The days are now getting longer and this is the first slight hint of spring in the air. We now have about an hour more daylight than we did on December 22, the shortest day of the year.
It’s the time of year gardeners get anxious and sometimes tend to jump the gun a little. Unless you have the proper conditions and equipment there is little benefit in starting seeds this early, in particular tomato, cucumber and peppers. These need long days with warm conditions which can only be had at this time of year using artificial light sources and night time heating otherwise you end up with long spindly weak plants which are not suitable for transplanting into the garden when the time comes.
Several years ago, I compiled a handout for home gardeners to use as a guide for propagating plants for the garden. I referred to my mother’s records she kept for many years in our greenhouse operation. It was important to get it right when it came to putting plants on the bench for sale; too early and the plants would be overgrown and stressed out by the time the customers wanted them and if too late well you guessed it we just missed the boat.
So basically, my chart followed my mom’s rationale looking at the date the plants were needed and going back in time from there. For instance, if tomato plants are needed on the May 24 weekend we sow the seeds six weeks earlier about April 1. My chart includes the number of days and the night temperatures necessary for the seeds to germinate (five days) and the number of weeks from sowing to transplanting into pots (three weeks). Of course, this all depends again on what conditions and equipment you have at your disposal.
Using bottom heat in the germination chamber could cut at least a day of that portion and if well-lit growing conditions are available you can start earlier so the transplants will be larger when frost-free days arrive. So, this is only a guide to help avoid the unpleasant feeling of having plants in the home which desperately need to be in the garden when the conditions outside are still too cool. This applies to peppers and eggplant as well however for cooler crops such as cabbage and cauliflower the start date can be earlier and the temperature much lower. As well these crops can be placed out in a cold frame as early as late February to grow on with cool temperatures until it is time to plant out.
Transplanting into the garden for these can be earlier than for tomatoes etc. because they don’t mind the cool soil temperatures. I get asked every spring, often from the same people, when is the safe time to plant tomatoes out and I often quote an old client friend of mine, Ruth Rushton. She told me her dad suggested we wait until the soil feels comfortable to the “bare bottom.” This may be OK for some adventurous and outgoing people to use however a more modest way is to wait until there is no sign of snow on the northern face of the mountains to the south of us.
Another reminder there are still a few seats left on the bus to join me and my buddy Ken Salvail on our annual trip to the Northwest Flower and Garden Show on Feb. 23 to 26. To get in on this fabulous trip to North America’s second largest flower and garden show call Sun Fun Tours (250) 763-6133.
Listen to Don Burnett and Ken Salvail Saturday morning from 8 to 10 am on AM 1150 now in its 34th year.
