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Why You Can and Should Start Your Own Seedlings

By Canny Cahn


I'm writing this piece on the morning after our first real snowfall. My garden is invisible, I've no errands to run, my eyes are spinning circles after too much reading, and I'm trying hard to stay out of the kitchen. 

Sound familiar?

 


                                           Time to start some seeds!

 

If you have never grown your garden from scratch, here’s (1) why you should and (2) an invitation to a seed-starting workshop and potluck luncheon at my house later this month.

 

What you’ll gain:

 

  1. Variety

You will never, EVER find the diversity of plants available in even the most excellent greenhouse that you will encounter in an average-to-good seed catalog. Growers cannot maintain the space, energy, watering systems, or staff necessary to nourish the hundreds of vegetable and flower seed varieties existent today. In addition, it would take an army of knowledgeable workers stationed at every nursery to match the educational information available in a single, well-written catalogue.

 

Which leads to…

 

  1. Choice

Anyone can buy vegetables at a farm stand or flowers from a nursery. If these predictable choices appeal to you, fill up your cart and enjoy. But a discriminating cook seeks unique veggies for taste, freshness, culinary pleasure, and health; a flower gardener strives for unusual combinations and innovative approaches. Like a “scratch cook,” a scratch gardener seeks novelty and quality that caters to all five senses. For example, while the best nursery may offer the usual varieties of green and yellow squashes or the three most common sweet peas, catalogs usually offer ten or more types bred for remarkable colors and scents. One visit to an arboretum will open your eyes to what’s out there, and not just from domestic breeders. The British are rightfully noted for their amazing gardens. Their seed stock is available online and through specialty mailings.

 

And then there’s…

 

  1. Economics

Pre-grown vegetable and flower packs have skyrocketed in cost under the pressure of transportation and sustainability. Nurseries must keep raising their price points to compensate for the uptick in fuel, water, electricity, and growing mediums (Note: plastic pots are petroleum-based, and peat squares diminish the declining world bog sources. Most new fiber pots either decompose too quickly or are sourced in questionable manners). But home seed starters can collect and repurpose empty packaging – meat department trays, halved milk cartons, juice jugs, and more – which, after a simple clean-up, can be used over and better for starting seeds.

 

But wait. There’s more…!

 

  1. Satisfaction

 “Every seed gardener is, by nature, an optimist.” That’s a well-known line. Few images are more hopeful than the sight of seeds sprouting in a window framed by snow.  They are not just harbingers of veggies in a salad bowl or a garden full of flowers, but of warm days, scampering wildlife, and times-to-come in woods and water.  Pruning, transplanting, and nurturing plant babies are all healthy activities for mind and body; they let growers “window shop” their next steps: tilling, planting, arranging (and rearranging) garden plans with an optimism that fights winter malaise. Even the stormiest, most claustrophobic days can be eased by daily attention to strong green seedlings. Growing seeds in winter makes for a mental spa day.

 

And then there’s the plain old satisfaction of growing your own…

 

  1. Growing seeds is a feel-good hobby. And easy.  Just find your spot. Got a warm, bright windowsill or covered radiators - ones that you can pet-proof from wagging tales and curious paws? If you want to add warmth or light, heat mats are easy to find online, as are light bulbs and strips in myriad forms. Smart shopping makes these products inexpensive and they are VERY effective. If you want to elevate your seed starting, a four-tier, easy-to-assemble indoor greenhouse can be had for less than fifty dollars. It goes up and goes down quickly, and can fit a corner of most any room.

 

Finally…

 

  1. The actual “how to” of planting seeds is subjective and differs from one variety to the next. Most catalogs do a fine job of explaining soil mediums, depth, watering, and transplanting; in a more abbreviated fashion, individual seed packets cover timing, depth, watering, and other details. One common bond is certain:  NOW is the time to order seeds, get some started, and eye the next two months for planting dates and last frost dates for each variety.

 

If you are interested in learning how to start your own seeds, please text me (at the number listed for me in our yearbook) by February 15.  I’ll seek a time that works best for the group. Non-members and kids of all ages are welcome!

 

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1 Comment


nangelia
nangelia
Feb 03

Hi! Great article Canny!

I was just at Dollar General in Wiscasset last week and bought some seed starter trays for $5 each. I thought it was a bargain since buying 36 pots with soil and tray separately would cost a lot more than that. Happy seed catalog shopping!



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