It's time to start planning a garden

Spring is here and summer is coming sooner than we think!  It’s time to start planning a flower garden. Why not grow your own flowers from seeds?  

1. Start with good seeds. The best place to get seeds is from your Grandma or someone you know. A lot of avis gardeners harvest seeds from old-fashioned, heirloom flowering plants every summer and are willing to share. Annuals such as Marigolds are some of the easiest to harvest.  If you can’t find someone who can share, there are several good seed catalogs online: http://www.thegardenglove.com/top-garden-seed-catalogs/ 
2. Seed starter trays. Purchase a couple of seed starter trays for a few dollars at your local garden center or make your own out of egg cartons or a clean container that’s two or three inches deep. Make sure to give it some drainage by punching a few holes in the bottom.
3. Start with good, clean dirt. Seed starter mix can be purchased at your local garden center.
4. Planting the seeds. Drop your seeds on top of the soil and cover, but check your seed package first. The rule of thumb is usually three times the size of the seed. However, some seeds, like Alyssum, should not be covered at all because they need more light. Loosely covering with plastic wrap will help keep your seeds warm and damp. Uncover when the sprouts start showing.
5. Water lightly. It’s best to mist your seedlings until they get established or place the tray in a little water.
6. Place in a sunny window. A kitchen garden window is perfect for starting seedlings, but if you don’t have one, place your seedlings in front of any window that’s sunny and away from drafts. If your plants start to lean toward the light, they are not getting enough sun.
7. Move your new plants outdoors slowly. When your plants are ready to move outside you should give them a little bit of the outdoors every day. Maybe move them to a porch the first day or two. Then give your new plants a few hours outside every day for about a week so they get used to it. Your new flowers should then be ready to plant.

Are you planting vegetables, flowers or both this season?

Info gathered from Coldwell Banker Burnet Blueprint Blog