Here in NE Ohio we have been witnessing all the winter weather this weekend.
We woke up to snow yesterday, then it warmed up enough to change to rain. Then this morning we had some fog, rain and now the temps have lowered to change that rain back to snow. We are trying to look at the bright side and remember that precipitation, in any form, is so good for our area. Last summer we were in a drought situation, so far this winter has been snowy and rainy, which helps hydrate our ground so very much!
With all this wintery mix, I decided it was time to get a cup of coffee, a notepad and pen, and my collection of seeds to decide what seeds could be started this week.
*If you are interested in learning more about starting seeds, saving seeds, winter gardening and benefits of getting your hands in the dirt , during the month of February I have my ebook, The Simple Homestead, on sale! Its full of lots of bite sized information to help you get started on your own Homesteading journey. https://brinkerfamilyfarm.com/product/the-simple-homestead-ebook/
What are we planning to start now?
I pulled tomatoes, peppers, an eggplant, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and salad greens seeds to get started and under the lights. Here’s the video I made last spring starting seeds https://youtu.be/Kcoy5xLf8Wk?si=LFrZxD1BhEgIJ6eV
I like to get all these started by the end of February, that way they have plenty of time to get a good start before we plant things outside.
The cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and salad greens I will be able to plant out mid- March and beyond. My plans is to get these plants and some onion sets, carrots, beets and peas planted in the hoop house and in some raised beds we have in our garden spaces. The biggest things I will be watching is where our lows get during the nights.
Seed Starting is Easy Peasy
Now for the fun part. You have picked out all the wonderful seeds you want to plant and its time to get them in some soil.
Over the years I have used many different soils and containers to start the seeds. This year I’m using a mix of Super Soil and Compost from Bull Country Compost in Dundee, Ohio. Our local hardware store offers bags of both these mixes. If you think you will be needing a lot (like us, we are filling raised beds this year) you can also go to Dundee and buy by the yard.
When it comes to seeds, you can get seeds from almost anywhere, dollar stores, to online stores. One of my favorite seed companies is Botanical Interest. Each pack of seeds offers all the possible information you would need to know to start, grow and use the plants. They offer seeds at a great price and often have sales on anything from seeds to seed starting supplies. https://bit.ly/bffbotanicalinterest
For containers, I have used seed starting containers, cardboard egg cartons, milk jugs, and solo cups with pencil sized hole in the bottom, to name a few. They all have good and bad qualities, but overall they hold soil and seeds and that’s what we are looking for.
I find its good to account for a few extra plants, because sometimes the seeds don’t germinate or over the course of starting and growing seedlings you will lose a few plants before they get planted outside.
Once you have your dirt, containers, seeds and cup of something hot to drink you are ready to get started!
If using seed starting containers or egg cartons I like to fill those containers with damp soil. The taller containers its best to fill about 3/4 the space. You want to make sure the soil is not dry or so wet its dripping through your hands. Then I like to add 2 seeds to each divided section, or individual solo cup and cover with a thin layer of dirt. By adding 2 seeds I find that it lets me start more seeds in a smaller space. When the plants are big enough to up-pot you can separate the seedlings if both seeds germinated.
After you have your seeds in the dirt and labeled its a good idea to cover the containers. If you buy specific seed starting supplies you will probably have a clear lid you can put on top. If you are reusing containers or cups you can use clear wrap over the containers. Either way will help keep the soil from becoming dry quickly and will offer a humid spot for the seeds to germinate. As soon as your seedlings emerge, you can get rid of the clear coverings.
The last two things that will help you grow strong and healthy plants, is lighting and watering.
Any light will work, a grow light is best but if you a window or 4-bulb fluorescent light will work as well. The most important thing is that you are able to adjust the height of your lights. When the seeds are germinating you will want the light lower than when you have seedlings that are a few inches tall. Its also a good idea to set your lights on a timer for 14 hours. Its good for plants to have a period of darkness like they will once they are planted outdoors. Here is a video sharing the growing setup I was gifted https://youtube.com/shorts/8m_uoUest6s?si=MqEPel01DJmyCxf9
Last but not least is watering. You want to make sure the soil stays damp. If the soil gets dry, those baby seedlings will be deader than dead in no time. If the soil is too wet the roots will rot and you will find yourself starting seeds over or buying plants from the someone else. I like to check the seedlings every day while they they are young and in small containers. Once the plants are bigger and up potted (separated into larger individual containers), you can get away with checking them every other day.
Safe temps to plant outside.
The salad greens and onion sets can germinate and grow in temps as low as 35 degrees F. While the cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, beets and peas will do better at 40-45 degrees F. The nice thing about having our hoop house is that they will have a little extra layer of protection if the temps will dip below the above mentioned temps.
All of our tomatoes, peppers and eggplants starts will be staying our seed starting area until mid to end May, depending on how low the nights are. All of our plants that we start are started in our basement. As it gets close to a safe time to plant them out in the garden.
I will transition the plants to our garage and then set times where they get to spend some time out in the direct sunlight. This is a slow and steady process to allow the plants a chance to adjust and then makes them stronger plants when it is safe to plant them in the garden. Most of these plants like 75 degrees F soil temps to thrive and not become stunted in the planting out process.
I look forward to sharing more with you all as the season moves on.
Until then, Grow Something Beautiful Friends,
Julie
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