Page 30 - Organic Gardening 3 Part Series

Prepare markers for each of the plants you are planning to cultivate. Moisten the

growing medium with warm water before filling the pots or cells. Plant 2 to 4
seeds in the center and cover lightly with soil if your plant needs light for
germination if it doesn't then add 1/8 to 1/4 inch of potting medium. Mist the
area lightly with water. Don't waterlog them or your seeds will rot!

Let There Be Light

Most seeds germinate at temperatures between 75 and 90 F, so you should keep
your flats in a warm place. Once your seeds have germinated, they will need
between 10 and 16 hours of sunlight, per day. You can keep them in a sunny

room or window, or use artificial lights.

Thinning the Herd

The first leaves that you'll see are actually the plant's food-storage organs and
they'll quickly drop off. The leaves which follow are the true leaves and when you
see those, it means that your seedlings need special attention.

You only want one healthy specimen in each pot, so clip the others away at soil
level with sharp scissors. If you've sown them into a flat and they're crowded

together, you'll need to move them to their own containers. Fill pots with potting
medium and scoop one or more seedlings from the flat using a teaspoon,
separating their root systems gently.

Poke a hole in the potting soil and transfer the seeding and firm the soil around it.
Water lightly and place posts away from direct sun or wind for at least a day.

Are They Tough Enough?

Allowing your plants to adjust
slowly to extreme wind
temperature and light will allow
them to "harden up" and survive

outdoors. Start withholding
fertilizer and water less