By Sarah Kinbar
Seed Starting
It's easier than you think to grow your own herbs and vegetables.
 
Check out the wealth of choices in any seed catalog and it will hit you—even your best local garden center's seedling selection is meager by comparison. Why settle for the usual fare when you can order directly from seed catalogs and get any herb or veggie variety you desire and some you've never heard of before: Annie Oakley okra, anyone? How about Garden of Eden green beans? A couple more minutes flipping through tempting offers like Red Ruffled eggplant and Moonglow tomato and you'll be dialing up your first order. Of course, this means you have to start your own seeds—and lucky you. It's one of the easiest gardening tasks to take on, and the rewards are abundant. We'll take you through it step by step.

What You'll Need

• Soilless mix for seeds (found at nurseries and home-improvement centers)
• Watering can
• Seedling trays (anything that holds soil and drains well, from pierced-bottom milk cartons to professional equipment)
• Seed packets
• Seed dispenser (for tiny seeds like lavender or poppies)
• Waterproof pen
• Plant labels
• Full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights


Water soil
photography: Robbie Caponetto


1. Combine soilless mix (which holds more liquid than potting soil) and water until moist but not muddy. Fill seed trays to three-fourths full, pressing firmly to avoid air pockets. If using recycled containers, soak them in a bleach- and water-filled sink (10% bleach) 15 minutes, rinse well, and let air dry first.

Seeder bulb
photography: Robbie Caponetto
2. Sow seeds according to seed packet instructions, covering with soil as needed. Press firmly to ensure contact with the sowed seeds and get germination off to a good start. Label your seed trays with the plant's name and the date you sowed seeds (so you'll know when it's safe to bring plants outdoors).

3. Keep soil moist: Cover with accompanying plastic top or, if using homemade containers, cover with a plastic bag secured with a rubber band.

Done
Place the seed trays under grow lights about 2 inches from soil surface (check grow light directions) or in a window that provides 12 to 16 hours of light per day (a south-facing window is best). Keep soil moist by adding water to the base tray or soaking your seed-starting containers in a sink filled with about 2 inches of water. Mist to ensure soil surface is moist but not wet.


Seed cover
photography: Robbie Caponetto


Later:
After seeds sprout, remove plastic covers. As the seeds grow, move the lights farther from the emerging plants, then wait. You’ll notice two long leaves when your seed first emerges, followed by a second set called the "true leaves." That’s when it's time to "thin out" by removing all but the strongest seedling from each cell to space growing plants several inches apart. Begin a half-strength liquid fertilizer regimen on a weekly basis. (Diluted liquid plant food will work.) As the weather warms, take the seed trays outside in the afternoon for a week, then leave outside for several nights before planting—this is called "hardening off." Once spring's in full force, plant in rich, well-prepared garden soil, and keep watered.

Find it Fast

Precision English Seeder $24.95, Gardener’s Supply Company, gardeners.com
Grow light SunLite Tabletop Garden: $175, Gardener's Supply Company, gardeners.com
Germinating Mix $5.95 for 9-quart bag, Gardener's Supply Company, gardeners.com
APS seed trays $9.95 for 24-cell seed starting unit, Gardener's Supply Company, gardeners.com
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