| Greenhouse Advice |
| Joe Lamp'l shares valuable hands-on advice for greenhouse gardeners |
From "Fresh from the Garden"
episode DFFG-304 |
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Joe's advice begins with propagating, or reproducing, plants from seeds, then gives tips for using containers to start the tender seeds. Next he explains how to transplant them safely when the time is right. He offers suggestions on soil preparation and demonstrates how to start a new plant from a tiny cutting off an existing plant.
- Propagating (figure A) is a great way to use a greenhouse. It keeps the tender seeds in one convenient location while they get started and allows valuable garden-bed space to be used for larger plants that need the room.
- Containers for seed plantings must allow drainage. Plastic trays or flats work well because they're inexpensive and easy to obtain. Many also have built-in divider rows (figure B) to help keep seed types separated. For other types of containers, dividers can be made from wood, cardboard, Plexiglas, even old Venetian mini-blinds.
- Peat pots work with plants that won't transplant well, such as dill (figure C). The entire pot gets planted and breaks down on its own, supplying nutrients as it decomposes.
Hard-coated seeds such as moonflower need a little help to get started. Scarifying, or cutting or nicking the tip of the seed (figure D), gives the seed's energy a place to disperse and start germination. Soak the seeds in water to soften the hull, then use a fingernail file, a pocketknife or even a piece of sandpaper to carefully break though the seed's outer layer (figure E).
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