If you’re a warm weather fan, you’re probably counting down the days until the arrival of spring. However, even as conditions remain wet and dreary outside, the good news is that you can start taking the first steps for a bountiful spring harvest in your garden.
Vegetables and herbs including tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, basil, thyme, dill, parsley, chives, cilantro, oregano and more can be seeded six to 10 weeks before you plant them in your garden. To set the stage for successful seed germination, make sure you have seed trays or containers, a nutrient-rich seed-starting mix and labels. Read seed packets for specific instructions on planting at the correct depth and spacing. As a general rule, larger seeds should be planted deeper than smaller seeds. Finish all seeds with a dusting of soil overtop.
Once your seeds are settled in their trays, place them in a warm and well-lit area that receives adequate sunlight. You might consider placing heating mats underneath your seed trays to encourage faster sprouting. During this time, also keep an eye on the moisture level in the soil. Your seeds need an environment that is consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Using a mister will help control the amount of watering.
Before long, you’ll notice your plants are beginning to sprout. When this happens, keep them in a sunny windowsill or underneath a grow light. Once sprouted plants produce their first few sets of leaves, you can begin the “hardening off” process. This is achieved by placing plants outdoors in a protected area that receives several hours of direct sunlight each day. Most gardeners bring the plants back indoors at night. The hardening off timeline can be different, depending on the plant or variety, so consult your seed packets for specific guidelines.
Gardeners can use this same process for spring flowers, including popular varieties like cosmos, marigolds, zinnias, sunflowers and more. The biggest difference is that these should be seeded four to six weeks before you plant them in your garden.
Whether you are seeding vegetables, herbs, flowers – or a combination – the hardening off process should take place during the last week before you are ready to plant them in their permanent home in your garden.
In addition to a wide range of seed packets, Louisiana Nursery is stocked with compatible products to set you up for success. These include sterilized seed starter mixes, vermiculite, biodegradable peat-pots, plastic and biodegradable seed trays, plant labels and liquid fertilizers. Our staff is ready and able to help you choose everything you need to get your seeding started, whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice.
Growing your own herbs and vegetables is a rewarding way to ensure a fresh spring harvest and a steady supply of ingredients for your kitchen. Plus, flowers add beauty to your landscape, attract pollinators and bring a pop of color and scent to the environment. By starting the seeding process now, you can be sure that your plantings will be ready to go once the weather is right.
The Louisiana Nursery Garden Club is a great way to reward our customers for shopping with us. Plus, you’ll get access to our weekly newsletter full of pro tips and all our specials. Visit www.louisiananursery.com/garden-club to sign up today.