Seed Starting
If you missed our Seed Starting Seminar, here are some helpful tips and tricks from Hutch.
Starting your garden from seed is an effective way to grow higher-quality seedlings, which are more cost-effective than buying young plants that produce less. Starting from seed gives you the advantage of selecting exactly what you want to plant in your garden, allowing you to be more selective. If you have small, weak plants, don't hesitate to remove them early before they become a problem.
Ready, Set, Grow: The Essential Tools You Need to Get Started!
Choosing the right soil is important because it provides the necessary nutrients, structure, and drainage for healthy seedling growth. Quality soil supports root development, retains moisture, and allows proper airflow to the roots. Using the right soil mix ensures that seeds have the best chance of germinating and thriving into strong plants. Caras recommends Black Gold because it’s a nutrient-rich mix that improves structure, moisture retention, and drainage. Its organic content ensures plants have the necessary nutrients for optimal development.
Hutch recommends using a large tray to catch excess soil, so you can fill your tray cups to the top without any mess. Next, take a single tray cup filled with soil and create a small indent about a quarter-inch deep. Use your hands or a seed dropper to plant the seeds. Be mindful of the types of seeds in your mix, you want an equal amount of each. For example, use one specialty seed and a pinch of the others. Place them on the surface, but don’t push them down; the water will bury them for you. Too much pressure will prevent the seeds from opening properly. For larger seeds like tomatoes, peppers, and watermelon, Hutch recommends planting just one seed per container to avoid wasting seeds and ensure a better germination-to-survival ratio. Planting two tomato seeds in one container, for example, means you'll need to thin one out, ultimately wasting one of the seeds.
In Montana, creating an optimal environment for seedlings can be challenging, but it's essential for their success. Seeds need warmth, moisture, and light, typically between 65-75°F, with consistent moisture, though the soil should never be soggy. A humid environment can help prevent the soil from drying out, and using a humidity dome can maintain this. Once your seeds begin to sprout, they require plenty of light to avoid becoming leggy and weak. Caras offers a new dome lid made of strong plastic that holds light bars while maintaining the optimal height of 12 inches. If lights are placed too far down, it can cause your plants to curl. Please note: if a plant is becoming too laggy, turn off the light and let the plant continue to grow using a heat mat to produce roots.
Your seeds' best friend is a heating mat. It provides consistent warmth that speeds up germination and creates the ideal temperature range, especially in cooler climates, promoting healthy root development and stronger seedlings.
Thinning for Stronger, Healthier Plants: Crucial for Seedling Success!
Thinning the smaller leaves helps your plants grow wider and stronger. Additionally, removing the first flower, or "mother flower," is key because it can absorb most of the plant's nutrients, leading to just one large fruit instead of encouraging balanced growth and multiple harvests.
In seed starting, thinning is essential to give the strongest seedlings enough space, light, and nutrients to thrive. By removing weaker or overcrowded seedlings, you prevent competition and promote healthier, more robust plants.
