Can’t wait for spring? Try starting seeds indoors

By Barb Delisio

OSU master gardener volunteer

OSU at the Mahoning County Extension Office is offering a very interesting, enlightening educational series the third Monday of every month.

April 18 is the date of the next class on pruning trees and shrubs around your home.

I had the privilege of teaching the March class on starting seeds indoors. If you missed the class, this article will give you enough information to begin sowing your seeds inside, in preparation for your summer garden.

You’ve probably heard this before, but the first thing is to start with clean containers. Either buy new ones or clean last year’s containers in hot, soapy water. Rinse to get rid of the soap and then sanitize in a solution of one part chlorine bleach to ten parts water. Rinse again in clear water and let air dry.

Choose a soilless seed starting mix for plants with no fertilizer included. Never use soil from your garden. The soil must be sanitized so no weeds or diseases grow. There are factsheets online that show how to sanitize old garden soil, but it’s easier to buy a new bag of soilless seed starting mix.

Your containers should have holes in the bottom to allow for bottom watering. Wet the soil until it forms a clump in your hand. Then, stuff the wet soil into your container almost to the top.

Check your seed packets to see the time it takes to germinate the seeds and the time from germination to transplanting.

To know when to start your seeds count back from our average last frost date (Mahoning County is around May 11-30). Then continue counting backwards, adding germination time and time from germination to transplant stage.

For example, tomato plants need about 14 days to germinate and seven weeks to be ready to put outdoors. Counting back from Memorial Day to seed planting day is about nine weeks, getting us to March 16. Although you’re behind about a week, you should be OK.

Seeds should be sown individually following packet directions as to depth and light needs.

The seeds will have to be under lights to germinate and grow into strong, sturdy plants. I cover the tray with a plastic top or clear, plastic wrap. This allows the seeds to warm up for germination. I place the seeded tray in a larger tray and fill the bottom tray with water. Always water from beneath to keep seeds healthy and avoid “dampening off”.

Once the seeds have germinated, remove the plastic covering to give your plants the room they need to grow up straight towards the lights.

Your lights should always be 4 inches from the top of the plants.

Once seedlings emerge, begin a regular fertilization program and always water from the bottom. This ensures that the plants take up only what they need in water and encourages deep root development.

Transplant the seedlings to individual containers once the first set of true leaves appear. Use a pencil or small stick to lift the seedlings from the seed flat. Plant each seedling individually in its own pot filled with potting mix, not potting soil. Tap the seedling firmly in the mix to get it well established.

When the time arrives for transplanting to the outside, choose a cloudy day or plant late in the day so the hot sun does not dry out your new plants.

All seeds are not to be planted indoors. Vegetable plants for starting indoors and easily transplanting out are broccoli, cabbage, eggplant, lettuce, onions, leeks, tomatoes and peppers.

Planted indoors with some care in transplanting are beets, celery, chard, melons and squash.

Seeds to be planted directly in soil outside are beans, corn, cucumbers, peas and okra.

Most flower seeds grown indoors transplant well.

Flower seeds difficult to transplant are poppy, larkspur, lupine, sweet pea and cornflower.

Make your plan and checklist to start your seeds go.osu.edu/startingplan.