space but involves additional labor transplanting the young seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough.
If you prefer, you can plant seeds directly into individual pots. Small clay or plastic pots, plastic cell packs, peat pots or foam or paper cups (punch holes for drainage) may be used.
Seedlings sit at the edge of a raised bed awaiting planting.
The medium used for starting seeds should be free from disease organisms, well-drained and of fine texture. You may use commercial potting soil mixes or mixes labeled specifically for starting seeds.
When planting a number of seeds in a community container, fill the container almost to the top with moistened medium, level it and gently firm with your hand. There are two ways to plant the seeds. The seeds may simply be evenly scattered or broadcast over the surface of the seed-starting mix. Or, if the container is large enough (such as a flat), you may plant the seeds in neat rows. You can even plant a different type of seeds in each individual row.
When planting in individual pots, plant two or three seeds per pot (all but one seedling will be pinched off if they all germinate).
NOCCA'S Press Street Gardens were used by Sprout NOLA to distributes seedlings to support family gardens while the culinary school was closed because of the COVID in 2020.
Once the seeds are placed on the surface, lightly cover them to the depth recommended on the seed package. Very fine seeds need not be covered.
As a rule, seeds should be covered to a depth of about two times their diameter. Label each pot promptly with the plant type, variety name and planting date. Don’t forget to do this.
Water the seeds in with a fine spray, being careful not to flood the container. Water as needed to keep the medium evenly moist but not soggy. Never let it dry out. You may slip the container into a clear plastic bag to maintain moisture without constant checking.
Place the container in a warm location. Light is not critical at this point unless the seeds need light to germinate. Generally, a range from 65 to 75 degrees F is best.
An eggplant seedling awaits planting.
Gentle bottom heat can speed germination and can be provided by special heating cables available at nurseries. If the weather is warm, the containers may be placed in a shady spot outside. Never allow plastic-covered containers to sit in direct sun indoors or out.
Watch daily for germination. The seed package should indicate the number of days required. Remove plastic and move the container to bright light as soon as germination begins. This is very important. Water regularly as seedlings are quickly killed if allowed to dry out.
Once the seeds have germinated, they must be promptly given the best possible growing conditions to ensure stocky, vigorous transplants.
Light is especially critical. If the seedlings begin to stretch and look leggy, they are not getting enough light. You may grow the seedlings in a sheltered location outside if conditions are warm enough.
Seedlings of sun-loving plants should be grown in locations that receive about six hours of sun. Seedlings of plants that prefer shadier conditions should receive two or three hours of morning sun.
Right now, it’s too chilly to put containers of seeds outside to grow. If you have a greenhouse, that is an excellent place to start seeds and raise transplants. If you are trying to grow your seedlings indoors, you will have best success growing seedlings using a light fixture fitted with fluorescent or LED plant grow lights.
Suspend the fixture with chains from hooks. Position the fixture a few inches above the seedlings and leave it on 14 to 16 hours a day. Raise the fixture on chains as the seedlings grow.
Whether inside or outside, water regularly and fertilize seedlings once a week with 20-20-20 soluble fertilizer mixed half strength.
As soon as the seedlings are large enough to handle, they should be carefully separated and transplanted into individual pots or, if already growing in individual pots, thinned to one plant per pot. When transplanting, always handle the small seedlings by a leaf as their thin stems break easily.
When plants are large enough — they need not be in bloom — plant them into the garden when weather conditions are warm enough.
If grown in a greenhouse or indoors, place them initially in a protected shady location. Over the next seven days, gradually expose them to more light, and then plant them where you intend for them to grow.
Plant transplants into well-prepared beds at the same level they were growing in the container and space them properly. Mulch the bed to reduce weed problems and water regularly until the new plants are established.
Congratulations! You have just entered a wonderful way of gardening.
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Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWL-AM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu.
“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of today.” Chinese proverb
Garden columnist Dan Gill answers readers' questions each week. To send a question, email Gill at gnogardening@agcenter.lsu.edu.
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