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Until I figure out what information to put here, I will link to an ad-free plant care guide

Seedlings 101 (Hardiness Zone 5)


Types of Seeds

  • Open pollinated - flower fertilized by nature. Same plant next year
  • Heirloom - seed passed down the generations based on specific trait of plant. Always really robust and cool
  • F1 Hybrids - result of 2 plants w/ specific characteristics being deliberately crossed to produce a new third variety
  • Treated seeds - coated with chemical ,fungicide, or pesticide treated seeds. Identified by their label or colour of seeds, not organic.
Keep seeds away from moisture,etc. Germination is difficult for woody ornamental and native perennials. To alleviate, soak seeds and put in ziploc bag with paper towel for 1 week, then thaw for 6-12 hours. Soak right before planting Example plants: Nasturtiums, beets, parsley, bergamot, lupine, spinach, milkweed

Shade Tolerant Plants (4-6 hrs)

  • Beets
  • Cauliflower
  • Leek
  • Peas
  • Carrots
  • Bush Beans
  • Cabbage
  • Kale

    • Start from Seed:

    • Turnips
    • Beets
    • Radish, Carrots
    • Peas
    • Beans
    • Corn
    • Potato

    Start from Seedling (haha)

    • Tomatoes
    • Lettuce
    • Kale
    • Cabbage
    • Onions, leeks
    • Zucchini, okra
    • Melons
    • Squash
    • Bok choy

    Seedling Starting Equipment

    Potting Mix #1

    • 1 Coco Coir (⅓)
    • 1 Compost (⅓) (No chunks!)
    • 1 Vermiculite (⅓)

    Potting Mix #2

    • 7L Peat + ⅛ cup Lime → 4¾ cups perlite + ¾ cup fertilizer (bone&blood) → 2 ¼ L soil + 4 ¾ L compost
    • Containers
    • 72 or 128 cells with drainage holes and trays under cells
    • Lighting (Under grow lights like the Sunblaster light.)
    Set for 16-18hrs each day Keep 2-4 inches away from top leaf. Window sill is bad bc seedlings get leggy. You want unobstructed light. Fertilizer is a short term amendment but Your own compost is best. That said, you only need if plant is +4 weeks (idk what i meant by this so good luck). Fish fertilizer (Neptune Harvest) or promix fertilizer are good options if you want to use fertilizer.

    When to Sow Seeds?

    Hot Crops: 6-8 weeks before last frost.
    Cool Crops: 4-6 weeks. Seedlings should be in ground by ⅔ of their life cycle. Ex: Kale (65 days) is seedling for 42 days.

    Seed Density

    1 or 2 seeds per cell. If germination rate is less than 70% or seed packet is 2+ years old: 3-4 seeds. Resort to clumps for thyme, rosemary, basil, green onion, chives, and other frost-troubled herbs.

    Seedling Care

    Fruiting crops need fertilizer rich in Phosphorus (did you know the supply of P will be gone in like 30 years lol). Need strong roots and foliage to better photosynthesize -> Liquid absorbed better. Potting up -> Seedling from cell to bigger pot.

    Hardening Off

    • Introducing seedling to outdoors:
    • Put in area covered from wind and with shade
    • Do 1 week before you intend to plant
    • Perennial root systems should be protected in the winter, cover them with mulch to ensure warmth
    • Winter bad cus wind= soil erosion
    • Snow is an epic insulator
    • Above 25C for cool crops makes them not want to germinate

    Bonus info: If you are space limited on compost, consider WORMS Red wriggler worms in container