Gear up for seedlings

I'm headed out the door to buy some seeds and start them indoors at home and at school. 

This week in school, I had my students help me plant the bulbs that my dad gave me.  There were all flowers.  The students were very eager, dedicated and interested in helping me. Therefore,  I have decided to bring some of the seeds for our garden to school and teach a little bit about gardening during homeroom. 

I looked at the map of the garden from last year and I have thought about the many projects to do this year. Some of the projects include: 1) Start new beds. 2) Plant more flowers throughout the garden. 3) Try new varieties of veggies. Among other ones.  

Also, I picked up a book titled "Week by week, Vegetable Gardener's Handbook" by Ron Kujawski and Jennifer Kujawski. It has been very helpful in organizing the steps for gardening in the spring, summer and fall. The interesting thing is that it would work for most Northern zones in the U.S since it is based on the last day of frost in the spring and the first day of frost in the fall. 

When talking to farmers in the past, they have all agreed that the safest date for planting outside is Memorial Day Weekend. So, this weekend is the 10th week before Memorial Day.  Therefore, I will start the following seeds:

1. Onions and Leeks 

2. Cabbage

3. Broccoli 

4. Kale

5. Cauliflower

6. Celeriac 

7. Some herbs 

Note: I did not grow any plants of the Brassica family last year besides kale, because I didn't know the condition of the soil in our garden.  However, the kale did so well, that I cannot wait to try the rest of the family. 

I have started seeds in the past in grid trays, recycled cardboard containers or small pots.  I haven't had any problem with diseases in my seedlings.  I have covered the containers after seeding them and only placing them by a sunny window when the seeds have germinated. I watered them as needed. Be careful not to over-water your seedlings. 

This year, I will use vermiculite and mix it with compost. Vermiculite is a natural mineral that helps with aeration and drainage in the soil and holds water better and releases it when needed.