Even though the cold weather doesn’t make it feel like spring, the calender says it is. Time to start thinking about planting, growing, weeding, mulching, fertilizing, watering and all the other fun chores your typical green-thumbed person loves to do.
Members of the Oxford Garden Club gathered Monday at the township-village complex for their first monthly meeting, the main topic of which was propagating plants by growing seeds indoors.
Club President Pat Wilson, of Dryden Township, lectured the group about the money-saving, challenging and rewarding world of indoor germination (growing plants from seeds to those unfamiliar with the lingo).
She recommended starting the germination process ‘eight weeks before the last frost date,? unless a particular plant takes longer to grow.
The seed-starting trays used for the germination should be sterilized in advance, Wilson said. She recommended soaking them in a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water for 10 minutes.
Wilson said she plants her seeds in a seed-starting medium, a special type of soil packed with nutrients.
The seeds should be ‘scattered? in the tray, misted with water, covered with the medium and labeled using markers such as popsicle sticks or plastic knives, she said.
For beginners, Wilson recommended using an Accelerated Propagation System (APS), a complete kit which helps seeds grow faster by providing an ideal environment with steady moisture for optimum growth. ‘They are excellent,? she said.
To achieve germination, a temperature of 65-70 degrees Fahrenheit and at least 12 hours per day of light (either natural sunlight or artificial ‘Grow Lights? or both can be used) was recommended by Wilson.
Don’t get the seeds too wet or too warm, she warned.
‘Don’t over-water them,? Wilson said. ‘Always have good air circulation around the plants.?
Wilson warned the group not to fertilize until the seedlings gets their ‘true leaves,? which is the second set of two leaves a seedling grows after the first set, called cotyledons.
Once a seedling has its ‘true leaves? it’s ready for transplant, she said.
However, it’s very important not to just take the plant from house and immediately put it in the ground.
The seedling must first undergo a ‘hardening off,? a gradual process which involves putting it outside in a sheltered place ? not in the hot sun or wind ? then beginning to leave it out for longer periods of time and gradually moving it into the sun.
The idea behind the ‘hardening off? is to slowly acclimate the seedling to the harsher conditions of the great outdoors or ‘get it ready for Mother Nature? as Wilson put it.
When using an APS, Wilson recommended putting the seedlings in bigger pots (two inches wider) consisting of professional transplant mix (another special soil full of nutrients, similar to a seed-starting medium, only heavier) before transplanting them into the ground.
Although this extra step is not necessary, Wilson said it makes the plants ‘much, much sturdier? and ‘stronger.? It helps them ‘really take off? as far as growth and is especially good for tomato plants, Wilson noted.
As for where to get seeds and how to store them, Wilson said gardeners can save money by collecting sees off their own plants and storing them in mason jars in a ‘dry, cool place.?
Never store them in places of extreme heat or cold because it will ‘ruin? the germination of the seeds.
Wilson recommended a wide variety of both annuals and perennials, which can be started from seeds (see shaded box).
Those interested in learning more about the Oxford Garden Club are invited to attend the group’s main fund-raiser of the year on Monday, May 10 beginning at 11 a.m.
Wilson said verything from homegrown plants and flowers to homemade crafts and baked goods will be auctioned off at 1851 Chieftan Circle in Oxford Township, the home of garden club member Milly Kulenkampff.
‘Make it. Bake it. Grow it. Sew it? is the theme of the fund-raiser, Wilson said.
Money raised by the club is donated to local entities such as Crossroads for Youth, Seven Ponds Nature Center and the Oxford Public Library.
For more information about the Oxford Garden Club or any of its upcoming events call Pat Wilson at (810) 796-2142.