THE ROGERS PARK GARDEN GROUP

Ruta Lietuvninkas February 24, 2009
Seed Starting Indoors

PRIOR TO MARCH
Planning:

**Identify location for germinating
**Identify location for growing on under lights
**Identify max quantity of seed trays that will fit under lights
**Select seeds based on:
    -Number of seed trays
    -Garden plan
    -Germination difficulty
    -Direct sowing
    -Other plant objectives

Purchasing:
**Seeds
**Seed trays – replacement parts
**Germinating/seed starting mix
**Plant food
**Light fixtures/bulbs
**Racks for lights, supplies to build rack, supplies to hang lights
**Heating mat, optional
**Electric timer, optional
**Other electrical items (power strips, extension cords, cube taps, etc.),
    optional
**Oscillating fan, optional

AFTER MARCH
**Prep and Sowing
**Germination
    -Document germination times for future reference
    -70 – 80 degrees
**Growing on
    -Temperature – too warm results in leggy plants
    -Watering – don’t allow plants to dry out, bottom water
    -Light – 14-16 hours/day, no more than 3” away for young seedlings
    -Feeding – essential, especially if not transplanting
    -Thinning – cut with small scissors
    -Transplanting – do you have the space under the lights?
    -Fan – for stronger stems
**Hardening off
**Planting !!