FEBRUARY

“PLANNING FOR SPRING, STARTING WITH SEEDS”
— Presented by Senior Care and Activity Center

Looking forward to seeing Winter come to an end? With Spring just around the corner, it’s never too early to plan your garden, or just bring some “green” into your life. Get ready to loose the winter time blues. Some consumers at the Senior Care and Activities Center are going to do just that by participating in a wonderful Horticulture Program. For the consumers who choose to be part of this hands-on gardening program, “Starting with Seeds” is the first activity planned. It is a simple activity that anyone could enjoy and is a great way to nurture a plant from the very beginning.

Before you begin this activity read through all the steps to see where you may need help. Check the list of supplies to makes sure you have everything you need on hand. A shopping trip to your neighborhood garden center or florist may be the first step for preparing for this activity and certainly part of the fun. You can browse through the aisles and get some ideas. Try the local library for gardening books, or a trip to the bookstore might also be helpful.

Supplies:
Bucket or container (for mixing)
Seed-starting mix (soil)
Small clay or plastic pots
Large plastic tray
Saran Wrap
Seeds
Wooden or plastic sticks (for labels)
Water
Old newspaper
Measuring cup
Garden gloves

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Planning
It is always fun to do an activity from the very beginning and see such a beautiful end product like flowers or herbs you have grown yourself from a tiny seed! Think of plants, flowers, or herbs you might like to grow from seeds. On your shopping trip choose one or two kinds for this activity, along with any other supplies you may need to purchase.

Step 2: Materials
Take a look around the house for other materials that can easily be used for this project. A plastic household bucket can be used as a mini-greenhouse for your seeds. Plastic yogurt or pudding containers can be used to hold the soil if you don’t have small clay pots. Be creative and use recycled items! Just remember the containers must have small holes in the bottom for drainage.

Step 3: Procedure
Choose an area you are going to work in such as an outdoor table or even on the kitchen counter. Be sure to cover the area with old newspaper.

Pour the seed-starting mix into your bucket or pail. Start with small amounts of this soil and increase to fill the pots you are planning to use. Pour water into the mix 1/2 cup at a time, making sure the mixture is moist, but not wet. (If your mixture becomes muddy, just add more soil. You can’t make a mistake!) For this step you may want to wear garden gloves.

When you have enough moistened potting mix you are ready to add the mix into your pots. Line the pots/container on the newspaper so that the mix will not leak through the small holes in the bottom. Fill each pot almost to the top then gently tap the mix so it is firm.

Time to plant your seeds! Use your fingertip to make a small hole in the potting mix in each pot. Plant a seed in each hole then gently cover the seeds with more potting mix. Depending on the size of your pots, you may be able to plant more than one seed in each pot.

Once your seeds are planted place the pots in the plastic tray. Pour about one inch of water in the bottom of the tray. Also, moisten the potting mixture but be careful not to use too much water because you don’t want to drown the seeds. Mark plastic or wooden sticks with the names of the plants and the date you planted the seeds. Put these markers in your pots.

Cover the tray and the pots with plastic wrap securely and snuggly. If you are only using one pot you may even use a plastic freezer storage bag with its own seal and seal the pot right into the bag. The cover will keep the soil warm and moist and help the seeds grow quickly. There must always be water in the bottom tray for the seeds to germinate.

Most seeds do not require direct sunlight to germinate but they will do best in a well-lit area that is warm. They must remain moist in order to germinate so each time you pour water in the bottom of the tray, remember to reseal the plastic cover.

Check the pots daily to make sure that there is enough water and to see when the seeds have started to sprout! Uncover the pots when the seeds sprout. New seedlings need sunlight and water.

Move the seedlings to a windowsill or under a grow light so that you can watch them grow into sturdy plants for you to enjoy. You can keep the new plants for your own use or transplant them into decorative pots to share with friends.

This simple activity can be done again and again using the same basic materials. You can grow any type of plant this way to start an outdoor garden or a window kitchen garden. Once your plants have grown, you can give them as home-grown gifts in decorative containers. If they are herbs, you can dry them and use them in your food. The possibilities are endless!

Welcome Spring with your new plants.