While we continue to ship soil, seed starting mix, and other amendments to gardeners sheltering in place, at our place we’re starting so many seeds for the veggie garden right now! It feels like each seed planted is a small act of hope for the future. Seeing them emerge from the soil just gives you that little kid jumping up and down feeling!
In case you’re starting your own seeds for the first time, or you need a little encouragement, I wanted to take a minute to share a few of my seed starting tips and tricks.
Stagger Plantings
Planting groups of veggies (particularly cool season vegetables like salad greens) in waves (every 2 weeks or so) is a good way to space out harvest times so you don’t end up with too much of any one veggie at one time.
Use Grow Lights When Starting Seeds Indoors
Some seeds do better when sown direct in the garden, others are fine growing under lights inside in seed starting trays.
You can order grow lights online.
What to start Inside
Read the package to see what’s recommended for the plants you’re growing. Here are a few general guidelines for starting inside vs. direct-sowing outside in the garden.
Cool Weather (Start inside and plant outside in cool spring weather)
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Broccoli
- Spinach
Warm Weather (Start inside and plant outside when nighttime temperatures are at least 60 degrees)
- Eggplants
- Peppers
- Tomatoes
- Okra
What to Sow Directly into the Garden Outside
Cool Weather (Spring)
- Beets
- Turnips
- Lettuce
- Dill
- Swiss Chard
- Arugula
- Radishes
- Carrots
Warm Weather (late spring/summer)
- Corn
- Squash and zucchini
- Melons
- Pumpkins
Invest in a Heat Mat & Seed Starting Kit
Many online stores have complete seed starting kits for sale that include a tray and humidity dome. Homemade options work great too. (You can cover your seed starting trays or containers with cut off milk jugs or cling wrap until the seeds sprout.)
Heat mats work wonders to kickstart seeds to germinate.
Plant Seeds in Seed Starting Mix
Container potting soil and seed starting mix are both for gardening in containers, but the ORGANIC MECHANICS® Seed Starting Blend is an organic seed starting mix that is specially for optimal seed germination, providing 3-4 weeks of fertilization power.
If you need Seed Starting Blend or anything else, please call our office at 610-380-4598 or check our online store. We are shipping!
Happy planting, and be safe my friends!
