With the arrival of our seeds at Meadow View and the seed catalogs inundating us with their tantalizing selections available for 2014, there are several things to keep in mind before jumping in full force. First, become familiar with the catalog description “key”, usually located somewhere near the order form or the index. As beautiful as all these lovelies may be….they may not all be practical as home starters. Sadly, there are some things that need greenhouse conditions. Day length, amount of quality light, temperature, and water all contribute to successful seed starting. Keep in mind plant descriptions when selecting which varieties you want to try.

If you choose to try starting some of your own plants from seeds this year, here are some things you will need:

Containers - Reuse pots, flats or containers you’ve saved, like egg cartons and yogurt cups. Make sure the pots you choose have drainage holes. Used pots should be cleaned and disinfected by soaking in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.

Potting Mix - Seeds do best in a soilless mix (like our Metro Mix here at MVG) where there are fewer inherent problems than with garden soil

Seeds - Your choice, but pay close attention to their growing requirements.

Labels/markers - Trust us, you won’t remember what’s what!

Plastic Bags or Covers - These will trap warmth and humidity where the seeds need it

Water- Use rain water if you can. Room temperature is best.

Light Source - If you don’t have a bright window, you will need some kind of fluorescent or high intensity plant light.

Remember to keep in mind that the home “seeder” has many pitfalls that aren’t encountered in the professional greenhouse. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t have a huge, viable crop the first try! As with everything, practice and experience make you more successful.