This whole process begins by planning out your planting area.?? I recommend doing your planting in a garage or outside if possible.?? This keeps the mess at a minimum. Next you will need containers or flats.?? Plastic flats can be found at plant nurseries, home improvement center and horticulture supply companies or you can save those flats that come with flowers in the spring and summer.
Another type of container that is easy to use and you do not have to store from one year to the next is cardboard egg cartons.?? These work wonderfully and if the lid is solid it can be planted too.?? Nothing is better then double planting from the same carton.
The next item you will need is some type of label and pen.?? Labels can be the plastic tags one finds in their flowers.?? These are easily ordered from seed catalogues or horticulture supply companies.?? Another choice is just a plain old craft stick but regardless of which you choose, it is very important to label your seed containers as one plants.
The last thing you will need is soil.?? This general term called “soil” has a very loose definition.?? It is better to refer to this substance as seed-planting medium.?? This medium can be just pasteurized soil or a combination of ingredients, such as perlite, vermiculite, compost and peat moss.?? One can make their own seed-planting medium by combining 1/3 compost, 1/3 peat moss and 1/3 perlite.?? Do not be tempted to use garden soil in this recipe.?? Garden soil contains weed seeds, roots, and insects.?? All these natural substances can cause problems in a seed-planting medium.
When making your seed-planting medium make sure to place it in a resealable container that either has a snap on lid or zips tightly closed.?? This is an important key because an open container is an invitation to weed seeds, insects, and plant diseases.??
After your soil is made and you are ready to plant, make sure that the soil is warm.?? One does not need to bring it inside if the ingredients are fresh from the store.?? If the ingredients have been sitting in the garden shed for a while though, you will need to bring them inside.?? Warm soil will prevent the seeds from going into shock and improve germination rate.
Three out of every four container plants are bought from a garden centre. You can wander look at the perennials, trees and shrubs, knowing that at almost any time of the year you can pick up a container-grown specimen and plant it in your own garden. Selecting a plant is easy but getting it home may be difficult – never bend or twist the stems to get it into the car. Also remember that a plant can get roasted in the boot or wind burnt if left next to an open window in a moving car. There are several rules to follow in order to ensure trouble-free shopping. Try to goat the start of the planting season before shortages occur, and try to go midweek to avoid the weekend crowds.
Don’t buy on impulse unless you really know your plants – it is much better to take a list and buy the best specimens that you can find. Oldham Gardeners, Oldham Gardeners
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