spring seed starters

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pdx ladies garden club gathered last weekend to start seeds! jenna and rachel had already been over to urban farm on belmont to pick up non gmo tomato and basil seeds. but since lisa and i were interested in picking up tomato and herb starters, we all took a trip to the hawthorn fred meyer garden center to browse the selection of starters, pots and potting soil.

i came back with lemon thyme, sage, rosemary, lavender and lemon verbena and lisa picked up a tomato plant and some terracotta pots. we headed back to rachel's and the planting commenced on her back deck!

the girls used fiber egg cartons to start their seedlings, which is a great way to re-purpose! you can also use larger solo cups, or plastic dixi cups, and large seedling flats are also avail to purchase at most garden centers. the upside to starting your seeds in larger containers first, is that you can do two to three peppers or tomatoes at a time, then separate them out once they get large enough, which you will have to do anyway, and sooner, with a smaller/more shallow container like the egg carton.

either way is fine though, so long as you remember these tips:

•  slightly moisten the potting mix before planting your seedlings. just make sure it's not soaking wet.

• plant according to the directions on the seed packet. but in general, most require you only bore a small hole about 1/2 inch deep. the eraser end of a pencil works really well for this.

• gently cover the seed/hole with potting mix, but don't push/pat it down tight. you want to make sure that when you go to lightly water it the seed doesn't wash away, but you also don't want it so covered that it gets no sun.

• lightly water the seedlings with a watering can so that you aren't washing away the seeds. if you don't have a watering can, a small spray bottle will work just fine.

• cover the containers with a layer of plastic wrap, or a clear plastic bag, cut into sheets. this will help retain moisture so you don't have to water as frequently. just be sure not to close it tightly around the sides. draping it loosely on top is just fine!

• depending on what types of seeds you've planted, you should begin to see sprouting action in only a couple of weeks. i've come to find that peppers and tomatoes take longer than say, basil. but the great thing is, if you get a dud, you can always start over. seed packets are inexpensive enough that it won't be a huge cost burden if you do. and if you go in together with friends, you can share/swap seeds too!