It is seed starting time! Seems like I just tucked the garden away for winter. Nevertheless, at least in my Zone 6 garden, this is the time to get a few specific things going. Namely, leeks, onions, and peppers. Later in the month, I’ll get the tomato and brussels sprouts going.
Before we can get the seeds into the dirt (or to be more specific, sterile seed starting mix), the containers need to be cleaned and sanitized. While it can be possible to skip this step and get good results, this is one of those “better safe than sorry” situations. Sanitizing the containers reduces the risk of exposing the seeds to fungal and other diseases. Seeds and seedlings can be very susceptible and it is best to get them off to as good a start as possible. I’ve skipped this step in the past and my seedlings sometimes suffered as a result. Believe me, it’s very disheartening to make the effort to grow plants from seed, tending them and thinking that we are doing something fun and wonderful, then see them die shortly after sprouting due to damping off or some other condition.
Along with using clean containers, there are several other measures to take when growing plants from seed, to get the best results. Take a look at this great resource from one of my favorite gardening experts, Joe Lamp’l.
Back to our containers, there are a number of methods that gardeners use to sanitize seed starting containers.
- Bleach: Scrub the containers with soapy water (water plus liquid dish detergent) to remove debris and leftover soil from the surfaces. Then soak the containers in a solution of 9 parts water and 1 part household bleach for 15 minutes. Following the soak, thoroughly rinse the containers in clean water. Allow them to dry completely.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Some gardeners prefer to use hydrogen peroxide for sanitizing their containers. I’ve never tried this, but there is a lot of information online that describes this method in detail. I’ve linked a great article that includes details on this and also on how hydrogen peroxide can be used for many purposes when it comes to gardening.
- Heat: Another method is to heat sterilize the containers, but only if they can safely be placed in a hot oven. Heat the oven to 170F-180F degrees and allow the containers to sit for a few minutes. This is not a particularly common method from what I have seen. I’m guessing that is simply because most containers that are used for seed starting are made of plastic.
Remember to always put safety first and wear appropriate protective gear, including gloves and safety goggles, when working with chemicals.
I use the bleach method for sanitizing my seed containers. It seems to be fairly simple and straightforward. I just make sure to protect my skin, eyes, and clothing while working with bleach. Since I do it in my kitchen sink and the bottom trays are too long to fit completely inside the sink basin, I have to soak one end then flip the tray around and soak the other end. Not a big deal. I guess maybe I could use the bathtub, but that seems like it would use a lot of water and bleach, filling to an appropriate level for soaking. Plus, there would be no other nearby basin to do the rinse, whereas our sink has that second basin. Hmm…#stickingwithwhatworks.
To make things as convenient as possible (aka to help me not procrastinate), I keep my seeds, containers, and other supplies tucked inside my little greenhouse. Everything is right where I need it. Once I get the seeds sown, I use the top tier or two for germination. Each shelf will hold two of the long trays. Extra supplies, including larger containers for transplanting, are stored on the bottom shelves of the greenhouse. It provides a nice, all in one, storage center. I have a relatively small garden and usually one or two of the greenhouse shelves is all I need at any one time. Once the seeds germinate, I move them to another location and reuse the shelves for the next round of seeds. Germination doesn’t take long with the amount of sunlight they get at this window. It heats the greenhouse up pretty well. Last year, I also began using a heating mat, which really sped up the process. I am thinking of adding some grow lights this year.
Are you starting any seeds right now?
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