Starting Seeds Indoors

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We have had record setting snowfall for the month of February. There seems to be no end to the drifting and blowing white stuff. Twelve inches again last night and white out conditions put us at a level 2 snow emergency this morning. Again. Schools all across the area are closed and the children love it.

My husband nudged me to look out the window. We couldn’t help smiling as we watched our 11-year-old neighbor bound down our snow covered hill turning somersaults and leaping up to dive into a huge snow drift. He is celebrating yet another snowcation day with abundant snow for sledding and fort building.

The rest of us are a little weary of winter. This is the image out my back door. Over three feet of snow is covering the outdoor furniture and outdoor containers that should have been moved into the garage months ago. The huge drifts encroaching on my doors and windows have left me a little claustrophobic and eager to hurry spring.

Bored? Try Starting Seeds

For my own sanity, I have turned my attention to seed starting. It’s a little early to put the seeds into soil, but it’s fun to start the process.

Many years ago I purchased a wire rack with five shelves from a large hardware chain. I also purchased four long shop lights and attached them with S hooks to the wire frame. Then I popped in grow lights instead of the usual florescent bulbs.

I use the top shelf for storage. The others are where I grow my seedlings on trays. The lights can be adjusted in height; I put them very close (about 3 inches away) when I first start and then move them further away when the plants begin to grow large.

I reuse the plastic trays, small containers with drainage holes, and clear plastic covers from year to year.

How To

1. Fill the containers with a seed starting mixture.

2. Sprinkle a few seeds on top according to the directions on the seed packet.

3. Add more soil to cover the seeds and water thoroughly.

4. Break popsicle sticks in half and mark each with the cultivar name, then place them in the corresponding container.

5. Place a plastic cover over all seed containers, which creates a terrarium effect and keeps the soil moist until the seeds sprout.

Tomato and pepper seeds should be started about six weeks before you set them out in the garden, which at this moment seems like an eternity away. But it’s not too early to order seeds and create your light system.

Happy snow day.

Meet Jennifer Bartley

Jennifer Bartley grew up on a ravine near an ancient Indian mound. She remembers spending glorious childhood days picking wildflowers and playing in an old,…

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