starting seed

It may be a little early, but I figure it doesn't hurt to have some lettuce going; I can always put it under the cold frame until the ground thaws. So yesterday I started lettuce seed and a few other things in trays. Recently someone asked me how I start seed, and I shared my methods. They had their first success growing some herb from seed! and so pleased, I thought I'd just share it here. I pretty much just use what I have around the house, nothing fancy. Someday I'd like to have grow lights and warming pads and all that, but for now this works fine.

Here's what I do. To get started, you need (not all pictured):

seeds
newspaper
potting soil or seed starter mix
shallow trays of any kind
broken pieces of an old clay pot, or of tile
large bowl or small bucket
piece of dowel, stick, or just your finger
old spoon or just use your hands
spray bottle
plastic wrap
rubber bands
masking tape or labels
a pen

First, lay newspaper down so you don't get dirt on the kitchen table. Decide which trays you will use for what seeds. I use recycled plastic food trays, anything the right size. Make sure your trays are clean- I always clean them with a mild bleach solution, and rinse with water then wipe dry.

Line the trays with broken pottery shards or busted-up old tiles (if your trays are the kind that had strawberries in them and have holes in the bottom, you can skip this)

Mix the soil in your bowl or bucket. If using plain potting soil, I mix in lots of perlite. This isn't the best option, but I've done it for many years. Just make sure it's not the potting soil with plant food added in, that will be too rich. This year for the first time I'm using an actual seed-starter mix, which needs water added in first.

Then put about an inch or two of soil in each tray and pat it down smooth.

Now add your seeds. For large seeds, poke a hole (with old chopsticks, a pencil, your finger, whatever) and drop it in, then cover with soil. Medium seeds, I place on the soil where I want them, then push into the soil a little bit, and pat some soil over them.

Very tiny seeds just place on the soil and then sprinkle a thin layer of soil over them.

Water with your spritz bottle. Unless the seeds are large, if you pour water with a watering can, it can wash them around.

Label your trays so you know what's what.

Cover each tray with plastic wrap and seal around edges with a rubber band. If your plastic container has a lid, just close it.

Put in a warm place. I always stick mine on top of the fridge. Check on them every day to make sure they're not drying out. If there's not water drops condensing inside the plastic, I always spray a little more in there. Once the seeds start growing, take the plastic off and move the tray to a sunny spot. This can be a very sunny window or under a lamp. I don't have a good window so I put mine under desk lamps around the house until they can go outside in the cold frame. Sun outside is the very best thing.

That's it!

Today I started Simpson Lettuce, Romaine Lettuce, Little Cesar Lettuce, Cilantro and Broccoli. I wasn't planning on doing the cilantro yet but was surprised when I opened my broccoli packet and there were only three seeds left. So I filled the rest of the tray with cilantro. It grows in cool weather, too.

Next I'll do peas...