I thought it would be fun to share my seed starting operation with you. Nothing fancy – I have used this system for 25 years and have grown thousands of seedlings of my unusual treasures that we then pot up at the nursery (and of course a few for my own garden!)
1) Organizing the seeds – a simple plastic box, with cards separating each growing week. I note 8 weeks and 6 weeks from the last frost date (May 30) so that I can then place seeds in the proper sowing week. I also set aside seeds to be sown in late July for fall crops. Early weeks are for lettuces, kales, perennials – all the cool season crops. As we get closer to week 22 (the magic frost free date) I add warm season crops – tomatoes, marigolds, ornamental vines, etc.
2) The seeds get started on my light bench: 3 rows of fluorescent light bulbs on adjustable chains that I can raise as the seedlings get taller. My bench is 5 feet away from our wood stove, so things sprout quickly! Since I am growing hundreds of seedlings, I use plug trays to get them started in, to pack as many seedlings as I can into a small space.
3) Once the seedlings have sprouted their first full leaves they are moved to our small home greenhouse to finish growing on till they are ready to be transplanted at the nursery. I use a weak solution of Jacks’s all purpose fertilizer weekly once the second set of leaves have emerged.
I still get a thrill out of seeing the seedlings emerge – a sure sign Spring is not far behind!
If you’ve had trouble starting seeds at home, ask us!
Or let us be your provider of young flower & vegetable plants. We don’t mind a lil dirt.
Lettuce & other veggie plants are growing at Soares & will be ready soon!
These are Austrian heirloom Flashy Trout Back.
Organize your seeds to be sown.
Planting too early is a common error.
Good light is essential.
Plant lights can substitute for a greenhouse.
Spring garden arrangements by Carol
Celebrating Our 25th Anniversary
Reg’s mom, Vern, helped out at the nursery in its early years. She was known to crow often, “Reggie, everyone that comes in your nursery is smiling!” hence our saying “Making Gardeners Smile Since 1996”.
In honor of the nursery’s silver 25th anniversary we have created a special Tshirt with benefits.
WITH A SOARES ANNIVERSARY T-SHIRT YOU EARN A 25% DISCOUNT ON THE 25th OF EACH MONTH IN 2021 ON SELECTED ITEMS
Example: On March 25th there is a 25% discount on Coast of Maine bagged composts for Soares anniversary T shirt wearers only.
We feel it’s an important time to “feed your soil” – enrich it simply by topdressing with compost. Specials planned will be timely.
Purchase a Soares anniversary T shirt anytime.
Think of it as a fabric “discount card”.
On the 25th of each month you earn a 25% discount off the item(s) for that month while wearing or carrying in that giant handbag the T shirt,
The monthly special discount is exclusive for anniversary T-shirt wearers.
Learn the monthly special in our e-newsletter or just pop in on the 25th with your T shirt and take advantage of the special.
It’s fine to purchase the T-shirt on the day of the discount.
