Seed Starting Workshop/Potluck

By Canny Cahn

On February 24, an eager crew of nine GCW members met at Canny Cahn's home for a seed starting workshop/potluck lunch. The food inspired attendees to plant four different types of cherry tomatoes, plus whatever some of them had brought to the session. 

The diminutive tomato types were chosen because (1) they thrive on early planting and (2) have proven to do well when grown in pots, unlike some of the larger tomato varieties that suffered last summer in Maine's unpredictable climate. 

Several attendees talked about unique tomato transplanting techniques: potting starts after they have set their first "true" leaves, burying seedlings up to their necks in soil as they move on to larger pots (they sprout strong side stems below the soil surface), and even laying mature transplants sideways in short trenches (for added strength and nourishment) when they move out to their permanent garden spots.  

In addition to tomato tips, here are a few other seed-starting tricks:

• Seed tape is handy but expensive to purchase.  Make your own by cutting a paper towel lengthwise, dampen the section, and set seeds in place at the suggested planting distance (a little gooey food, like butter or oil, will glue them in place). Fold tightly in thirds and plant. Waaaa laaaah!

• Vining plants like Morning Glories can be started up with chopsticks in individual paper cups. Be sure to soak the seeds before planting.

• From Beth Maxwell - Squashes of all types can be started in empty cardboard tubes - think TP empties and halved paper towel remainders.  When it's time for them to go outside, bury the tube up to the true leaves in a garden hill, and the veg is ready to do its thing. (Note: This technique is new to me.  I'm already saving cardboard rolls - C.)

  
  

Given the energy in this group and the number of members who regretted that they couldn't attend the workshop, let's call this The First Annual GCW Seed Starting Workshop: same place, same month next year.