For those who start from seeds...

There are some vegetables (and flowers) that need to be started 16 weeks before setting out. All of my organized research is at work, so right now I can't say what. I am pretty sure, however, that at least most of them are things that need to wait until frost danger is past before moving outside.

However, what this means is that I need to get organized and ready - it's not that far off! Last year, June snuck up on me so fast, so I want to make sure not to miss growing something because I didn't start the seeds in time!

Tell me what you are doing - are you organized already? Starting anything new this year?

And, PS, this coming week I'll be posting what seeds I have or will have available for sharing.

I've made out my tentative list of seed starting which is 12 weeks before frost with Broccoli, Cabbage and Parsley. That's 2/5 to 2/11 for me since I changed my frost date earlier after last year. I plan to cover any seedlings should a frost arrive but this year I want to be ready to start early enough to get both a spring and a fall crop from my brassicas. Mine were a disaster in the spring due to a heat wave that ruined my cool crops last year.

When I'm not enjoying my seed starting and garden planning, I make quilts so it doesn't get boring in my home. I'm always busy with something.

Whoa Martha - thanks for the heads up! I'm new, and I missed some fall planting dates last year because I didn't expect to have to plant in the hottest part of the summer! Don't want to make the same mistake this spring! I wonder if I should consider starting some seeds indoors. From my reading around here, it sounds like too much trouble for me. But, I am awfully lazy about some stuff.

Gwennifer - I am just about the laziest gardener there is, and I have started seeds for the last 2 years. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it. If you want to give it a try, start with just a few seeds that need a headstart. If they work this season, you can add more to effort next season!
GG

January 1st saw 16 tomatoes planted from seed, 4 different varieties. January 15th will see peppers planted. We have to plant them this early because of the intolerable summer heat(this way we also get to plant these twice in a single year, with the 2nd batch being heat tolerant).

Luckily all the cole crops can be planted directly in the ground because we don't really get snow or long periods of hard freezes. So far everything has survived the 3 days of light frosts we've had.

The warm weather crops I am trialing in my new, home built, experimental miniature seed starting greenhouse thing(I'm sure it has a proper name, but I can't figure it out). Simply put, it's about 5 trays of speedling(not misspelled) flats in a table with 6 mil(couldn't find 11 mil) plastic going over a PVC frame with wood supports, along with a misting setup tied into my drip irrigation(I really need to order a 1/2" shutoff valve though. The misting system puts out a LOT of water.)

It looks like I'll be giving the system a try today since we have a freeze warning for overnight. I wish I would have saved more gallon jugs for thermal mass though...

What I used to do was plant seeds which I didn't care for adequately, but they kept me entertained until it was time to buy seedlings from the garden centers and nurseries! Then a few years ago, I accidentally took good care of them, and now I am hooked on seed-starting!

I think its worth the extra bit of care to start your own seeds when you know you can have any heirloom or hybrid you want and not depend on what is available, and very limited choices I might add, at the nurseries and home building stores.

With a heat mat, a couple of track lights with daylight bulbs, you can start your own seed in your basement or your furnace room or a corner of a den or playroom. I start mine in our furnace room. The furnace gives off enough heat that even in March and April in Maine, its warm enough for new seedlings to take hold and grow under lights. If I can do it anyone can, because I'm just not a green thumb-type of person. To keep a houseplant alive, I struggle, as do they.

Start a few seeds. You might like it.

These charts might help you get ready:

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/flower_chart.htm

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/veggie_chart.htm

http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/herb_chart.htm

j

Now is when to get all those seeds ordered. Which is why all the seed companies catalogs come in the mail this time of year.

I am getting a good idea of the new varieties I want to try. Also crossing a few off my list that I grew last year that didn't work out as planned.

I am growing cabbage and carrots in my SFG that I have covered right now (Philly).

I won't worry about starting anything else that will eventually get placed outside until March 15th.

Have fun.

I start nearly all my plants from seed. I grow mostly heirloom and open pollinated varieties & they aren't usually available locally.

I start my peppers the first week of Feb. because they usually are slow growers inside for me, then tomatoes get planted around 2/25.

I found this automatic seed starting chart last year, it might possibly have been posted here on the forum. You simply put in your frost-free date & it automatically generates a chart with basic veggies. seed starting chart

Another one was from Johnny's, Seed starting

COME ON SPRING!

GREAT find Dixie.

I'm going to post this as a sticky in the mid-south region. It's great information.

Thanks for sharing

martha wrote:What I used to do was plant seeds which I didn't care for adequately, but they kept me entertained until it was time to buy seedlings from the garden centers and nurseries! Then a few years ago, I accidentally took good care of them, and now I am hooked on seed-starting!

Love it! That sounds like what I would do!

Dixie -

Fabulous planting guide from Farmer's Almanac, handy and exactly what I've been looking for on one handy sheet. Thank you! LM

Thanks for the reminders Dixie! I forgot all about the Johnny's chart - and I had it saved in my Favorites from last year!
GG

Thanks

I will start my seed pretty soon. I am waiting for my In-laws to leave then will have more space. I hope I can start early enough to get a jump on our super hot weather

A nifty Idea Winter Sowing I am all over this!

Brilliant! I can't wait to try this!

I start most of my larger plants from seeds. I have a much wider choice of varieties by doing so, plus it's so much cheaper than buying plants.

I have two major exceptions.

First is alliums, as to grow enough onions or leeks to be useful, I'd have to have a much larger seed setup than I do. I can't grow hundreds of seedlings here, but we use hundreds of onions each year.

And second is oregano, which just never seems to germinate very well, so I just buy a plant each year. I have no idea why I can't grow oregano, but I've given up.

Camprn - I saw that last night on pinterest. LOL

I just placed another order with Baker's Creek. Broccoli has been started , I'm getting up with my mom to see what herbs she wants to grow and get those started for her this week.

I need another grow light and heat mat! but have to wait til payday.

magnicmom.....If you are doing Wintersowing, you don't need a heat mat and grow light. You cast your seeds in the covered containers and put them right outside to take the winter sun and also its cold.

I've done winter sowing for flowers for a couple of years now. Wintersown.org has a wealth of information and several lists of seeds that can be done in this manner, even suggestions for extreme climate & moderate climate, flowers, herbs and veggies.

Here is the link to their seed lists, then you can click on what you are interested in from there. wintersown seed lists

quiltbea wrote:magnicmom.....If you are doing Wintersowing, you don't need a heat mat and grow light. You cast your seeds in the covered containers and put them right outside to take the winter sun and also its cold.

No, the heat mat is for the peppers, they need to be started next month in my area.

I'd like to try that idea maybe next winter but I do have hoop houses.