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January 2020
Issue 143
Hello Great Gardeners,

It is time to start thinking about seeds. If this year is anything like last year, seeds may be hard to come by in the future. Right now, we have a great selection in stock so stop on out and take a look.
As always, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions, hit reply. I would love to hear from you. Have a great-gardening day.

Sincerely,
Holly
Indoor Sowing Guide
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Growing Seeds
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1) DON'T START TOO EARLY
Start most warm weather veggie seeds 6-8 weeks before the last frost date (May 15th). Cool-season veggies can be started indoors 4-8 weeks before April transplanting. Check the seed packet to determine your indoor sowing date.

2) GROW IN A GOOD SEED STARTING MIX ONLY
We recommend the Espoma Organic Seed Starting Mix. Use hot water to moisten the mix in the bag, and then fill your sterilized or new flats or pots with this moistened mix.

3) PLANT THE SEEDS SHALLOWLY
Scatter seeds evenly over the surface or in rows. Some seeds need to be lightly covered with the mix to germinate, and others do not. Check on the package to see if your seeds have any special requirements when you sow them. Label each kind to keep track of what you have sown.

4) SEEDS GERMINATE BEST IN WARM AND HUMID ENVIRONMENT
Loosely cover your containers with a clear plastic wrap to hold moisture until the seeds sprout. Our humidity domes work great to maintain the proper conditions. A heat mat placed under the plants will keep the plants at the ideal temperature of 70-75 degrees F. Use fluorescent light for around 14-16 hours a day for the fastest growth. Keep the seedlings only a few inches below the lights, so they don't "stretch" and get "leggy." Plants stretch because they do not have enough light to stay compact.

5) WATER FROM THE BOTTOM

Watering from the top of the container can splash seeds out, have them float away, or even push them down into the soil too far that they won't sprout. Place pots in a larger pan of shallow water for a short time, so the water soaks up from the bottom. Once done watering, then remove the container from the water. Do not let sit in water all the time, or seeds will rot.

6) THIN THE SEEDLINGS OR TRANSPLANT THEM TO LARGER CONTAINERS
For seedlings already in pots: As the seedlings develop their first set of true leaves, begin thinning out the smaller plants, keeping the largest, healthiest seedlings. Do so by pinching off the stems at soil level, so you don't disturb the plants you keep.
For seedlings in flats: Carefully dig up the little seedlings and put them in larger pots (Peat pots are ideal for this). Use the same moist seeding mix to fill the pots as you used in the seed flat.

7) FEED AND HARDEN OFF PLANTS
Feed plants if they become pale. This will keep the plants dark green and healthy. As the seedlings grow and the temperatures rise, the plants need to be acclimated to outdoor temperatures as it gets closer to the frost-free date. Place the plants outside in a semi-shady, protected spot during warm days (60's and above) and bring them back in during the cooler evenings. After a week or two of acclimation and after the frost-free date (for warm weather veggies), the plants will be ready to transplant.
 
Useful Seed Growing Videos
* Please Note: I found the information in these videos informative. We do carry a selection of seed starting items, but they are not the exact brands that they are talking about in the videos.
True Leaves Meaning

When a seed first emerges from the soil, or potting mixture, it has a set of two leaves called cotyledons. The cotyledons are actually a part of the seed, and act as a food source for the sprouting seedling. At this time the seedling does not conduct photosynthesis. It gets all its food and nutrition from the cotyledons.
As the seedling becomes stronger and healthier, it will begin to form two more leaves that look very different from the cotyledons. The true leaves will look more like what the plant’s leaves look like when mature. Once the true leaves are present, the plant is now actively photosynthesizing. Eventually the cotyledons will wither and fall off as the true leaves take over the job of feeding the plant.
Gardening Terms
Germinate: The moment when a seed begins to grow.

Sow: plant (seed) by scattering it on top of or in the soil.

Thinning: To remove some of the plants that are growing too close together so only one plant is left to grow.
Days To Emerge: refers to the approximate number of days from sowing a seed until the seedlings emerges from the ground.

Seed Spacing: Use this spacing when sowing seed to avoid crowding and seed waste.

Maturity: An estimate of when your vegetable or fruit will be ready for harvest.

Seed Depth: Sow seed at this depth for both inside and outside sowings to get the best germination.
Boston Ferns
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Boston Fern Hanging Baskets

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