I usually plant my garden seeds directly into the outdoor soil each spring, but this year on February 28th I planted Broccoli, Carnations and several tomato seeds, Sungold and Summerfeast. Only 10 days later they were popping up out of the soil and looking healthy. Have you ever grown your own carnations? I am one of those people who loves the smell of home-grown carnations because the florist versions have very little if no scent at all. Home grown carnations have an amazing sweet clove fragrance. The carnation seeds I bought from Botanical Interests Seed Company and the Broccoli and Tomato seeds I bought online from Renee’s Seeds.
Seed Starting Indoors
This seed starter set-up I found at Target in the gardening section, it’s a “Burpee” brand bio-degradable packaged seed starter with soil and under-tray included . I plan to use it over and over again. I placed warm water in the tray and kept the seeds moist through the bottom tray instead of pouring water over the seeds.
Starting seeds indoors, especially tomatoes is a great way to get a head start on your spring garden. Keep seedlings moist but not soaking wet, then place them in a sunny window or use cool fluorescent bulbs to light them during the day. After the danger of frost has passed it will be safe to transplant the seedlings into the garden.
I have heard from master gardeners and several horticulture articles that growing heirloom tomatoes is difficult and not as easy as growing hybrid tomatoes. I did purchase the Summerfeast tomato that is an heirloom so I will keep you posted on how that goes! Maybe it will be my “garden challenge” for the spring.
This week they all go outside to start the “Harden Off” process since the soil is warming up and the danger of frost is over. To Harden Off Seeds introduce them slowly to the outdoors by placing them in a shady area for a few days, but keeping them indoors at night. Day 2 through 6 allow the seedlings to be exposed to more sun and on Day 7-10 keep them outside full time. I usually transfer them into the garden at about Day 10 when the seedlings have hardened off and are acclimated to the outdoor temperatures and sun exposure.
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Sunflower started indoors from seed then transplanted into garden at about 3 inches tall.
