Starting Plants From Seeds

We recommend that many of the seeds listed be started indoors. This allows the seeds to germinate in the best possible conditions and gives you a head start on the growing season. Start them in a sterile soil mix, such as one made up of peat moss and perlite. Avoid mixes containing chemical fertilizers and large chunks of bark. As a rule, plant the seeds at a depth of no more than twice their diameter. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. Most seeds will germinate at average temperatures (roughly 60-75 °F) in 7-14 days.

Some seeds must go through a moist-chilling period before germination occurs. Instructions for this are included in their packets.

Some plants do not transplant well and their seeds are best sown directly where they are to grow. We have also made these recommendations on their seed packets.

It’s important to sow the seeds at the proper time. Find out from our catalog, or seed packet, if they are tender, half-hardy, or hardy. Tender plants can be set outdoors only after the last average frost date for your area, half-hardy plants two weeks before this date, and hardy plants about 6-8 weeks. Allow about 6 weeks from the time you sow the seeds indoors until the date that you want to set the plants out in the garden. All plants raised indoors, whether tender or hardy, must be hardened-off in a coldframe or on a protected porch for about 10 days before planting.