Indoor Gardening Read Online Free Page A

have to be removed when the seedlings are tall enough to touch them, otherwise your plants will suffer.

T IMING
    As mentioned earlier, timing is very important when you plan to start your seeding indoors. Check the table below for a general idea:
    Type of plant, Month and Time of Indoor Growth
    Lisianthus, Mid-January, 16-17 weeks indoors
    Geraniums, wax begonias, pansies/violas, leeks, onions; Early February, 14-15 weeks indoors
    Browallia, clarkia*, dusty miller, impatiens, larkspur, stocks, torenia, fountain grass, lobelia, nemesia*, celery; Mid-February, 12-13 weeks indoors
    Ageratum, coleus, dahlia, gazania, heliotrope, lavatera*, petunias, rudbeckia (black-eyed susan), scabiosia, schizanthus, snapdragons, verbena, vinca/periwinkle, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, head lettuce; Early March, 10-11 weeks indoors
    Bells of ireland, candytuft, cleome, dianthus/pinks, hollyhock, marigold (african), melampodium, mimulus, nicotiana, nierembergia, ornamental pepper, annual phlox,  salpiglosis, scarlet sage/salvia, statice, strawflower, sweet alyssum, tithonia, trachymene, peppers, eggplant; Mid-March, 9 weeks indoors
    Amaranthus, aster, babys breath, bachelor buttons, balsam, calendula, celosia, cornflower, four o'clock, marigold (french and gem), morning glory, nasturtium, ornamental basil, ornamental kale, portulaca, strawflower,tomatoes; Early April, 5-6 weeks indoors
    Cosmos, sweet peas, thunbergia, zinnia; Mid-April, 3-4 weeks indoors
    * These plants are best to grown in biodegradable containers for they do not fare too well when transplanted.

T YPE OF S OIL
    In most cases the commercial mixes for seeding are the best to use. These usually contain no soil; they are a mix of vermiculite and peat and are sterile. These types of mixes are the best for your seedlings – especially if you are new to gardening. The advantage of this mix is that it is light, free from any type of disease or weeds and is just porous enough to ensure that your seeds germinate in optimum time.

    A mix of vermiculite and peat in a typical commercial soil mix available at every gardening store or online.
    Take the trays with the small seedling cells, fill them with this mix and pour water over them before you put in the seeds. After adding water the mix will shrink. Keep adding and mixing with water until the tray is full and the mix is comfortably moist.
    Read carefully the instructions on the seed package. It would be mentioned there how deep the seed should be planted for best results. If it is not mentioned, use the standard rule, i.e. plant the seed just deep enough that you could have three other seeds planted right on the top of it. Remember to mark each container with what type of plant it carries.
    Some seeds might need light to germinate. These seeds should be buried too deep in the mix. Rather you place them on the seeding mix and cover them with a light layer of vermiculite. This will allow light and ensure that the seed will grow well.
    When and if you are using old seeds, plant more than one in the container for all might not germinate and you do not want to lose time with dead seeds.

I DEAL P LANTING L OCATION
    Contrary to common belief, the window is actually NOT the best place to germinate your seeds. This because the window sill will have all the extremes – too much light, too much heat (during the day time), too much cold (during the night time), etc. For seeds to germinate well, they need warmth and moisture. Too cold or too hot will damage the seed and affect the germination rate.
    Even if every other aspect (such as heat and moisture) are controlled on the window sill, you will still risk growing bent plants for they tend to grow towards the light and you would not want that from your plants. Too much water will also damage your seeds; so, be careful with the watering aspect as well.
    Choose a place where temperature is consistent at about 60 degrees Fahrenheit and has no drafts, excessive heat or cold. Protect your seeding