Dreams of Spring

It's February. We're dreaming of the thaw, when we can get to our gardens, whether they're plots in the back yard where fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs will flourish, or containers on the patio.

Depending on the area you live, some have already started early dreams by nourishing seedlings in a sunny window spot. If you live in an area where the snow or frost linger, you have time to prepare. Check the directions on your seed packet to find the best time to start indoor seedlings in your climate zone. A good rule of thumb is to start the seedlings 6 weeks before the stated outdoor planting time.

Don't worry about a late spring snowstorm or freeze. If the garden isn't ready for transplants, just transfer the seedlings to a larger pot and rework the soil when Mother Nature cooperates.

If you are reusing containers, or have found container treasures at your local thrift store, start by disinfecting the containers. You don't want to take a chance of lingering disease or parasites from last season attacking your new plantings.

Regular potting is usually too heavy for indoor seedlings. Instead, use a mixture of a soilless peat moss, vermiculite and perlite. This will allow water and oxygen to flow through, and make it easier for the tiny roots to push through.

The planting directions should be found on the back of the seed package. Plant each variety accordingly. Label the plants and retain the package as different plants have different needs. Many seedling look the same when they first sprout, and it's easy to forget which is which.

Cover the container with plastic, poking small holes for ventilation. Be careful when watering, you don't want to disturb the soil and wash the seed away. Some people find success by using a turkey baster to water new seedlings.

Before they sprout, your seedlings don't need sunshine. Keep them in a place where the temperature is between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18 - 24 degrees Celsius). Once the shoots pop up, take off the plastic and move them to a bright light.

When the second set of leaves appear, move to individual pots. Plant in a potting mix with compost. Move the out of the direct sunlight for a couple of days to avoid more stress.

About a week before it's time to transplant the seedlings to the garden, get them ready for the move by a process called hardening off. Stop adding fertilizer, and don't water as often (but, make sure they don't completely dry out). Let them get accustomed to the conditions of the garden by moving them outside, to dappled shade, for a few hours each day.

There are not many things as satisfying as transplanting your tender seedlings into the warm earth of your garden, with dreams of the coming bounty.