HO-14
Starting Seeds Indoors
fey Michael N. Dana and Allen E. Boger, Horticulture Agent, Vanderburgh County
Growing annual flowers and vegetables from seeds started indoors can be rewarding. Vigorous plants started indoors and then transplanted will flower sooner and produce an earlier harvest than those started directly outdoors. Home gardeners can also grow cultivars which may not be available from local nurseries as transplants.
Selecting Seeds for Planting
Purity and trueness to type-Good seeds should y not contain seed of other crops or weeds and should be the correct cultivar. For best results, buy quality seed from a reliable dealer. In Indiana, vegetable seeds must meet minimum germination standards prescribed by law. If they fall below the legal minimum, the germination percentage must be shown on the package.
Packages and storage-Seeds sold in packages , should show the crop, cultivar, germination percentage, and chemical seed treatments, if any. Seeds should be kept dry and cool to insure good germination at planting. Laminated foil packets insure dry storage. Paper packets are best kept in tightly closed  cans or jars until seeds are planted.
Hybrid seeds-Many new vegetable and flower seeds are hybrids. Hybrid seed often costs more than seed of nonhybrid cultivars. However, hybrids usually have increased vigor, better uniformity, larger yields and sometimes specific disease resistance or other unique cultural characteristics. Each gardener must decide whether the added benefit justifies the added cost. It usually does.
Saving your own seed-Some experienced gardeners save their own seed. This practice requires that the gardener knows the proper techniques for selecting, producing, handling, and storing the seed. Seed from hybrid plants should never be kept. Likewise, it may be unwise to keep seed from plants that are easily cross-pollinated, such as sweet corn, squash, and pumpkins. Bean seed may carry viruses and other diseases from one season to the next.
Containers for Sowing Seeds
Containers for starting seeds should be clean and sturdy and should fit into the space available for growing plants in the home. Having the proper container helps get seedlings off to a good start and may save work in later stages of seed development.
Wood flats, fiber trays, plastic trays-Plants that are easy to transplant may be seeded directly in flats or trays for later transplanting into individual pots or wider spacing in flats. Starting seeds in such containers saves space as compared to seeding directly into individual pots. However, where time is more important than space, direct seeding in pots may be preferred.
Clay and plastic pots-Both types can be cleaned and reused and are excellent for growing transplants. Plants to be transplanted must be removed, and the soil ball must be carefully cut apart at planting time. Seeds may also be planted directly into the pots.
Peat pots-These popular pots are made from peat or paper waste fibers and may be purchased individually or in strips or blocks. They are porous and provide excellent drainage and air movement. The entire pot can be planted, so there is minimum root disturbance at planting time.
Compressed peat pellets-When dry, expandable peat pellets are about the size of a silver dollar, but somewhat thicker. When placed in water, they swell to form a cylindrical container filled with peat moss, ready for seeding or transplanting. They may be planted directly into the garden. Use the pellets in trays so that they are easily watered and held upright. Be sure they are placed so that the open side is up.
Plastic flats and packs-An increasing number of different types of plastic flats and packs are now being sold. In many types, you grow each plant in a cell and then merely “pop” it out at planting time. With care, these plastic flats and packs can be reused.