One of the absolute joys of the quiet down-time of winter is to pore over seed catalogues and dream and scheme about the season ahead. Here at the Sunny Point Café garden we start nearly all of our own vegetable and flower plants from seed.
A tiny packet of seeds is full of so much potential…it is truly magic. To make the magic happen requires a certain number of variables, but mostly utilizing common sense and some research can get you through and lead to successful seed starting.
Most seeds, such as tomatoes and basil, need warm soil temperatures in which to germinate well, so we start them under an indoor lighting system before transitioning them outside when temperatures rise. Other seeds, like peas and beets, can be direct sown in the garden in early spring.
Each plant has different needs, so just read the seed packet. (Or you can buy plant starts at the garden center, too.) It may seem a bit daunting, but remember that seeds are designed to survive and thrive and go it alone. In other words, seeds are pretty tough, we just help them along with some tender, loving care…
