Starting seeds inside

Ailsa Francis, Ottawa Citizen 

Starting seeds inside

Lee Valley's two-or three-tiered light tables maximize growing space.

Thinkstock / Lee Valley / Postmedia News


If you've started 2012 with some resolutions in mind, perhaps starting your own annuals and vegetables from seed is one of them. However, you might be feeling some trepidation about this.

Were you one of many optimistic individuals who bought the "wildflower meadow in a can" only to see nothing happen after carefully scattering the seeds in a corner of your garden?

Growing plants from seed indoors is a different beast altogether from doing it outside. While the indoors is not a natural environment for such growth and you must provide all the elements a plant needs to grow yourself, with success comes a great feeling of satisfaction.

If economy is the main reason why you've chosen to grow your plants from seed, I suggest you spend some money now to maximize your chances. And you'll have to commit to your seeds much like you would a pet. They will need your daily care and attention, not to mention space in your house where you won't forget about them. Your seed starting station might not be as esthetically pleasing as that antique sideboard or mid-century modern chair, but when these plants are gracing your garden this summer, they'll make up for it.

Here are a few tips to send you on your way.

1. Seeds

You browse through the rows and rows of vibrant packages of seeds and choose according to colour and uniqueness. Then you get home and read the packet: "Seed must be stratified (what's that?) and germination takes six to 10 months." What? So much for growing the rare variegated Siberian crow's foot delphinium.

My advice: if you're a beginner, start with seeds you can actually see and don't require you to stand on your head for them to sprout. Try zinnia, calendula, marigold, sunflower and others. Stay away from sweet alyssum, poppy, lobelia and other microscopic seeds. If you're growing veggies, avoid growing cold-loving climbers (peas) and root crops (carrots, potatoes, turnips) indoors and choose instead broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and others.

2. Light

As much as there might be numerous products out there that say, "windowsill this" or "windowsill that", most windowsills aren't the best place to grow seeds. Too cold, too hot, too bright, not enough light. Your seedlings, once sprouted, will require more light than your windowsill can offer - that is, 15 to 18 hours a day. Artificial light is the only way to go to achieve this and if you're willing and handy, you can make your own light table. Gayla Trail of You Grow Girl fame describes how she made hers in a blog entry from last spring (http://www.yougrowgirl.com/2011/02/03/build-a-d-i-y-lighting-system/).

Otherwise, you can purchase a light table from a place like Lee Valley (leevalley.com). For the most growing space a three-tier system is a great choice (retails for $525; lights must be purchased separately). As an alternative, there is a twolevel ($325) as well as a tabletop variety ($195). Finally there is also a Cadillac high-intensity light version ($669) for the well-heeled gardener.

3. Water

It's important to keep seedlings and young plants hydrated or their delicate roots will dry out and the whole plant will follow. But too much water will cause fungal problems, like damping off, where the plant's stem rots at soil level and the growth above collapses.

The use of a self or capillary watering system (Lee Valley sells capillary mats and sturdy polystyrene seed starting systems) will help to guarantee your success or you can simply purchase the plastic greenhouse-style seed starting trays available at many retail outlets. If you are starting a lot of seeds, incorporating a small fan helps to keep air circulating and inhibits excess moisture buildup.

4. Fertilizer

Most growers use a high phosphorus fertilizer when their seedlings have sprouted their first true set of leaves. This nutrient, balanced with lower amounts of nitrogen and potassium, is responsible for encouraging strong root growth. For organic growers, fish-or kelp based fertilizers can be used with good results.

5. Resources

For seed-starting instructions online, check out reneesgarden.com, halifaxseed.ca and this entry from Organic Gardening magazine: organicgardening.com/learnand-grow/starting-seeds.

Books: Plant Propagator's Bible, Miranda Smith (Rodale Books, 2007); Plant Propagation A to Z: Growing Plants for Free, Geoff Bryant (Firefly Books, 2006); The New Seed Starters Handbook, Nancy Bubel (Rodale Books, 1988 - still a classic).

Ailsa Francis's blog can be found at hortus2.wordpress.com.

