Page 37 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 123

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Let It Grow...Plotting your Garden...Starting from Seed

By Marion Dalley needed are… trays or containers
to hold soilless seed starting mix,
t is a coup for the avid gardener to plastic covering (saran wrap or
Ibe able to say that all the plants in tray cover), good lighting, a special
their garden were started from seed heating pad, seeds.

right in their own sunroom!
Seeds - Hopefully you have
Easier said than done. Starting already determined what exactly
seeds is a trial-and-error experience. you want to grow in your gardens.
I have heard many a gardener say What type of vegetables have you
that they were successful in starting had success with in the past, or what
certain plants, but unsuccessful type would you like to experiment
with others. But the fun is in the with. What flowers do you love,
‘try’, and whether or not you are but often have to spend too much
successful, you will certainly learn money on when buying plants. At
in the process. this point in time, you will already

Many different schools of thought have ordered your seeds from a Photo Submitted
will apply to all the steps that reputable local company and should (ideal for improving drainage), and the selected container for planting.
will be mentioned in this article. I have them in hand (as per article in vermiculite (aids in water retention),
certainly cannot attest to one or the January’s issue of Sports Energy). Your container should have holes
along with added nutrients. These
other method being foolproof, or Information on the seed packages mixes are light and sterile which in the bottom for drainage. It is
the one method that you should use. can help determine the length of makes them best for successful imperative that the seed medium is
I suggest doing some of your own time each type requires to be started well-drained, that water does not sit
germination. The soil may be used
research by talking to gardeners ahead of planting time. If it is not in the bottom of the container. You
in small coir containers, in small
who have had experience with indicated on the package, there are should also water from the bottom,
plastic pods, or in the peat pellet.
starting seeds. a number of sites on the internet (or at least not directly onto the seed
These come in flat little disks, and itself) helping the roots to reach
Starting seeds requires some that can help with this. Generally, when hydrated, form little contained
inexpensive equipment, and a lot of the time frame will vary from 4 – 8 pods that can be planted directly down to be fed, creating stronger
plants. Keep soil slightly moist,
constant surveillance, and patience. weeks prior to the last frost date in into the ground when the time but do not let dry out. This will kill
One piece of equipment that is your area. That will put this article comes. There is some controversy
very inexpensive is your notebook/ at about the right time frame for regarding using peat now, as it the delicate seedlings very quickly.
This requires diligence, a constant
record keeping tool. It would be most seed plantings, as our last frost is not a sustainable product. The
very beneficial to you to keep charts date in this area is generally about gardening world is turning to monitoring, watering every 24 - 48
hours Some seeds do well when
and information of your seeds, the 15th to 24th of May. coconut coir instead. Once you have they are soaked for 24 hours prior
planting dates, results, etc. This will Soil and containers - It is often decided on your medium, make sure
be your go-to, moving forward. recommended to use a soilless that it is thoroughly moist/damp. to planting, but this is not necessary

Some other supplies that may be mixture consisting of peat, perlite Mix with water prior to putting into Continued on page 41