By the second week of April, budget gardeners start putting seeds in the ground for a budget garden.
Here in Western Washington, you can send some flower seeds into the ground for a summer of colorful blooms. However, planting seeds in soil is not a worry-free solution for gardening.
Here are some planting tips to save your seedlings from the pain of failed blooms.
Tip number 1: Prepare the soil before planting. This means loosening the top 6 inches of soil and adding organic matter if the soil is not loose. Rake the top half of the soil so that it is fine and soft and the hairs are visible.
Tip #2: Read the seed label. When told to cover seeds with only 1/8 inch of soil (planting too deep is a common mistake) or when told to thin or transplant seedlings to 18 inches apart, you need to follow the directions. (Yes, seedlings are difficult to remove, but seedlings that are too close to each other will fight).
Tip number 3: Protect young plants from shocks, snails, birds and bad weather. Floating row covers (trade name Reme Fabric) are a convenient way to keep animals away from tender plants.
Tip number 4: Keep the soil moist according to the instructions on the seed packet. Even in our usual cool spring weather, seedlings can dry out and should be gently hand-watered as part of your routine.
Tip number 5: Plant only seeds that grow easily for our climate. According to local gardening expert Ed Hume (over 90 years old and still gardening), the easiest seeds to plant are: godetia, nasturtium, alyssum, clarkeas, California poppies, cosmos, sunflowers and a mix of wildflowers.
Tip number 6: Easy-to-grow seeds have different needs. Some, like nasturtiums, grow well in soils that are low in nitrogen. Others need more productive space. Poppies like sandy soil and sunflowers need warm soil, so wait until mid-May to plant. This is another reminder of the most important tip: read and follow the instructions on the seed packet.
Marian Binetti holds a degree in horticulture from Washington State University and is the author of several books. Contact us at binettigarden.com.
