Starting Seedlings

Flowers were the main attraction in the garden year after year. This year called for an experiment: a vegetable garden. Basically, twenty packages of seeds were purchased and we'll see what grows. Next year I may get fancy & join a seed exchange- they are sprouting up all over the city.

This project is to get a head start on the growing season. It can be done indoors if you would like to start the seedlings in Winter. If you begin in Winter, be sure you have a sun-porch or area to store the containers; one that is exposed to sun & well-protected from the elements. Otherwise, early Spring works well & the containers may be left outside as long as the weather is not frigid.

Kids can help from start to finish, depending upon their skill-set and attention span. Including them in some aspect of the garden [choosing seed varieties, watering, planting, weeding]  will encourage interest and cultivate a sense of responsibility & accomplishment. Happy Earth Day!

Ingredients:
Plastic Containers: (any variety) carry-out, egg cartons, etc.
A Bag of Potting Mix, but any dirt will do
Packets of Seeds
A Thumbtack
H2O

Using the thumbtack, punch tiny holes into the bottom of containers to promote drainage. Fill empty containers with approximately two inches of soil. Place the seeds into soil, then throw half an inch of dirt over them; the looser the soil, the better. Sprinkle with water, cover with lid, set in sunny location outdoors. Label each type of seed so you know what you planted, & where.

Every few days, check moisture content & assess if additional water should be added. The soil should not be desert-dry or swamp-soaked, but somewhere in between, unless directions on the seed packets suggest otherwise. The plastic containers act as a mini-greenhouse, and condensation will collect in the seedlings environment, helping to retain water.

Fast-forward eight days [through the magic of photography] & now you can see some seedlings sprouting up. Each plant will vary slightly as to projected growth rate. The seeds pictured above are the Detroit Dark Red beets, but hopefully others will start peeking through any day. The outcome is uncertain. Hardcore garden crimes were committed: seeds were started that don't transplant well, seeds were sown early that didn't necessarily need to be. Impatience won this season.

The next step is to figure out the optimal location for each plant to thrive [citing soil conditions/sun exposure] & transplant. Have no fear- there's always Eastern Market if nothing grows. If it doesn't go well, I will be scouting for radishes instead of slinging butternut squash.