Growing plants from seed is like cooking from scratch. You pick your ingredients and bring them together according to your own taste. I think it adds to the mystique, the wonder of it all, but also allows you to select and experiment with the many varieties available.
This year I’ll grow varieties developed in Holland, Germany, Taiwan, and Israel – as well as the USA. They range from hot peppers to super sweet melons, scallions to a triple-cross gourmet corn. I didn’t select them for their international flavor, but for the flavor they add to the palate.
Good germination and seedling growth starts with the right potting mix, temperature and light. With the early spring we’re experiencing this year I’ve moved all my starts into the cold frame I built a month ago.
While the early spring inspires confidence there’s still a 50% chance of a hard frost in our future. So in this article I’ll cover starting plants from seed, potting mixes, and protecting your seedlings in the garden.
Perforated black plastic covering field planted seed to encourage germination by retaining heat and moisture.
