How to start seeds: Gardeners can get a jump on growing season now

Every year that I have gardened, I have bought seedlings. Whether I was growing a tomato plant and a few herbs in pots on an apartment balcony or working in my backyard garden, I have always loved picking fresh vegetables for my dinner. I have been mostly self-taught, however, and seedlings grown by professionals always seemed the easiest route to get my garden started.

This year, however, I want to expand my skills - and hopefully save some money - by growing my own seedlings. But I wondered where to start. Do I need special equipment? When should I get my seeds started? How much work would be involved? Would it be doable for a novice like me?

It's definitely doable, said Mandy Dickerson, owner of Moon in June Herbs in Iowa City. She will lead an upcoming seed starting workshop Tuesday at the Iowa City Robert A. Lee Recreation Center. 'It takes a bit of space, but if one has a few shelves that get good light, it's rather easy. The skills are not hard skills,” she said. 'You'll have to devote some space and time, but you get the joy of planting seeds and seeing them grow.”

I also asked advice from Linn County Master Gardener Shelby Foley, who led a seed starting class at February's Winter Gardening Fair. As lead grower at Lowe Park Greenhouse in Marion, she was overseeing seed starting efforts March 2 for plants that will be sold at the Master Gardener spring plant sale. She works alongside other master gardeners including assistant growers Coleen Kint and Tina Patterson.

The first step, Kint said, is to know the difference between dirt and soil. In this case, dirt is the generic term for whatever you might find in your backyard, which is too dense for seedling's tender roots and might not hold moisture well enough. Soil, on the other hand, is a specially formulated growing medium. The Lowe Park team make their own potting and seedling soil, but most home gardeners are best off purchasing a seed starting potting mix at any garden center.

The second step is to know your seeds. Once you decide what you want to plant, consult the seed packets for details on growing times and best conditions. Some seeds, like radishes, carrots and other root vegetables, typically don't need to be germinated indoors and can be planted directly in the garden once spring has truly sprung. For those plants that do best with indoor germination, check the seed packet for how many weeks before the last frost they should be started.

Mother's Day - May 14 this year - is a good bellwether date for when it is safe to bet there won't be another frost in Iowa, and thus when it is safe to transplant seedlings. So if a seed needs to begin germination six weeks before last frost, wait until the beginning of April to start the seeds. But if it needs nine weeks, this is the perfect time to get started. Cold weather produce like lettuce and parsley can be transplanted earlier, in the second week of April, so those seeds can be started now as well.

The next thing you need is pots. I bought a set of peat seedling pots from a garden center, which can be transplanted directly in the ground along with the plant, but there are plenty of things that can be used. Plastic seedling containers from previous years are ideal, if you've saved them, as are any shallow tray or pot.

As far as lighting goes, a warm spot near an east or west window may be sufficient. If using a south window, keep the trays back from direct sunlight, Foley recommends. Otherwise, you can create your own light and heat source with a metal baking rack and two tube shop lights, with one cool and one warm tube. A gooseneck floor lamp works as well.

The final things you need are a misting bottle to keep the soil moist as the seeds germinate, and a plastic covering to retain humidity. Plastic wrap supported by rods in the corner of the pots will work.

Once you've gathered your equipment, you can start planting. Foley recommends mixing the potting soil water in a basin - it should hold together when you compress a handful and fall apart when you open your hand.

'Always start with a moist mix,” she said. 'The number one reason for failure is the seeds get too dry. Seedlings and germinating things really need their water.”

Densely pack the pots so the seeds will be in good contact with the soil, plant the seeds according to the package instructions and then cover the seeds with a shallow cover layer of dry potting soil. Small seeds do not need an additional covering with dry soil. Mist the top of the tray and cover it with a tray cover or plastic wrap, creating a miniature green house effect. Remove the cover when 50 percent of the seedlings have germinated - when they have started to sprout. If using a natural light source, rotate the pots daily and mist the soil if it dry. Foley recommends 'bottom watering” the pots if needed - sitting them in a tray of water that can soak up through the bottom of the pots. This does not disturb the seedlings while keeping the soil moist. A fan on a low setting is helpful to keep air circulating around the seedlings.

Dickerson and Foley both recommended planting more seeds than you'll ultimately want in your garden, as not all the seeds will germinate. If you end up with extras, share them with friends or neighbors, or even eat the sprouts on salads.

'It's something I do with kale or chard,” Dickerson said. 'Some people use their sprouts as micro greens.”

She said once the plants are ready to transplant - once they have true leaves - she recommends giving them a period to 'harden off,” to get used to the outdoor elements. Shelter them under a porch or near the house for a day or two before planting.

'Sometimes a seedling can get shocked. They need to get used to the wind, the sunlight, the rain. Don't let them get baked by the sun right away.”

The seedlings won't be ready for that stage for several weeks. In the meantime, the best way to remain patient until spring is to 'dream about these plants,” Foley said.

'To take a very tiny seed and plant it and end up a month later with a beautiful plant of flower or vegetable ... it's renewing. Some of the seeds they're working with are minuscule, and to

seem them come alive, it's amazing.”

Get your hands dirty

' What: Seed starting workshop with Backyard Abundance

' Where: Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City

' When: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (3/14)

' Cost: $15 resident, $20 non-resident

' Tickets: apm.activecommunities.com

' What: Seed starting workshop with Linn County Master Gardeners

' Where: Marion Public Library, 1095 Sixth Ave., Marion

' When: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 22

' Cost: Free

' Information: marionpubliclibrary.org/calendar/master-gardeners-spring-series

' Have seed starting questions? Call the Master Gardener Hort Line at (319) 447-0647.

l Comments: (319) 398-8434; alison.gowans@thegazette.com