SOME TIPS FOR STARTING VEGETABLE,
FLOWER SEEDS INDOORS

If starting tomato and pepp~r seeds in individual pots, cut
off the extra seedlings at the soil line with a pair of scissors
rather than trying to transplant them. The roots of the seedlings ·which remain will not be disturbed, and the plants will
grow faster.
Close attention should now be paid to watering and feeding. The soilless medium should be damp at all times, but not
quite as wet as during germination. Always use room temperature water.
Feeding can be done at every watering, but dilute the fertilizer to half strength if this system is used. If the small plants
begin to turn pale green or yellowish, increase the amount of
food. Don't spare the fertilizer - soilless mixes contain no
plant nutrients and the seedlings must be fed regularly during
this fast-growth period. Use a balanced soluble fertilizer.
(Organic)
If growing under lights, set an automatic timer to give the
plants 14 to 16 hours of light a day. If you don't have lights,
put them in the sunniest window possible. In four to six
·weeks , they'll be ready to harden off.
Lindsay Totten Tips
Pittsburgh Press, 2/12/84

Some vegetable seeds, such as tomatoes, eggplants, peppers
and cucumbers are easy for home gardeners to start indoors
under lights or on a windowsill. A sturdy transplant can be
ready for the garden in four to six weeks.
Trouble is most gardeners start them too early and end up
with leggy, unhealthy-looking seedlings by mid-May.
Studies have shown that tomato seedlings with just two
pairs of true leaves will not only catch up to, but surpass older
plants during the season. Tomatoes and peppers started around
the first of April should be garden-ready after danger of frost
has passed.
Some seeds, especially those of onions, cabbages, cauliflower and broccoli, are more difficult for home gardeners.
Even under lights, they take longer to produce than tomatoes
or peppers, and sunny days on a windowsill are often too few
to grow sturdy seedlings.
Unlike tomatoes, these vegetables cannot be planted deep if
they get too leggy. Their crowns should be near the surface
when replanted , so it's harder to get away with a leggy transplant. For this reason, a cold frame is indispensable for growing cabbages and broccoli from seed.
When starting your annual flowers, such as snap dragons,
WEEDS ARENT ALL BAD
marigolds and zinnias, check the seed packet for the best time
l. They are deep divers and feeders . Through soil capilto sow the seeds indoors.
larity they help less hardy surface-feeding crops to withstand
Each is different, and some take longer from seed than
drought.
others. While most seeds germinate quickly, the seedlings may
2. They bring minerals, particularly trace elements up
have to be transplanted several times before being put in the
from
the subsoil and make them available to cash crops.
garden.
3. When used in rotation, they break up hardpan and allow
Don't be tempted to start root vegetables like carrots or
crop roots to feed deeply.
beets indoors. When transplanted, the roots will never grow
4. They fiberize and condition the soil, providing a good
straight again.
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nt tor mrnute ammalandplarff life•. - ----Park Seed Co.'s Tom Thumb lettuce is fun to grow from
5. They are good indicators of soil fertility. Certain types
seed. Excellent for container culture, sow the seeds of this
appear when there are deficiencies.
lettuce at intervals so the small heads mature in succession
6. Weeds store minerals and other valuable nutrients that
rather than all at one time.
would be washed, blown or leached away from bare ground.
Seeds can be started in individual pots or flats. Dampen the
soilless seed-starting mix first to avoid the problem of wetting
it after the seeds are sown. In a large plastic bag, squeeze lukewarm water ·through the mix, or mix it with your hands in a
large pot. Pour the dampened mix into a seed tray or pots and
OUT OF THE ATTIC, BARN, TOOL SHED,
pat down firmly.
BASEMENT,WORKPLACE
Make shallow troughs or rows in the prepared trays. SprinWe've come to the conclusion that one needs money to
kle the seeds sparingly, since transplanting will be difficult if
supplement what you can't scrounge, salvage, build yourself
the seedlings come up too close together. To cover the seeds,
or have donated. You'd be surprised how far a little cash goes,
sift milled sphagnum moss evenly over the rows. Very tiny
if you use it only to "fill-in." From time to time , The
seeds should not be covered at all.
Alternator,
will express its gratitude to those who have reTo water the tray, place in a pan of room temperature
sponded
to
our
needs by donating special skills, materials and
water until the soil mix is thoroughly moistened . Watering
equipment.
from above may dislodge the seeds, disrupting their spacing.
This month we are offering our special thanks to: Trudy
Make a label for each type of seed sown, including the
Chandler
of Total Travel, New Castle, PA who recently dovariety and sowing date. Cover each tray with a pane of glass,
nated
$17,000
worth of computing equipment: this includes
or enclose it in a plastic bag. This step is important with tiny
a Honeywell Miniframe , a large printer, and five key-board
seeds, since the surface can dry out very quickly. Put the trays
monitors.
in a warm place.
John Balko of Ear, Nose, Throat and Allergy Associates of
Check the trays each day for germination and to make sure
Greenville, PA who donated a $40,000 passive solar system.
the surface is moist. Water from below if needed . When most
Bob Kobet of Energy Design Associates, Butler, PA and
of the seeds have germinated, remove the glass or plastic and
Doug
Lodge, Contractor, Cochranton, PA , who volunteered
move the seeds to a sunny window or light stand.
their
professional
services to develop the renovation plan for
The seedlings should be transplanted to individual pots
the farmhouse.
when the cotyledon leaves are formed and the first true leaves
Darrell Fry, Sue Morrow, Dawn Shiner and Ted Simanek,
begin to appear. Pry the tiny plants apart, holding them by
Permaculture
Design Consultants who are volunteering their
pinching the cotyledon leaves together. Do not hold them by
skill
in
refining
and implementing the Permaculture Design.
the stem . At this stage , the seedlings will be about an inch tall.