BDN interviews Garland about starting seeds indoors
The Bangor Daily News interviewed Kate Garland, a horticultural professional with University of Maine Cooperative Extension, for an article about starting seeds indoors in the winter. Starting seeds indoors can protect seedlings from adverse weather conditions, animals and pests, and give gardeners a head start, the article states. “The tissue is a little bit tougher and more developed if plants are grown inside,” Garland said. “You have a little bit more control of the situation. Outdoors is kind of like the Wild West.” Hardier plants like beets, carrots, corn, okra, parsnips and potatoes are better started outdoors. But Garland said onions, leeks, shallots, parsley and spinach are best off if started indoors now. “The seedlings that you would transplant out could tolerate some light frost. You can easily protect them with row cover early on [in the season],” Garland said. Other plants that fare better when started indoors include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, eggplant, cauliflower, peppers, Swiss chard, celery, pumpkins, tender herbs and annual flowers, according to the BDN. While seed packets sometimes carry information about when to start, Garland said some do not and gardeners can check the seed catalog or contact their local Cooperative Extension to ensure they know when to plant. Garland recommended a sheet-style tray as opposed to a plug tray, which can make watering more challenging. And while peat moss and potting mixes made with it are great choices for seedlings, concerns about sustainable harvesting of peat moss recently have led to alternatives. “There are lots of different options for compost-based mixes. You want a mix that’s fairly fine in texture. There are recipes out there that folks could [use to] build their own, or you can get a mix from a local garden center,” said Garland, who also advised supplementing natural window light with a grow light to shine on plants for 12–14 hours per day, and watering seedlings properly. “I try to recommend folks to check on a daily basis whether seedlings need water. Err on the side of caution. If you are ever in doubt, don’t water,” she said.