16125 22 Mile Rd,
Macomb MI 48044 13790 W. Highland Rd, Hartland MI
48353
When is the right time to start seeds indoors?
Michigan sunshine is generally not very strong in January and February, and supplemental light may be needed for plants grown on windowsills.
Most seed packets have on them the time it takes from planting seed to bloom. Some ask you to plant the seeds a certain number of days before your last average frost.
Deneweth’s considers the last weekend of May the safe date for planting annuals outdoors.
If the seed packet says start 6 weeks before your last frost, you’ll probably want to start seeds around the end of March. You don’t have to be exact but you wouldn’t want to start those seeds in February. Getting a slightly late start usually works better than starting too early.
In April start; tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, alyssum, cosmos, zinnias, calendula, cleome, sunflowers, head lettuce, basil, cilantro, ornamental kale and cabbages. Pot up canna and dahlia bulbs for a head start. In April peas and leaf lettuce can be planted directly in the garden.
Most of the really quick crops like radishes and leaf lettuce should be planted right in the ground where they are to grow. (You could start them in a cool sunny room for consuming right from the container.)
Vine crops like squash and cucumbers should be very small when transplanted into the garden to avoid transplant shock.
In May start; morning glories and moon flower vines, hyacinth bean, nasturtiums, cucumbers, squash, melons, beans and corn (for those who like transplants instead of direct seeding in the garden). By early May most areas can plant radish, beets, carrots potatoes and set onions directly in the garden. In late May - early June plant sweet and pop corn, beans, squash, melons, cucumbers, sunflowers directly in the garden.
Here are the basics of what you'll need to get your garden seeds started:
- Containers - Either purchased pots or flats or containers you've saved, like egg cartons and yogurt cups. Used pots should be cleaned and disinfected by soaking in 1 part bleach to 10 parts water.
- Potting Mix - Seeds do best in a soil less mix where there are fewer inherent problems than with garden soil. We recommend Bacto Plant Professional Potting Mix.
- Seeds - Your choice
- Labels/markers - Trust me, you won't remember what's what
- Plastic Bags or Covers - These will trap warmth and humidity where the seeds need it
- Water
Start Planting: Once you have your containers prepared, you can begin planting the seeds.
- Make sure you read the seed package for special instructions. Some seeds may require a period of pre-chilling or soaking.
- Small seeds can be sprinkled on top of the potting mix. Larger seeds can be counted out and planted individually.
- Use at least 3 seeds per container, since not all seeds will germinate and not all that do germinate will survive. You can thin extras later.
By the time the temperature warms outside, you should have stocky, healthy young plants. Before moving them out into the garden, take a week or two to gradually introduce them to their new growing conditions. This is called hardening off. It gives the plants a chance to acclimate to sunlight, drying winds and climate changes.
- Move the plants to a shady spot for increasing amounts of time, several days in a row.
- Bring them in or cover them if the temperature looks like it will dip.
- Gradually increase the amount of time they spend outside and the amount of sunlight they receive until you see that they are growing strong and appear ready to go out on their own.
- Water your seedlings well before and after transplanting and try not to transplant during the hottest, sunniest part of the day.
Resources: http://www.examiner.com/gardening-in-detroit/when-to-start-seeds-indoors-michigan
http://gardening.about.com/od/gardenprimer/ss/SeedStarting.htm
