March 12 is National Plant a Flower Day, which is intended to celebrate the beauty of flowers and the ways that they enrich our lives. You’ll probably come across vivid and inspiring images on your social media feed that day, making you impatient for spring to come around so you can start planting!
The good news is that you don’t have to wait for the ground to warm up before you can get your garden started. You can research flowers that are appropriate for your climate zone and start growing seeds indoors now. Then, when the warm weather hits, all you have to do is transplant this year’s garden from your home or greenhouse into a designated area outside. Here are some tips to get you started.
Why Grow From Seed?
There are a lot of reasons why growing seeds indoors is such a great idea. To begin with, you can grow a wide variety of flowers and plants that aren’t always available from local growers or can be too tricky to transport when mature. Other advantages include:
- Lower risk of pests or disease during the early growing stages
- You can get a head start on the growing season
- You get to enjoy your favourite plants and flowers during the winter months
To germinate, seeds must be exposed to the appropriate amount of light, oxygen, water, and warmth. The germination requirements of a particular seed can be found on seed packets, in catalogues, or online. You can also reach out to the company that provided the seeds for any additional information you may need.
Supplies for Growing Seeds Indoors
You’ll need the following tools and supplies to get your indoor seed project started:
- Sterile containers with drainage holes
- Growing media- seeds should be grown in a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite
- Thermometer
- Plant tags
- Waterproof markers for recording plant information on the tags
- Fertilizer (for when leaves are produced)
Planting the Seeds
Before planting seeds, moisten the soil mix by hand so that it is evenly damp but not wet. Then take the following steps:
- Fill pots to the rim without packing the soil down.
- Scatter the seeds evenly over the soil and sprinkle a thin layer of soil on top if necessary.
- Press down firmly so that the seeds are in full contact with the soil. Don’t bury them any deeper than their overall thickness.
- Label the pots with the species and date of planting.
- Use a mister to evenly moisten the soil in the pots.
- To increase humidity, cover the flats with a plastic top or plastic wrap. When using a plastic wrap, slit the material for ventilation.
- If the area is poorly ventilated, use a fan.
- If the containers are under lights, check them daily.
- Remove the cover after 75% germination occurs.
Transplanting and Watering
Transfer the seedlings into other pots or containers if they become overcrowded or when the first pair of true leaves appear. Water the seedlings well after transplanting, and then restrict watering until the plants are established and producing new growth. Once true leaves have appeared, apply a weak fertilizer solution. You can work up to full-strength fertilizer once the plants have their second set of true leaves.
Know What Goes With a Perfect Garden? Perfect Landscaping!
You’ve spent months growing seeds indoors and ensuring that they’re ready for transplanting in your garden come spring. To maximize the beauty of your yard, why not schedule professional landscaping services? At Green Collar Landscaping, we know how to transform average yards into places where you’ll be proud to relax or entertain. For more information or to receive a free estimate, please contact us!