Plan carefully when starting seeds
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Soon, many gardeners will consider starting vegetables for transplants. Experts agree that the ideal vegetable transplants should be stocky, have good color, are disease-free and at the proper stage of development for best growth when set in the garden.
Ideally, the best place to grow vegetable plants is in a greenhouse equipped with automatic controls for heating and ventilating. It is possible, though more difficult, to grow vegetable transplants indoors if you do not have a greenhouse. The best place to grow vegetable transplants indoors, if you are depending on sunshine as the only source of light, would be in a large window facing south or southwest. This should be in a room where it is possible to have the night temperature no higher than 60 degrees F. High night temperatures will result in tall, soft and spindly plants. Length of lighting each day should be controlled manually or by using a time clock. Usually, 12 to 16 hours of light each day is sufficient for growing plants.
Many kinds of vegetables can be satisfactorily transplanted. Usually these are classified as being either warm season or cool season vegetables, depending on tolerance to cold weather. For satisfactory results with cucumbers or squash, which are warm season vegetables, plant the seed in containers that will be set in the garden without disturbing the plant’s root system. Other warm-season vegetables such as peppers, eggplant and tomatoes may be transplanted bare-root. However, it is also best if these are grown in a type of container that will allow transplanting with the root ball essentially intact. Cool season vegetables include cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, lettuce and onion. These may be transplanted in containers or bare-root.
Many containers are available to choose from. Compressed peat pellets, peat pots, plastic pots and fiber blocks are some of the types used for growing single plants. Multi-plant containers include various size cell packs and open containers of various sizes in which more than one plant can be grown. As a general rule, allow 6 to 9 square inches per plant for most vegetable transplants.
Remove plants from plastic pots or trays before putting them in the garden. If the plant has very extensive root development, with almost a solid mass of roots, you should slightly break the root ball apart, or make several shallow cuts with a knife along the edge of the root ball. This will stimulate new root development into the soil after the plants are set. Regardless of the container used, it is important that it drain excess water freely. Waterlogged vegetable plants will not grow properly.
Growing medium has some basic requirements: have good water drainage; have adequate water holding capacity; be free of harmful substances such as herbicide residue; be free of weed seeds, insects and diseases. For the average home gardener wishing to start vegetable plants, the best growing medium is one of the soilless mixes. Media for seed germination should be somewhat fine-textured, drain well and be free of weed seeds and diseases.
Before purchasing seed, determine the best varieties for the area, as well as the quantity you need. Usually, the small packet size will provide ample seed for home gardening needs. Most vegetable seed will germinate properly if planted a quarter inch deep, provided proper temperature and moisture levels are maintained.
Before planting seed, water the medium thoroughly and allow it to drain overnight. Check the medium daily after planting and water lightly if it appears to e drying out. Take care to avoid overwatering, since seeds germinate poorly or not at all in waterlogged media.
