Seeds & Seed Starting
Thanks to LandscapeUsa.com for providing this article!
Growing flowers and vegetables from seed can be one of the most rewarding gardening experiences a person can have. You can do it alone, or with others. Now is a great time to get a head start on Spring by planting seeds indoors. No matter were you are, starting your own seeds now will give a head start and allow you to try new varieties. What do you need to start?
Here are some basics:
Seeds
Choose the type of seeds by looking back on your past gardens. What are some of the plants you have had the most success from? What are some plants you might like to try? Are there some things you have not seen before that looks interesting? Browse our selection and make a list. A few seeds are better to plant directly in the ground where they will grow through the season. Some examples are corn and root crops. Most flowers, herbs and vegetables do well when started early and transplanted. How many packages do you need? Most packages contain more seeds than you might need for a home garden and since the seeds are sold by weight, the smaller the seed size the more per package. What about seed you have from previous years? The simple answer is fresh seed has the best chance of growing. If you have some seed from previous years, you can do a simple germination test by placing a few of the seeds in a clear quart jar with a damp paper towel, close the top and place in a warm (60-70f) spot with bright light. Most good seeds will sprout in about 10-15 days. You can usually store unused seed for the next season if you keep it in a dark and dry location.
Containers
Seed starting does not require a large container. In fact, shallow containers are generally best. Low rectangular containers called trays or flats are well designed with enough space to start many seeds. You can recycle old trays or containers, but they should be cleaned and treated to avoid contamination from diseases. An easy way to treat your container is to apply a simple mixture of household bleach and water. In addition it works best if you cover the container with a clear dome. If you want to start the seeds on a counter or table indoors, try the best-selling Accelerated Seed Propagation System (APS-40), which is fully enclosed and simple to use.
Soil
Perhaps the most important thing after choosing seeds is the soil selection. The selection of the right material will go a long way toward your success. First, do not use used soil. Start with vermiculite, sand and (or) sterilized potting mix. There are many different recipes for seed starting, but one that we like is to use ½ washed river sand and ½ vermiculite. Save a small amount of sand for seed cover.
Water
Before planting, add enough water to make the soil moist without making it soggy. Misting with hand a held sprayer or a Garden Coil will work best. It will be necessary to add water later and misting will be easiest.
Light
There is no equal to sunlight, so wherever possible, use the brightest natural light you can. If you have low light or very short days, consider using a lighting system. The light needs to be placed very close to the surface of the container which makes fluorescent light a good choice because it does not get as hot as incandescent light. To save energy, try to use the lighting system to make the daylight hours longer and use it just before sunset for three or four hours.
Warmth
All seeds germinate best with warm temperatures and bottom heat is best because it helps draw the roots down through the rooting soil. Using a heating mat can make the seeds germinate more uniformly and quickly. If you do not have a heating mat, find a location were the temperature remains stable around 60-70f.
Planting
Fill the container with the moist mix and press it down firmly with a flat board. To prevent disease, lightly coat the seeds with organic garden dust by placing a tablespoon in a bag, add the seeds and shake vigorously. If the seeds are very small, mix them thoroughly with a cup of sand. (Note: though they can easily be planted directly in the garden, peas and beans should be soaked in water for about 24 hours before seeding) Sprinkle the seeds over the surface and press them in with the board. Cover the soil with just enough sand to hide the seed. Mist lightly with water. You do not need to add fertilizer, that will come later when you transplant the seedlings. Place the clear dome over the top and if you have a light and mat, plug them in. Germination can begin in as few as 3-5 days or as long as 2 weeks. Be patient and make sure the soil stays moist to the touch. Keep the dome on until the seedlings have grown to about one inch tall, then it can be removed. When your seedlings are about 1 ½ to 2 inches tall, they can be transplanted into individual containers 3-4 inches in size for planting later. Time your seeding to be ready about the time the weather allows you to plant in your zone. Be sure to make notes about the varieties, timing and names. Experiment with at least one fun plant like Garlic Chives.
To see the entire selection of seeds and bulbs LandscapeUsa offers please click here. LandscapeUSA
Tohya Green Soybean Edamame - $ 2.99
The Edamame Green Soybean Tohya, 'Glycine max', is so high in protein, it is called "the meat without bones". When boiled, the beans are popped out of the pod into your mouth for a culinary delight. Edamame means "beans on a brach" and has quickly become a favorite vegetable. They are 40% protien, high in vitamins A, B, calcium and iron. Wait for the pods to get plump but while they are still green. If the foliage starts to turn yellow, pull up the whole plant and harvest.
Fastbreak Muskmelon - $ 2.99
The Muskmelon Fastbreak Cantaloupe), 'Cucumis melo (Hybrid)', is a breeding first! The Fastbreak has great taste and super early maturity, which makes the Fastbreak the best early muskmelon ever. Long or short growing season, this melon should be in every garden and even may be called a "blessing for home gardeners". The 3 to 4 pound melons are very sweet and they resist several common diseases. Muskmelons prefer light and well drained soil. Muskmelons use a lot of water but they should not ever be soggy wet.
First Lady II Tomato - $ 2.99
The Tomato Pole First lady II, 'Lycopersicon Lycopersicum', is earlier, tastier, more disease resistant than Early Girl. They are crack resistant and are large for an early tomato. It is very hard to find a tomato that matures this quickly and tastes this good and have great disease resistance. The First Lady II is resistant to nematodes. Soak to depth of 6 to 10 inches when watering. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Prune the intermediate tomatoes in order to keep a single stem.
Grape Juliet Tomato - $ 2.99
The Tomato Grape Juliet, 'Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Hybrid)', is an All American Selection that has sweet, wonderful flavor and produces tons of red, glossy 1 oz fruits on grape-like clusters. The Juliet is an early tomato that will produce in almost any climate. 6 to 9 tomatoes are produced on each of many grape-like clusters. In addition to the wonderfully sweet flavor, they are very crack resistant. Soak to depth of 6 to 10 inches when watering. Prune the intermediate tomatoes in order to keep a single stem.
Little October Pumpkin - $ 2.99
The Pumpkin Little October, 'Cucurbita pepo', is a mini-pumpkin with smooth skin that is ideal for holiday decorations. Looking for an ideal family craft project? After your "mini-gardeners' have helped grow this mini-pumpkin from seed to harvest, let them loose with acrylic paints or permanent markers. Spray with a polyurethane glaze to preserve the creative results. The soil should be kept evenly moist. Harvest before the first light frost or when the pumpkin foliage begins to dry out.
Pattypan Scallop Blend Summer Squash - $ 2.99
The Squash Summer Scallop Blend, 'Cucurbita pepo (Hybrid)', has a slightly spicier, nuttier flavor than other summer squashes. We have chosen not just any blend of different colored patttypan squash, we have chosen the best. The Scallop Blend includes, 'Peter Pan', an All America winner with incredible yields and adaptability, 'Sunburst', another All America winner that tastes as if it was soaked in butter, and 'Early White', and Heirloom from the early 1700's. Harvest as soon as squash reaches 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Mandarin Bell Pepper - $ 2.99
The Pepper Bell Mandarin, 'Capsicum annuum (Hybrid)', has a unique glossy orange color with very sweet flavor that combines beautifully with red, yellow and green peppers in a colorful salad. Mandarin Bell Peppers turns from green to an impressive glossy, deep pumpkin-orange color. If you enjoy the sweet flavor of red and yellow peppers, you may really like the unique sweet flavor of the Mandarin. Blossom pruning will improve fruit size. Pinch off about 50% of the flowers.
Ori Bell Pepper - $ 2.99
The Pepper Bell Ori, 'Capsicum annuum (Hybrid)', will set fruit in adverse weather conditions and that makes it an easy to grow garden variety. Ori produces a large number of thick-walled, big, bright yellow peppers under adverse conditions. The Ori turns directly from green to a bright yellow. The peppers are large, well-lobed, and semi-long. Pepper seeds need very warm soil temperatures to germinate. Blossom pruning will improve fruit size. Pinch off about 50% of the flowers.
Cinderella French Pumpkin - $ 2.99
The Pumpkin French Cinderalla, 'Cucurbita maxima', is a beautiful French antique heirloom with vibrant mahogany-orange skin that transformed into a coach for Cinderella. The French Cinderella is also called Rouge Vif D'etampes. The Cinderella is a very striking pumpkin with deep ridges and is large sized, up to 15-20 pounds. This pumpkin looks good even if you do not carve it. The soil should be kept evenly moist. Harvest before the first light frost or when the pumpkin foliage begins to dry out.
Husky Gold Patio Tomato - $ 2.69
The Tomato Patio Husky gold, 'Lycopersicon lycopersicum', is a vibrant gold colored tomato and an All America Selection. The Husky Gold is a great container plant with juicy, sweet, mild flavored tomatoes. Husky Gold is rare. It is a dwarf intermediate which means it will continue to produce right up to frost. Husky Gold has beautiful gold color tomatoes, high yields, compact plant, and disease resistance which make this plant a great choice. Prune the intermediate tomatoes in order to keep a single stem.
Bambino Eggplant - $ 2.69
The Eggplant Baby Bambino, 'Solanum melongena (Hybrid)', is a baby eggplant with 1" fruits! The Bambino is great hors d'oeuvres, shish-kabobs and other eggplant dishes. It is also an attractive ornamental. In addition to not having the bitter flavor that some full-sized eggplants have, Bambino is a tasty and attractive addition to your garden. Eggplant prefers rich, deep, loose soils with large amounts of organic material. Provide 1 inch of water a week if it does not rain.
Gourmet Blend Beet - $ 2.69
The Beet Gourmet Blend, 'Beta vulgaris', is an old fashioned beet. You can create gourmet salads and side dishes in a rainbow of jewel-tone colors. It is sweet, nutritious, and easy to grow. Aside from the health benefits, which include significant amounts of fiber, potassium, folic acid and vitamin C, beets come in a variety of colors, shapes and textures. Beets prefer deep, well drained soil with lots of organic material. They need to be kept moist.
Bronze-Smokey Fennel - $ 2.39
The Fennel Bronze, 'Foeniculum vulgare', has stunningly beautiful, purple feathery plumes that provide a lacy contrast in the vegetable or flower garden. The Bronze Fennel is an absolutely dazzling, hard to find Fennel, that is used primarily for ornamental value and has tasty foliage and seeds. Fresh leaves can be sprinkled on salads or used in salad dressings. Plant in the spring 2 weeks before the last average frost date. Fennel does best in well drained, sandy soils with lots of organic matter. They need to be kept moist.
Grosse Bouclee Escarole - $ 2.39
The Escarole Grosse Bouclee, 'Chicorium endiva', is a crackling, crisp, tender, snappy green that is a must green in Europe and for any salad. Grown properly, no green will match its flavor. There is a reason superb gourmet salads usually have Escarole, because Escarole adds flavor, texture, and visual appeal to any salad. Harvest in the fall after the first couple of light frosts because the flavor is actually improved after a light frost. In the spring, harvest before temperatures get above 90 degrees.
Birdhouse Hard- shelled Gourd - $ 2.39
The Gourd Hard-shelled Birdhouse, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is commonly used to make birdhouses, pots, planters, bowls, toys, and hanging baskets. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds such as Birdhouse will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. Birdhouse gourds makes a great birdhouse. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.
Corsican Hard- shelled Gourd - $ 2.39
The Gourd Hard-shelled Corsican, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is used to make serving bowls, jewelry boxes, and many other beautifully decorated lidded containers. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as Corsican, will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. The Corsican can be left the natural color or painted in any color desired. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.
Dipper Hard- shelled Gourd - $ 2.39
The Gourd Hard-shelled Long Handled Dipper, 'Cucurbita lagenaria', is wonderful for painting, decorating, or used as a water 'dipper'. Once cured, hard-shelled gourds, such as the Long Handled Dipper, will last indefinitely and can be painted, carved, cut, or drilled as you would do with wood for literally hundreds of craft projects. This dipper gourd can be used as a pot to hold plants or to dip water from a pot or other utensil. Hard-shelled gourds should be kept in the garden as long as there is any life left in the vines.
Celebrity Tomato - $ 2.39
The Tomato Bush Celebrity, 'Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Hybrid)', is a 1984 All America Winner and it is still a winner. Celebrity is an excellent all purpose variety with great flavor, disease resistance, and it will grow from Canada to the south. No other variety does so well under as many different growing conditions. It is so adaptable that it comes close to the perfect tomato. Soak to depth of 6 to 10 inches when watering. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day.
Bright Lights Mix Swiss Chard - $ 2.39
The Swiss Chard Bright Lights, 'Beta vulgaris (Cicla group)', has spectacular stem colors that can include yellow, gold, orange, pink, purple, or intermediate shades of these colors. Some believe the leaves of Bright Lights are tastier than spinach. The stalks crunch like celery but have a slight hint of asparagus. Bright Lights has an improved, lighter flavor and is delicious raw in salads. In warm climates, plant in late summer for fall/winter crop. Chard grows best in in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.
Rainbow Mix Cherry Tomato - $ 2.39
The Tomato Cherry Rainbow Mix, 'Lycopersicon lycopersicum (Hybrid)', is a beautiful mix of unique, tasty, fun gourmet cherry tomatoes. The rainbow of colors include orange, yellow, brown, red, green, white, pink with white stripes, and bicolor. The mix contains, Sundrop, Miribelle, Brown Cherry, Sweetie, Green Grape, Green, Super Snow White, Color Cherry and White Striped. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Prune the intermediate tomatoes in order to keep a single stem.
Rhubarb Ruby Red Swiss Chard - $ 1.89
The Swiss Chard Ruby Red/Rhubarb, 'Beta vulgaris (Cicla group)', has sweet and tender rhubarb-like stalks that are decorative and tasty. You will love the color of Ruby Red. The deep crimson stalks and veins are contrasted by dark-green heavily crumpled large leaves. The leaves are tastier, some believe, than spinach and the stalks crunch like celery but have a slight hint of asparagus. In warm climates, plant in late summer for fall/winter crop. Chard grows best in in well drained soil with lots of organic matter.
Lumina Pumpkin - $ 1.89
The Pumpkin Lumina, 'Cucurbita maxima', is a ghostly white pumpkin is good for carving, painting or baking! Just the porch lights from other houses make Lumina glow. Lumina is excellent for painting with its very smooth skin. The flavor and texture of the Lumina pumpkin makes it excellent for baking. The Lumina is 8 to 10 inches in diameter and weigh 10 to 12 pounds each. The soil should be kept evenly moist. Harvest before the first light frost or when the pumpkin foliage begins to dry out.
Lebanese Summer Zucchini Squash - $ 1.89
The Squash Summer Clarinette Lebanese, 'Cucurbita pepo (Hybrid)', is a Middle-Eastern favorite The slightly sweet flavor is excellent stuffed or eaten plain. If you like summer squash even a little, you must try this Lebanese summer squash. It is widely grown in the Middle East, Europe, and Mexico. The slightly sweet flavor is excellent when squash is harvested small or when used for stuffing. Harvest as soon as squash reaches 3 to 5 inches in length. Squash are most tender and flavorful when young.
Red & Yellow Blend Currant Tomato - $ 1.89
The Tomato Cherry Currant Red and Yellow Blend, 'Lycopersicon pimpinellifolium', produces pea-sized tomatoes that are intensely flavored and a charming addition to salads. The Red and Yellow Currants are not make a tomato raisin. Red and Yellow Blend is an intermediate tomato which means they continue to grow indefinitely until frost. Soak to depth of 6 to 10 inches when watering. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. Prune the intermediate tomatoes in order to keep a single stem.
Ice Box Quetzali Watermelon - $ 1.89
The Watermelon Ice Box Quetzali, 'Citrullus lanatus', is an "Ice Box" watermelon that will fit in your refrigerator easily! The Quetzali has a shorter growing season than regular watermelon. The wonderful, sweet flavor of summer is bundled in a small, convenient, 9 to 12 pound globe that will fit in your ice box. The Ice Box Quetzali has excellent flavor and very productive vines. Watermelon use a lot of water but the soil must never be soggy.
Jack Be Little Pumpkin - $ 1.89
The Pumpkin Jack Be Little, 'Cucurbita pepo', is a fascinating true miniature pumpkin that kids will adore! The charming fall table center piece also has tasty and smooth, sweet flesh. This is the tiniest pumpkin in the world. The Jack Be Little is an adorable true miniature pumpkin that easily fits in your hand.. Kids love Jack Be Little particularly to paint and decorate. They make an attractive decorations or centerpieces. The soil should be kept evenly moist. Harvest before the first light frost or when the pumpkin foliage begins to dry out.
Romanian Sweet Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Sweet Romaine, 'Capsicum annum', produces a rainbow of pepper colors in your garden and on your table. Romaine Peppers are sweet and full flavored. They are perfect for salads, grilling or roasting. Romaime Peppers start out ivory-colored , turn orange, then mature to red. All three color stages can appear at one time. This pepper plant is a prolific producers. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often.
Milan Radicchio - $ 1.89
The Radicchio Milan, 'Cichorium intybus', is a self-heading type that is easy to grow. The Milan Radicchio adds a unique flavor to salads. Milan is strikingly beautiful with its deep red and very white veins. It adds a distinctive, desirable, slightly bitter flavor to salads, is delicious sauteed with butter and garlic, or eaten with slices of fresh tomatoes. Cut head above the crown and it may re-sprout producing another head in the fall. Remove the outer leaves until you reach the inner heart where the veins are white.
Scotch Bonnet Chile Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Hot Scotch Bonnet, 'Capsicum chinense', is 10 to 20 ties hotter than a Jalapeno. Once you get over the initial blistering heat, the intense citrus-like flavor will win you over. Scotch Bonnet is a type of Habanero, considered the hottest pepper in the world. Words such as hellish, blistering, and incendiary are used to describe the heat. Harvest when 1 inch long or longer. Use gloves and do not touch any other part of the body after harvesting. Wash your hands immediately.
Thai Hot Chile Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Chile Thai Hot, 'Capsicum annuum', has a zesty, pungent, very hot flavor for authentic Asian-style cuisine. It is also a superb ornamental plant for borders or containers. The chilli-loving Thais consume more hot peppers than any other culture. Discover the delights of Thai Hot flavor in your favorite stir-fry or other Asian dish. Plant in average garden soil with sufficient organic matter. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often.
Marconi Gold Sweet Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Sweet Italian Marconi Golden, 'Capsicum annuum', is a pepper that many believe is more flavorful and is superior to traditional bell peppers. The Marconi Golden is a traditional Italian sweet pepper. The Italian Marconi turns from green to yellow and either color is very tasty. These peppers grow about 1 foot long by 3 inches wide. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often. Blossom pruning will improve fruit size. Pinch off about 50% of the flowers.
Purple Beauty Bell Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Bell Purple Beauty, 'Capsicum annuum', is a compact plant with very meaty, thick-fleshed, sweet, purple peppers. It is unlike most peppers which start out green, this one starts out purple and provides color early in the season. This is another exciting pepper to add to your collection of beautiful sweet bell peppers. Peppers use quite a bit of water but prefer to be watered deeply and not too often. Blossom pruning will improve fruit size. Pinch off about 50% of the flowers.
Cayenne Blend Chile Pepper - $ 1.89
The Pepper Hot Cayenne Blend, 'Capsicum annuum', is an excellent hot flavoring for chili and other hot foods and a string of the colorful, dried cayennes is an attractive decoration. Pencil thin Cayenne peppers are used fresh in hot sauces and chilies, dried or ground for cayenne pepper or pepper flakes, as a flavor in oil and vinegar, and strung on a string as an attractive southwest decoration. Use gloves and do not touch any other part of the body after harvesting. Wash your hands immediately.
Burgermaster Red Onion - $ 1.89
The Onion Red Burgermaster, 'Allium cepa (Hybrid)', has a sweet taste that make burgers and sandwiches complete when they have a slice of this onion. The Red Burgermaster has bright red, globe shaped onions with very attractive, crisp red and white flesh. They are also great in salads and thousands of other dishes where sweet, mild onions are a must. It is very important to keep onions weeded. Note: If the bulb pushes itself out of the ground, cover it with mulch or straw, not soil.
Walla Walla Onion - $ 1.89
The Onion Walla Walla, 'Allium cepa', is one of the sweetest and juiciest onions you will ever taste. They can be eaten raw like an apple. For just plain sweet and delicious flavor, this onion is one of the best. It is best eaten fresh and does not store well. It is an intermediate onion and will produce a bulb in most areas of the USA. They should be kept evenly moist and not allowed to dry out. It is very important to keep onions weeded. Note: If the bulb pushes itself out of the ground, cover it with mulch or straw, not soil.GSC Tabletop Light Garden
A Complete, High Quality Light Garden at an Low Price Our Tabletop Light Garden is the best- made compact model you can buy, with everything you need to start seedlings or grow exotic plants indoors—light stand and fixture, tray, even full- spectrum bulbs! 37-1/8" H x 54" W x 18-3/8 D. Assembly
APS-24
Tomato Success Kit, Green
APS Starter Kit
Germinating Mix 9 Qts
APS-40
Potato Bed
3-Tier Floralight
GSC Three Tier Light Garden
Ultimate Seedstarting Kit
Hot Bed
Garden Starter Greenhouse
Fast Start Greenhouse
APS-6
Build-A-Ball, Set Of 6
APS 12, Set Of 2
Stackable Corner Joints, set of 2
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