It’s that time of year where you are looking at the calendar and counting back the from your “last frost” date to see which seeds you should be starting indoors vs sowing directly in the ground. Here at the Springer Gardens we are in full seed starting mode indoors. The Plant Hardiness Zone was updated in 2023 which now makes us here at the Garden a zone 8a. This means our Last Spring frost is estimated around April 8th and our first Fall Frost is around October 29th giving us a growing season of 203 days. With 42 days till last frost and 22 days till the First day of spring, I am spending my days (and nights) studying my seed packets to know when they end up in the trays and under the lights.

If you are tentative about starting seeds because you are used to buying your plants from your local nursery or garden center, I recommend giving it a go. Last year was the first year I ever started tomatoes from seed and it was a huge success and much cheaper than buying the plants. Yes it takes a bit more time patience a gentle care, but the end results are worth it. The argument I often hear about seed starting is buying and investing in the supplies like trays and soil. Most seed starting mix is fairly inexpensive or can be bought in bulk. As for trays, while I have several I have reused over the years, seeds like tomatoes and peppers, I start in red solo cups. You can buy these in bulk at your local dollar store and even buy the clear ones to create a green house effect. Seed starting doesn’t have to be expensive or overwhelming. It’s a fun process I feel that allows you to see the plant from it’s very beginning all the way to it’s point of producing fruit, vegetables and flowers.

Some of the seeds I have started this year I know will do well because I have started these seeds in the past with success. Plants like my tomatoes and peppers, sweet peas, Lupine, snapdragons and amaranth have all sprouted and some have even been potted up out of the seed trays. Some seeds, Lisianthus specifically haven’t germinated at all. So what does one do? I am at a point I think where I will empty the seed trays with the Lisianthus so that I have them for the Celosia and Zinnia I need to start but it’s frustrating when you have spent the money on seeds that aren’t germinating. I was very much looking forward to having them in the cut flower bouquets this year so it’s disappointing when plans have to be scratched.

What is a good plan B? Well I could look into purchasing plugs from someone who has figured out the secret to starting Lisianthus or I can think of something else to plant in that row I had planned. This opens up options for more Sunflowers or more Zinnias especially when succession planting. The blessings about gardening is learning your strengths and weaknesses. Having to start over or have a “plan B” or even a “plan C” is never a bad thing. In the end you will still be surrounded by beautiful flowers and fresh crops.

Wherever you are in your garden journey, I pray this year brings happiness and peacefulness and may God bless you this growing season.