Blog for March….
Winter has been dragging on for what seems like forever, and you just want to get your fingers dirty and start gardening, don't you? March is the perfect month to start some seeds indoors and get a head start on the growing season.
It's not as hard as you think, and you don't need a fancy greenhouse or special equipment to get it done.
You just need some motivation!! You'll find all sorts of fun seed racks, and seed growing soils, pots this time of year. There are also lots of great mail order seed catalogs that you've been receiving through the winter with mouth-watering photographs of luscious tomatoes, yummy vegetables and beautiful flowers.
You'll need to find a space in your house to start your seeds. Many gardeners set up some simple shelves in the basement with fluorescent lights. You don't need to buy special grow lights, just a normal fluorescent shop light will do. Or, you can put a shelf near a bright window rather than using fluorescent lights. I like to use an oscillating fan, on low to help strengthen the seedlings.
Seeds can be started in just about any type of container, from as simple as recycling an egg carton or plastic takeout container, or milk jug, to seed-starting peat pots. Be sure to purchase a good sterile soilless mix that is made specifically for starting seeds - you'll avoid lots of disease problems by investing in quality seed starting mix. These mixes are very light and allow the seed to push up through it as it germinates.
Be sure to read the directions on the back of the seed packet. You'll want to pay attention to the amount of time it takes from seed germination until the plant is ready to go to the garden. That means you'll want to start the plants that take the longest in March, and hold off until April or even early May for the varieties that take less time. In our area I use week one as the 3rd week in May. So count backwards by week to figure out when to start! The back of the seed packet will also tell you how deep to plant your seed, and if the seed needs any special treatment such as soaking in water, or nicking the seed.
When you plant, make sure your soil mix is moistened but not soggy. Label your containers or flats as you go. Once everything is planted, take a mister bottle and mist the top of the soil. Cover your containers or flats with plastic wrap or plastic domes to help keep the soil moist and the humidity relatively high. Keep an eye on your plantings daily to make sure the moisture level stays even and doesn't dry out.
When the seeds germinate and the plants emerge, you'll want to remove the plastic wrap or domes so that the humidity isn't too high while they are growing. Once some true leaves are developed you can start fertilizing with a water-soluble fertilizer, mixing it at ¼ strength (don't overdo the fertilizer!).
Once your plants are up and growing you may have to 'thin' out the crop, or they will get too crowded. This is hard on the psyche. But, it must be done. If you are careful, you could transplant extra seedlings to another pot and grow them on, or just discard them.
When you get closer to transplanting in the garden, you'll want to slowly get your seedlings acclimated to the outdoors - this is a process called 'hardening off'. Take your plants outdoors to a sheltered spot every day, and increase the amount of time every day they stay out. This sheltered spot should NOT be in full sun, or your tender seedlings will burn. After a week of two of hardening off, you'll be able to get your new seedlings planted in the garden without any damage.
Seed starting is fun and easy. If you haven't done it before, start with some easy plants, such as tomatoes, zinnias or zucchini. Before long, you'll be an expert at starting your own plants. Have fun!
Last but not least….
March is a great month to get out and do some dormant pruning of trees and shrubs. Not ALL plantings, though, should be done at this time of year, including maples, birches, and spring blooming shrubs! You don’t want to cut off those flowers you have been waiting all winter for!
Chanda