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Columbia, Mon. – It is difficult to think about gardening when the weather is cool.

“Now is the perfect time to start seeds of certain garden plants indoors so that they are ready for transplant in a warmer weather,” said David Trinkein, specialist at the University of Missouri Extension, David Trinkein in a press release.

If you put the vegetation period into vegetation, you will have flowers and produce in the past, said Trinkin.

Starting your own transplants is a good way to beat up new varieties that are not yet available in garden transactions, he said. Due to growth, the plants are the ideal size when it is time to bring them to the garden.

Most of the vegetables take six to eight weeks from the time when you drop the seed until it is ready to transplant to the garden. The exact time depends on species and growth conditions.

“There are references online or in book form that tell you how long it takes to create a transplantable plant of a certain way,” said Trinkle.

germination

The germ medium must be easy, well through and finely structured, said Trinkin. You can purchase prefabricated germ media or create your own with peat moss and vermiculite or perlite.

You can buy cell packages that have been specially developed for starting seeds, but empty egg boxes or similar containers also work well, he said.

The plant depth varies according to species. The rule of thumb is to cover the seeds about three to five times with their diameter, said Trinkin.

Every kind has specific requirements for germination. It is easy for some, for others it can be temperature. Most seed packages have germ requirements.

“In most seeds, germination occurs when three conditions are met: adequate moisture, reasonable temperature and oxygen,” said Trinkin.

An exact temperature control helps the immature plant from its seed.

“One way to control the temperature is to put electrical cables under the germination shells to keep the medium constant 78 degrees,” said Trinkle.

The germ time varies. For example, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower only take a few days for the seedlings to look through the medium. Something like a tomato could take 5-10 days. The germination time for flowering plants is sufficient depending on the type of 5 to 21 days, he said.

Growing seedlings

If seedlings can be treated, it is time to transfer them to a growing medium. Young plants need light, nutrients, correct temperature and moisture. One of the biggest problems with growing transplants indoors is the temperature.

“We have set our home thermostat for our comfort. Most plants prefer it much cooler at night, ”said Trinkle.

The ideal temperature for seedlings is 60 degrees at night and 75-80 degrees during the day, he said. Plants show spindle growth when it is too warm at night.

Sämlers need fertilizers in careful doses because young roots are tender. Trinkin recommends a fertilizer with half the strength for the first waterings.

“Applying a fertilizer solution in full strength on a young seedling would be like feeding steak and potatoes on a six -week -old baby. You don't do that, ”he said. “Sämmen have to be carefully maintained.”

Movable plants outdoors

If the time for the transplant approaches, make it demonstrated by a process called hardening, said Trinkin.

“About two weeks before the transplant, they expose plants to cooler temperatures and give them less water and fertilizer,” said Trinkin. “This will tighten this for the move to the garden.”