In the eight years since starting vegetable seed indoors, I have tried numerous products. The students in my Carlsbad Senior Garden and I have experimented with plastic six-packs, peat pots, even egg cartons. But the product that now gets the prize for container of the year is a half-dollar shaped pod, filled with lightweight sterile soil, called Jiffy Pods or Jiffy Soil Pellets.
We all agree that whoever invented this product should be making a million dollars; needless to say, we are some of their best customers.
Whichever container you choose to work with, line up in a plastic storage box, such as a sandwich box. To begin your seed starting project, gather your pots on your worktable and begin the process. If you are using empty containers, purchase a 5-pound bag of seed-starting mix or lightweight potting mix.
HOW TO START YOUR SEEDS
- Choose at least six of the containers mentioned above (or one six-pack). I encourage new gardeners to start with six containers to plant six varieties of seed (suggestions below).
- If you are using an empty container, fill with high quality seed starting mix or potting mix about ¾ full.
- When using Jiffy Pods, place in a small plastic storage box and they will expand.
- Water all just until water comes out of the holes.
- Using a pencil or your finger, make a hole that is twice the depth of the seed. (For example, a zucchini seed would be planted 1 inch deep)
- Place two large seeds in the hole, cover with soil and tamp down.
- The final step is to place your containers in a larger plastic box with lid.
- Find a warm table near a window, but do not place in hot sun. Cover with lid, allow to begin the germination process to begin. Open once per day for air circulation.
- After three days, open lid, but don’t add water until dry.
- Seeds should emerge in 5-7 days.
CHOOSE SEEDS WISELY
I advise all new gardeners who just can’t wait to get started to choose six varieties of seed that will almost always germinate. We start with six so that you can evaluate your success and move on to more varieties.
The largest, most robust seeds are any in the squash family such as pumpkin, zucchini, summer squash and gourds. All peas and beans germinate quickly, as do all cucumbers and nasturtium.
The seed that gives gardeners the most trouble as far as germinating are tiny seeds such as petunias, poppy, lettuce and some greens. We will cover the difficult seeds at a later date.
HARDENING OFF
As soon as your little sprouts reach at least 2-3 inches, you can begin “hardening them off,” which is the process of toughening them to be ready to plant outdoors.
Place in a cool but well-lit room and allow them to grow in their containers until at least 5 inches tall. Be sure to rotate daily, so they don’t get leggy and fall over!
Next time we will talk about that exciting process of taking your little babies outside! Just like learning how to ride a bike, practice makes perfect.
For more information about specific vegetable cultivation go to mastergardenersd.org.
Happy planting!
Jano Nightingale is a Master Gardener who teaches at the Carlsbad Senior Center. Contact her at [email protected].
