SEED STARTING

Home » Home Improvement » Green Living Join Sign in EzineArticles - Expert Authors Sharing Their Best Original Articles Custom Search Search Sadie Tyrpin Basic PLUS Author | 2 Articles Joined: March 21, 2008 United States Annual Seed Starting By Sadie Tyrpin | Submitted On March 11, 2016 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Seeing tiny sprouts break through the ground and peep through the melting snow is sure to make any gardener antsy for Spring, and these last few days of warm weather have certainly been teasing. Although some regions cannot promise consistent warm weather this early in the year, there is still an opportunity to get a head start on the season by starting seedlings in a greenhouse, garden window, or well-lit part of the house. Let's take a look at some of the early stages of starting seedlings and the transformation process from indoor and to outdoor plant. Prepare a Seed Starting Mixture and Sterilize Planters Sterile seedling mix is crucial not only for the initial growth stages of plants, but also preventing for plant diseases, which can be extracted from soils which are not properly sterilized. A seed starting mix can easily be purchased from a greenhouse or garden store. Creating a home-made seed starting mixture is easily done with four simple ingredients: · 4 parts screened compost · 1 part perlite (which can be purchased from most garden stores) · 1 part vermiculite (also can be purchased from most garden stores) · 2 parts coir (fiber extracted from coconut husks) It is also important to sterilize the heat mats and other containers before the seeds are distributed. Organize and Disburse the Seeds Gardeners interested in cultivating something new can check out seed companies, like Jung Seeds, which have a wide repertoire of seeds from which to choose. Seed Savers is another unique organization, which not only sells seeds, but also promotes the conservation of the endangered garden by collecting, sharing, and growing heirloom seeds and plants. Certain seeds are extremely tiny black specs, and some even look like dust, so once the seed order arrives it is not a bad idea dilute them with sugar to ensure they will evenly distribute when sowed. To do this, pour two to three tablespoons of sugar into a small container, sprinkle in the seeds, and then thoroughly mix everything together. Smaller seeds, such as impatients, will not need to be covered with soil, as simply wetting them down after disbursing will cover the seeds enough. Transplant the Seeds Once the seedlings begin to sprout, they can be transplanted into individual pots and placed on a deck, patio, or other sheltered outdoor area for a few hours a day for an adjustment period of about 10 days. The adjustment period, also called "hardening off" gradually exposes the plants to various environmental changes, including sun and wind exposure. If they are immediately transplanted into full sun exposure, they will be at risk to sunburn and other damage. After 10 days, the plants will be ready for full outdoor residence. Hardening off can also occur in outdoor cold frames. If the seeds will be started in a greenhouse, make sure the structure's heating, cooling, ventilation, and other growing accessories are in perfect working order before cultivation begins. Now is also a great time to sharpen gardening tools, stock up on fertilizers, and think about laying out the garden's structure (if not already done). Now that the seedlings are started, it's only a matter of weeks before the gardening will be in full swing! If you are interested in more information on Solar Innovations, Inc.'s product line, please contact the marketing department at skylight@solarinnovations.com or by calling 800-618-0669. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Sadie_Tyrpin/1950223 0 Comments | Leave a Comment Did you find this article helpful? Happy Face0 Sad Face0 Viewed 9 times Word count: 534 Article Tools EzinePublisher Report this article Cite this article Stay Informed Subscribe to New Article Alerts: Home Improvement: Green-Living Sadie Tyrpin Email Address Subscribe We will never sell or rent your email address. Green Living Article Feed Green Living Article Feed Find More Articles Search Similar Articles Early Spring Chores to Start the Garden Off Right Passive Solar Greenhouses Installing Solar Panels - Is It Worth the Cost? Illuminate Garden Art With Solar Accent Lights Become Popular Around Town With Garden Solar Lights Save Money and Keep Your Gardening Hobby Going With Garden Solar Products DIY Outdoor Solar Shower How to Live a Green Lifestyle Going Green Without Breaking The Bank Inexpensive Seed Starting Recent Articles American Arborvitae on the Tree Guide Why Choose Solar Lighting? Why Log Cabins Provide The Perfect Summer Ideal Different Forms of Green Energy Log Cabins In Spring: What You Should Know Solar Power in the Years to Come High Housing Cost Getting You Down - An Eco-Friendly Log Home Is Much Cheaper 10 Tips For Choosing The Perfect Garden Log Cabin Farming With Integrity and Gardening Responsibly How Do I Compost? EzineArticles.com About Us FAQ Contact Us Member Benefits Privacy Policy Shop Site Map Blog Training Video Library Advertising Affiliates Cartoons Authors Submit Articles Members Login Premium Membership Expert Authors Endorsements Editorial Guidelines Terms of Service Publishers Terms Of Service Ezines / Email Alerts Manage Subscriptions EzineArticles RSS © 2017 EzineArticles All Rights Reserved Worldwide