They need eight to 10 weeks of growth indoors before they can be transplanted in the garden. Plant slow-growing vegetables such as onions, leeks and scallions first. Be prepared to transfer your plants to larger pots filled with a potting mix amended with compost once they have two sets of true leaves - the second set of leaves to emerge. Additionally, you need small pots or cell trays, labels and a warm place with plenty of sunlight. If you choose to make a growing medium yourself, combine equal parts of sand, perlite or vermiculite and coir. To plant your seeds, you need a growing medium, ideally a sterile, peat-free, commercial, seed-starting mix. You can extend viability by providing good storage conditions, such as in a moisture-proof container in a refrigerator or freezer. Onion seeds, for instance, are usually viable for one year, while tomato seeds are generally viable for five years or longer. Some seeds naturally have a shorter life span than others. For those seeds, you can either double the number of seeds you had planned to plant to increase the chances of having enough seeds germinate, or you can choose to buy new, fresher seed. But if only four seeds sprouted, you have a 40% germination rate. If eight seeds sprouted, you have a germination rate of 80% and your seed will likely be good to use. Some seeds, such as carrots and peppers, can take longer to sprout. After three days, check for sprouted seeds. Place the bag in a warm spot, about 70 degrees. To perform a germination test, wrap 10 seeds in a moist paper towel and put in a plastic bag left open at the top. If your date stamp is three years old or more, or if the seed hasn’t been stored in cool, dark and dry conditions, you can do a germination test to reveal if your seeds are viable. Is your seed old? How well has it been stored? A seed packet normally has a date stamp that indicates when it was packed. Once you have decided which seeds to start, check your seed packets. Be aware that as climate change continues to modify local weather patterns, this date may change. Count back from that date the number of weeks the plant needs to grow indoors to determine the date for starting your seeds.
Taking an average from these areas, the last spring frost day we typically use is April 15.
In Sonoma County, we have a number of micro-climates, each with a different last spring frost date. Knowing your last spring frost date is key to determining the best time to start seeds. Plant them too late and they won’t mature before the growing season is over. If you start seeds too soon and plant them outdoors before it’s warm enough for them to thrive, your plants could suffer. Before planting your seeds, consider how long it will take for the plants to get big enough to transplant outside. Timing is one of the most important things to consider when planning any garden. How do I know if they are still usable?Īnswer: It is always tempting to get seeds planted as soon as the seed catalogs start to arrive in the mail, but take time to think about which seeds you want to start and to gather your seed starting supplies. How soon can I get started? I’ve had some seeds in my garage for a few years, with no use-by date on the package. Question: I would like to get a head start on my veggie garden this year and plant some seeds indoors.
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