March: Planting from Seed

Planting from seed can really blow your mind. Look at a tiny seed in the palm of your hand. The huge amount of information that makes up a seed’s DNA is the amazing  equivalent of a star-smattered, night sky with the brain-aching, concept of billions of galaxies. How does a shiny, black seed turn into a green-skinned, sugary fruit called watermelon and define our summers forever? Who would expect a plump, little seed to blossom into the main attraction in the fairy tale, Jack and the Beanstalk?

Whether you are an adult or a young one who witnesses a bean seed sprout for the first time, it is an incredible process to watch. How does a little dried speck or kernel, cradled in soil, send forth a sprout? Seemingly, against all odds, individual seeds will evolve into unique plant life-forms that end up on your dinner plate, in flower vases or mature into spectacular, orange-fleshed, jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. 
The act of planting seeds is simple. While the front image on a seed packet will tempt, the back of the package educates with growing times, fruit maturity and valuable planting tips. If you would like to start your seeds indoors, begin with a sterile and lightweight, soil-less mix such as organic ‘Black Gold’ Seedling Mix. Choose a shallow container to plant seeds into and keep the soil evenly moist—not wet— for best germination. The ‘Jiffy Greenhouse’ is easy to use with small planting cells and a clear, plastic top. Once seedlings are up and growing, gently, transplant each healthy seedling into 4-inch plastic or peat pots and place them on a tray. Fill pots to 1-inch below the rim with a nutritious, organic potting soil to encourage a large root system. When the days turn warm, acclimate your plants to the outdoors by placing them in a protected area on a porch or a safe spot for a few hours each day. Bring them in at night. This process is called “hardening off.” The young plants need to adapt to the variable, spring sun, wind and weather. When the soil is warm enough, (middle to end of May in our area) dig plants into a prepared garden bed. Water, watch and weed.
Whenever you plant a few seeds, you’ll step into a new world where life is never boring!

This spring, be sure to plant old favorites from seed as well as some new and unusual ones. The seed packets below are from Renee’s Garden or Botanical Interest and are available in our stores.

Classic Greens
Italian Heirloom Kale (Lacinato Kale): Kale is super-charged with Vitamin C. The thick and crinkly, blue-green leaves taste good in Caesar salad, soups, pesto and sauteed in garlic. Kale tastes best in cooler seasons so sow in early spring and in late summer.

Blue Lake Heirloom Pole Beans (organic): Plant these seeds directly in the ground once night temps stay above 55 degrees—not too early. They need to be staked or trellised at planting time. The more you pick, the more beans you’ll get to enjoy. Steam them and add a bit of butter to bring out the taste of summer.

Heirloom Watermelon ‘Moon & Stars’ (organic): Kids will love the idea of growing their own watermelons! Make this sweet one a family tradition. The yellow moons and tiny stars on its dark-green skin make it a unique fruit in the garden. TIP: Amend soil with aged compost and put down black plastic over the soil to keep the heat in areas where summers are short and cool.
 
Tempting Colors
Columbine McKana Giants Heirloom (Aquilegea hybrida): Very large (3-inch),  graceful flowers appear in shades of rose, orange, yellow and white. Perfect for rock gardens and wildflower areas in shade or sun. Deer resistant! Attracts hummingbirds and sphinx moths. Can be started indoors or outside.

Pumpkin Jarrahdale Heirloom: This Australian heirloom can be carved or baked. Its skin is a bluish grey with deep ribs. The 6-12 pound fruit has orange flesh that is nutty, sweet and not stringy. Pretty cool.

Gourd Hard-Shelled “Birdhouse” Heirloom (Lagenaria siceraria): You can even make a birdhouse out of this one! However, you’ll need lots of growing space for these 15’ to 35’ vines that grow on the ground or up stable trellises. Sow seeds indoors or outdoors.

Grass ‘Bunny Tail’ (Lagurus ovatus): Although this grass is an annual, you will get to enjoy its dried texture in the winter garden. The ‘bunny tails’ form an upright bouquet of soft, fluffy flower heads in the summer. It thrives in full sun or light shade and is drought tolerant. Start seeds inside or outside.