Starting seeds indoors - questions????

I am attempting to start seeds indoors for this spring. My biggest question is when to start the seeds. If the germination is say, 7-21 days, when do I "plant the seed" so that they are ready to go in the ground after the chance of frost. I live in zone 6, so Mother's day is usually our guide-line here. I'm anxious to get started but I don't want to start too early. Please help?

Jen, It would depend on the plant and how long it'd take to grow an acceptable size to be transplanted safely. If plants are left too long before planting they never seem to grow well. For instance i plant tomato seeds earlier than i would cukes.
So what seeds are you planning to sow?
It is a lot of fun to grow your own plants from seed.

Here's a table that shows when to start some common flowers and vegs from seed relative to your last frost date:

http://www.savvygardener.com/Features/seed_starting_calendar.html

Thanks "cando1" ! I can't wait to get started. I planted some in packs outdoors last spring and it was a great feeling when they were big enough to transplant into the ground. Most of the seeds I bought to sow are annuals and most of my own seeds (from last summer's plants) are perennials. I also want to start some tomatoes. The other veggies I just plant seeds in the ground. If it all works out, I should be able to save alot of money too! Happy gardening and thanks again.

Thanks also to Rosemary in Canada! That site is awesome!!! Alot of the seeds I'm planting are on that list and I can compare the rest depending on the germination times. Thanks again and keep warm!!!

I purchased a book 3 years ago when I started planting from seeds and I live by it each year! It gives tips on special things you need to do to the seed before seeding, like nicking the seed, placing in fridge for a few days, soak in warm water, etc. The book is by Eileen Powell, The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing From Seed to Bloom. I bought it on Amazon.

You probably already know this too, but you need to know your last frost date for your region, then you will know when to start indoors, i.e., 6-8 weeks before last frost date.

To NDFarmgirl,

I'm a total seed beginner, but if I have to nick Heuchera seeds, I quit.

Debi

lol. Don't quit!
Sow 8 to 10 weeks before planting out, Sow on surface. Germinate: needs light, and 60º to 70º. germintation takes 10 to 60 days. Information from Eileen Powell's book which I also use as a reference.
Welcome to the world of seed starting, hope you get hooked. I love it!

Edit to say the above inctructions are for Heuchera seeds.

This message was edited Feb 8, 2009 12:24 PM

A good rule of thumb is to plant seeds 6-8 weeks before last frost date or whenever you intend to set plants in the ground (there are some exceptions) and some plants just don't like to be transplanted, i.e., sow those one directly into the garden.

The key to getting good transplants is to keep the plants from getting tall and spindly or leggy. This fact cannot be over emphasized.

Most people suggest having lights 2" above the seedlings, but with my old bulbs I had to keep the plants touching the bulbs. Also, on days of 60º or hotter the seedlings went outdoors.

Enclosed is a picture of a flat of tomatoes that were seeded 1/14/09.

Wow! Baby seedlings can be more demanding than a rug rat in diapers with diarrhea. Laughing....


Jerry

I am having a lot of fun with the seeds I have planted...have quickly learned, however, that my sense of self esteem will need to be bolstered by something else.

Can anyone tell me the best way to keep plants from seeds from growing too tall, spindly or leggy?
Is it better to use a grow light on your seeds ( and if so.. how many hours a day?) or natural sunlight.

One thing you can also look into is Wintersowing. There is a forum here devoted to just that subject. The seeds would come up when they are ready . . . couldn't hurt to look, at least - http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/coldsow/all/

Yacks, use lights, regular shop lights will do. keep the light about 1 inch above the tops of the plants, (some will grow right up to the light and touch it, just move the light higher). I have mine on a timer, 16 hours on, 8 hours off.

This message was edited Feb 12, 2009 8:04 PM

Can someone tell me why the lights s/b off for 8 hrs? I've never done this (been starting seeds for 3 years), but sounds like I should?

I don't know this for gospel but i've always thought that naturally plants outside get a dose of dark as well as light and have evolved to do better that way.
If your plants have done great without dark I probably would'nt change unless it'd be to save electricity.

Seeds need more light to get started, but it does vary with each plant. I have some rubeckia that has a recommendation of lights off 10:00 pm - 2:00 am - that's 16 hours of light. This is from a Harris Seeds growers package.

Last night I curled up with this spreadsheet (gives you warm fuzzies, eh?) and highlighted what I have. The folks in Propagation have compiled this wonderful resource: http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/943812/

The forums here are a great reference, but don't forget the articles. Here's a link to some excellent seed-starting information: http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/tagged.php?tag=Seed%20Starting

Don't forget to sterilize your seed-starting mix!