Q: I’ve noticed that the price of vegetable plants has gone up a lot within the last couple of years. How hard is it to start plants from seed?
Growing plants from seed can save you a lot of money, but you’ll have to invest some time and money. The good news is that the initial investment will pay off over quite a few years if you purchase quality materials.
First, decide where you want to set up your seed-starting space. We have a heavy-duty wire shelf with casters from our local warehouse store. It’s quite large, but we start a lot of plants every year. You may only need a small shelf. Grow lights that can be height-adjustable are another essential item. Most summer vegetables should be started in late winter when daylight is in short supply. Keeping a full-spectrum light source close to the emerging seeds ensures that they grow quickly enough to plant outside shortly after your last frost date. As the seedlings grow, you’ll want to move the light so they have room and don’t get burned by the light.
Seed cells and trays can be purchased at most garden centers, but most are very low quality and will only last for a single season. We’ve found high-quality cells and trays at our local hydroponics store. The heavier trays won’t buckle or crack when picked up, and are surprisingly less expensive than the crummy ones.
Most seeds need at least some heat to germinate. Heat mats, especially designed for seed starting, are very useful, but they will dry the seed-starting media out quickly. We’ve also discovered that the heat mats tend to have hot spots, meaning that some seeds were getting too hot while others were not getting enough heat. Placing the seed tray on a heavy-duty baking sheet, then setting it on the heat mat, allows for a more even heat distribution and better germination.
I recommend using special seed-starting mix rather than standard potting soil. The seed starting mix contains peat or coir to hold moisture and allow for drainage. It also contains no fertilizers, since the added nutrients can encourage fungal growth and damping off. Once the seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, dilute fertilizer can be used when watering.
Before planting outdoors, the seedlings should be gradually acclimated to full sunlight. Start by placing the tray in an outside sheltered spot and move it into the sun a few hours at a time.
Los Angeles County
mglosangeleshelpline@ucdavis.edu; 626-586-1988; celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/
Orange County
ucceocmghotline@ucanr.edu; mgorange.ucanr.edu/
Riverside County
anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu; 951-955-0170; ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/
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