starting seeds indoors
DESCRIPTION
Starting seeds indoors, including germination requirements and problem-solving. Video is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOwpx0CXtK4TRANSCRIPT
Seed Starting
Seed Savers Exchange 2013 Webinar Series
Presented by Jennifer Zoch
Our mission is to save North America’s diverse, but endangered, garden heritage for future generations by building a network of people committed to collecting, conserving, and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity.
Why Should I Start From Seed?
Transplants
82 varieties sold at LGVC
23 varieties of tomatoes, peppers, ground cherries available in the catalog
Seeds
12,495 varieties in theseed exchange (Yearbook)
597 varieties in the commercial catalog
1 transplant
$1.75 at LGVC
$3.00 in commercial catalog
packet of 25 seeds
$2.75 at LGVC and in the commercial catalog
earlier end product
long-season crops in short-season climates
Initial Planning
number of seeds
direct seeding vs. transplanting
*Source: Nancy Bubel’s The New Seed-Starters Handbook
Onions 12-14 weeks before safe planting-out date
Peppers 8-12 weeks before last frost
Eggplant 6-8 weeks before last frost
Tomatoes 6-8 weeks before last frost
Lettuce 5-6 weeks before safe planting-out date
Cole crops 5-6 weeks before safe planting-out date
Cucumbers and melons 2-4 weeks before last frost
potting mix
containers
labeling
heat
light
sowing seed
seed coat
epicotyl
cotyledonseed anatomy
seed depth
Humidity
water and humidity
growth phase
Troubleshooting
transplanting
hardening off
Recommended ReadingCutler, K.D. (1998) Starting from Seed: The Natural
Gardener’s Guide to Propagating PlantsTurner, C.B. (1998) Seed Sowing and Saving Ashworth, S. (2002) Seed to Seed: Seed Saving and
Growing Techniques for Vegetable GardenersBubel, N. (1988) The New Seed-Starters HandbookReilly, A. (1978) Park’s Success with Seeds
Thank you! Questions?
2013 Seed Savers Exchange Webinar Series
For more information please visit these resources:
Seed Savers Exchange website: www.seedsavers.orgForum: forum.seedsavers.org
Online Yearbook: yearbook.seedsavers.org
To learn more about seed saving
Read Suzanne Ashworth’s Seed-to-Seed
Visit www.seedalliance.org for the free publication, A Seed Saving Guide for Gardeners & Farmers
long-season crops
short-season crops