When the seed catalogs start to appear in the mailbox, around mid-January, a gardener's fingers start to itch. We want to see sprouts! Since our soil is too cold and hard to do anything during the winter, consider starting seeds indoors. Your project can be as small or as large as your facilities and time allow. Below are a few guidelines for starting seeds indoors. Don't be afraid to experiment because some plants can surprise you!
Getting Started: Visit the local nurseries to peruse the seed selections. They normally sell only seeds that will grow in Santa Fe. If ordering seeds, you will need to look for Zones 4, 5 or 6 - depending on where the plants are placed – a south facing wall, in shade or on the north side of your garden.
The best guides for starting seeds indoors are individual seed packets which give advice on when to start the seeds, light, moisture and other growing requirements. Most instructions advise starting seeds a certain time before the last frost. May 15 is considered the last frost date in Santa Fe, but only as a guideline. If we're having a cold May, use your head and wait before putting those plants you've babied outside.
Perennials can be started indoors anytime. The time to start annual plants indoors from seeds depends on the individual plant. Use the seed packet to guide you. Some seeds are actually better sown outdoors when the weather turns warm. Suggested plants follow at the end of this article.
Location: Most plants (not all) like a sunny exposure. Consider some cool-white florescent bulbs if you don’t have a window that will do. If you have a greenhouse or hoophouse you’re good to go!
Supplies: Seeds, containers, growing medium, florescent light bulbs if needed, water spray bottle and/or a small watering can with a thin spout.
Containers: There are a variety of containers for starting seeds: Plastic pots; clay pots; peat or fiber pots; trays; and even egg cartons. Just be sure they are clean and drain well. Soak fiber pots before using because they draw moisture away from the soil.
Growing Medium: The best and easiest growing medium is a good commercial product because it is sterile and free of unwanted seeds. It is not recommended to use soil from the garden because it can contain unwanted weed seeds.
Sowing the Seeds:
• Loosely fill containers with soil, leveling off about 1 inch from the top. Many experts advise soaking the soil and letting it drain before sowing seeds.
• Check seed packet for soil coverage instructions. Some seeds need to be covered, some do not. Also check for light requirements. Some seeds need darkness - newspaper makes a good cover. Sow the seeds thinly and as evenly as possible.
• Water lightly using a spray bottle or a small watering can. Let it drain.
Germination: Most seeds germinate between 5 to 15 days. Thin seedlings so they aren’t cramped. This is hard for some gardeners to do, but it promotes strong growth on the seeds left in the container.
Maintaining your Plants: Check the plants often to insure they do not dry out. They should be kept moist but not soaked. Tip: if the medium looks light, it is probably time to water. Also, watering in daylight is best to allow leaves to dry before dark sets in. If the plants are in a window, turn them frequently to maintain a more erect growth.
Transplanting to Outdoors: Several weeks before planting, move the containers to a slightly cooler place outdoors (weather permitting - use common sense) for a few hours and gradually increase the time in that place each day. This is called "hardening off" which allows the plants to acclimate to the weather.
When transplanting, watering the ground outside will help prevent transplant shock, and planting on a cloudy day will keep the sun from wilting the seedlings. Water transplants immediately and deeply every day for one week to keep the plants from developing shallow roots.
Suggested Plants: (Partial list and only suggestions )
Perennials: (Note: perennials can be started any time)
