7 Things to Do Before Ordering Seeds This Year
Seed catalogs inspire us gardeners to plot the landscape of our dreams! Before you buy hundreds of seeds, some preemptive work now will help you avoid excess maintenance later in the process. Seasoned grower Jerad Bryant shares seven things you should do to prepare your garden for new seeds.
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With a ready seed starting setup, you won’t have to rush to prepare pots, soil, and lights once the seeds arrive in the mail. You’ll have everything you need to grow crunchy lettuce, rambling squash, and stout peppers. That way, you can start seeds, grow seedlings, and transplant them into the garden without interruptions.
Creating more garden space is another reason to start looking at the yard before ordering seeds. Maybe you’d like to convert some lawn into a new garden bed, or you’d like to set space aside for a sturdy, raised bed. Do some preemptive work to avoid having to set up beds, start seeds, and prepare the garden all at once.
We’ll start by taking stock of last year’s garden to see what performed well and what didn’t. Using the data we collect, we’ll set up your yard and indoor areas to work well for your needs. Grab a pen and paper, and get ready to plot out your future crops!
Consider Last Year
So, what did you grow last year, and what grew well? It’s a good idea to keep cultivating crops that perform well in your garden. Prolific producers like peppers, tomatoes, peas, and beans are winners in most North American gardens, as they excel in many climates.
You’ll also want to take stock of the crops that performed poorly. Maybe you have a short summer that prevents you from growing heat-loving plants with long seasons. Or perhaps, you grow food in a warm climate without significant chill periods, preventing you from cultivating cold-loving crops like apples, cherries, and cranberries.
Simply because a crop failed doesn’t mean it’s time to give it up. Consider trying tough-to-grow types like cabbage, corn, and tomatoes again this season if they didn’t meet your expectations last season. Find a new hybrid that might perform better, or adjust your growing setup so it’s better than last year’s.
Wash Containers
If you’ve gardened for a year or longer, chances are you have dozens of empty pots! These plastic, clay, and metal containers are reusable—they’re perfect for seed starting. Get them ready now, and you can use them quickly once your seeds arrive in the mail.
Before using them again, you’ll want to clean and sterilize the pots. This prevents diseases and pests from returning, giving your seedlings the best chances of surviving and thriving. I like to prepare a bucket with soapy water, that way I can dunk the pots and trays in it for easy cleaning.
Start by preparing a bucket with soapy water. Dish detergent works well, although you can use whichever soap you’d like. Rinse the containers clean, being sure to rub off all dirt and debris. Then, soak them in a solution of bleach water. Use one part bleach to nine parts water, and soak the vessels for 10 minutes before letting them dry.
Once dry, the clean and sterile pots are ready for soil and seeds. If you prefer not to use bleach, sterilize the washed pots with rubbing alcohol instead. Spray 70% rubbing or isopropyl alcohol so it covers each surface of the containers. Alternatively, you may rub each pot with a cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol.
Sterilize Tools
While cleaning your containers, it’s a good idea to clean and sterilize your tools! All of the cleaning materials you need will already be out and available. Tools like herbal snips, watering cans, and grow lights are indispensable for seed starting, and they all benefit from an annual deep cleaning.
Clean metal tools like pruners by spraying them with strong streams of water. Use a wire brush to remove sticky debris, then apply rubbing alcohol to remove sap from the blades and sterilize them. Let the snips or pruners dry, and coat them with a thin layer of lubricating oil to prevent rust.
You may clean and sterilize watering cans just as you did for old containers. Wash them, let them dry, then sterilize all surfaces.
Grow lights and heating mats are more difficult to clean than containers since they have wires and plugs. Make sure they’re unplugged, then clean them with a moist cloth. Disinfect the lights and mats with wipes or a cloth and disinfecting spray.
Fill in the Gaps
You’ll notice gaps in your supplies after taking stock of your seed starting setup. Maybe a grow light stopped working, or you gave away a bunch of plant pots last year and need more for this season. Gather your supplies now and you’ll be ready to sow seeds when they arrive.
Indoor seed starting requires more supplies, though it’s a reliable way to grow seedlings compared to outdoor sowing. You’ll need a bright windowsill or grow lights for sufficient lighting. You’ll also need a filtered water source, trays, and containers. Soil is essential; buy a potting mix for seedlings, or make your own with a soil recipe.
Humidity domes and heat mats aren’t essential for starting seeds, though they’re extremely beneficial because they boost germination rates. Crops like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplants require warm soil to germinate, and heat mats increase the temperature between 10-20°F hotter than the room.
Prepare the Site
Seedlings aren’t as tough as mature vegetables and fruits. They have thin stems, weak leaves, and small root systems. Grow them in a protected and well-set-up area, and they’ll mature successfully without serious diseases, pests, or problems.
Indoor seed starting requires the most materials up front, though it’s the most protective of any growing method. Greenhouse and outdoor sowing are easier, though the seedlings are subject to insects, fungi, and harsh weather. Furthermore, some species need to start in the ground, while others are easily transplantable.
Prepare your indoor setup by finding a site near a bright window or one with grow lights. Place trays underneath containers and fill the pots with soil. Ensure the site is far from hot or cold drafts to prevent temperature and humidity fluctuations. Do the same in the greenhouse, placing cool-loving plants near the doors and warm-loving ones in the center of the structure.
Outdoor sowing is a bit different! First, remove weeds and debris, then layer compost or leaf mold in a three-inch thick layer on top of the beds. Keep the beds moist until you’re ready to plant seeds; this helps beneficial soil microbes and creatures thrive under the soil surface.
Create New Garden Beds
While preparing outdoor sites, you may notice you need more garden beds! It is fun to convert lawn areas into ready-to-plant soil as temperatures warm in spring. You’ll create more space for growing food, and you can keep grass pathways in tact for lush walkways between the beds.
An easy way to start is by converting the edges of your lawn into in-ground beds. Remove a foot or two of grass in a line and place it upside down on the dirt. Cover the site with more compost or soil, then pick any weeds as they sprout. Plant seeds or potted plants directly into the beds, keeping them moist while they establish.
If you lack lawns or garden beds, consider adding raised beds and containers around your home! They’re easy to set up and incredibly portable. Place them under full sun or partial shade since most crops require direct sunlight to thrive.
Plan Your Garden
If you’re like me, you may want to buy seeds from every category of a catalog! The pretty pictures and tantalizing descriptions make me want to grow every new cultivar. This is not ideal though, as I do not live on a giant farm! I like to plot out the garden ahead of time; that way, I know exactly how many seeds I need to purchase.
You can do the same by trying Epic Gardening’s new garden planning app! This software allows you to put specific varieties on a map of your garden. It includes spacing guidelines and plug-ins for structures like raised beds, sheds, and fences. It also comes with a journal, allowing you to track your growing successes.
Before plotting the garden, you’ll need to know how big it is! Measure your space, then input the details in the app so they’re accurate. Once you know how much space remains, you can buy as many seeds as you want to fill your yard with flowering fruits, vegetables, and grains.
