So you bought some seeds, now what?

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Written By Steel Magnolias

Program notes from February 2025 meeting: Presentation by Master Gardener Brian Purvis

View presentation in Google Docs: Brian Purvis 2/11/25 presentation notes - Google Docs

Ready, Garden, Grow: Ready Garden Grow Book - Google Docs

“Damping Off” more information: Damping-Off | Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic

1.   Part 1, the main thing

2.  check materials on hand

a.  soil or soilless mix

  1. fertilizer

  2. tray

  3. heating pad

  4. fan

  5. seeds

  6. water bottle

  7. toothpick/tweezers

  8. labels

  9. thermometer

  10. clean everything. 10% bleach or 70% rubbing alcohol

  1. soak peat pellets

  1. overnight

  2. sterilize old ones

  1. plant seeds

  1. read packet for depth and other details, experience, online…

  2. why cover and for how long?

  3. Heating pad or indoors (>65°F (18°C), <80°F (27°C))

  4. Cookie sheet

                                                i.      Heat distribution

                                             ii.      Plastic trays are flimsy

  1. Protected location

  2. Labels that hang on when the tray is dumped out and don’t fade in the sunlight

  1. Soil Temperature, not Air temp

  1. Last year soil temperatures, 5yr avg

  1. The “terrible TOO’s”  

     (the hard part, keeping them alive)

  1. Too wet, damping off, bottom water, fungicide?

  2. Too still (air)

  3. Too hot

  4. Too cold

  5. Too much light (acclimate to full sun)

  6. Too little light (leggy, acclimate to full sun)

  7. Too clumsy

  8. Too much fertilizer

  1. Check often, take evasive maneuvers

  2. Watch for roots coming out

  1. Time to pot up

  2. pellet mesh

  1. .Q&A

  2. Part 2, other stuff

  1. Cold stratify

                                                i.      Japanese maple

                                             ii.      Plastic baggie

                                           iii.      In pots

  1. Scarification, file, sandpaper 

                                                i.      Gingko

  1. Cuttings

                                                i.      Figs

                                             ii.      Clear Plastic garbage bag makes a good tent

References:

 

All-purpose:

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs

https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Home-Vegetable-Gardening.pdf?fwd=no

 

soil Temperature

https://www.areamulchandsoils.com/home_vegetable_gardening.htm

https://yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu/how-to/how-successfully-start-seed-indoors

https://sacmg.ucanr.edu/files/164220.pdf

https://www.aces.edu/blog/topics/lawn-garden/soil-temperature-conditions-for-vegetable-seed-germination/

https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/soil-compost/soil-temperature-conditions-vegetable-seed-germination

https://www.greencastonline.com/tools/soil-temperature

 

NPK

https://www.ncagr.gov/note-6-commercial-vegetable-crops/download?attachment?attachment

 

interesting but keep in mind, they are trying to sell you something:

https://miraclegro.com/en-us/show-all-articles/Npk-the-golden-ratio-of-plants.html?srsltid=AfmBOoorIL4IsNOT4XFLxHNQ3m5A4JA0jPR2-CLbwkmjxRlSNn0yLC5c

https://www.ncagr.gov/note-6-commercial-vegetable-crops/download?attachment?attachment

 

damping off

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/damping-off-in-flower-and-vegetable-seedlings

https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/damping/

 

specific seeds

https://onrockgarden.com/index.php/germination-guide/germination-guide

How much fertilizer do you put in the water?

perhaps aim for 40#/acre N? but what does that mean for a seedling plug or seedling in a cup?

use Miracle grow for indoor plants as an example

has NPK of 8*(3-1-2)=24-8-16 (golden ratio)

Most Frequently Requested: 

NCSU Lawn & Garden: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu 

Plant Clinic: https://pdic.ces.ncsu.edu 

EMG Handbook: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook Gardening Publications: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/publications/ 

Problem Solving: 

Soil Testing: https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/agronomic-services/soil-testing/homeowners 

Diagnostic Tables: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/appendix-c diagnostic-tables 

Weed Identification: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/weed-identification-photos 

Weed Control: https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Residential-Weed-Mgmt Carlson-Rev.-2017.pdf 

Lawns: 

Carolina Lawns: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/carolina-lawns 

Organic Lawn Care: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/organic-lawn-care-a-guide-to-organic-lawn maintenance-and-pest-management 

Lawn Treatment: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/caring-for-your-lawn-and-the-environment Turffiles: https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/ 

Landscaping: 

Plant Toolbox: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu 

Native Plants: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/landscaping-for-wildlife-with-native-plants Drought Tolerant Plants: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/plants-that-tolerate-drought/ 

Backyards For Birds: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/managing-backyards-and-other-urban-habitats for-birds

Pests: 

Fire Ants: https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Fire-Ants-adapted-4.pdf?fwd=no 

Moles & Voles: https://johnston.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Moles-and-Voles article.pdf?fwd=no 

Problems in Fruits & Vegetables: https://hgic.clemson.edu/category/problems+fruits-vegetables/ Reducing Deer Damage: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Ns58dnlu4UjuTB8_- s7wbsAj58uEgWLC/view?usp=share_link 

Vegetable Gardening: 

Wake Planting Calendar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tXuCLdkB0Wj_960zfoayBfoPoXZZweFg/view Organic Gardening: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/extension-gardener-handbook/17-organic-gardening Ready Garden Grow: https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Ready-Garden-Grow-Book.pdf Beginner’s Guide: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/home-vegetable-gardening-a-quick-reference-guide 

Fruits, Nuts, Berries and Other Edibles: 

Container Edibles: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-create-a-container-garden-for-edibles-in-the north-carolina-piedmont 

Orchards: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/north-carolina-production-guide-for-smaller-orchard-plantings Grapes & Berries: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/grapes-and-berries-for-the-garden Pecans: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/growing-pecans-in-north-carolina 

Pollinators: 

Butterflies: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/butterflies-in-your-backyard 

Planting for Pollinators: https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms pollinatorgarden/ 

Bees of North Carolina: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/the-bees-of-north-carolina-identification-guide Bats: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/bats 

Pruning, Composting & Soil Management: 

Pruning Specific Plants: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/how-to-prune-specific-plants 

Backyard Composting: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/backyard-composting-of-yard-garden-and-food discards 

Worms Recycle: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/worms-can-recycle-your-garbageSoil Management & Testing: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/a-gardeners-guide-to-soil-testing

Sustainability & Risks 

1st/Last Frost: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/average-first-and-last-frost-dates/ Managing frost: https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/weather-2/managing-frost-in-the-garden/ Herbicides Carry Over: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/herbicide-carryover 

Minimize Contaminants: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/minimizing-risks-of-soil-contaminants-in urban-gardens 

Landscaping 

Shade Plants: https://go.ncsu.edu/shade-gardening 

Evergreen Screening: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/mixed-screens/ 

Rain Gardens: https://forsyth.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/RGmanual2015.pdf?fwd=no Xeriscape Southeast: https://clemson.app.box.com/s/3kcethpmze7rq0km15gz3e68dfgp374a Camellias: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/camellia/ 

Roses: https://web.extension.illinois.edu/roses/ 

Bulbs: https://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B918 

Mulches: http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/mulches-for-the-landscape 

Trees and Pruning 

Tree Guide: https://www.ncufc.org/uploads/TreeOwner_proof_final.pdf 

Drought Tolerant Trees: https://www.ncufc.org/uploads/DroughtTolerantTrees.pdf How to Prune: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/general-pruning-techniques 

Pruning Tools: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tools-to-make-the-cut 

Edible Gardening 

Planting Calendar: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual vegetables-fruits-and-herbs 

Edible Flowers: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/choosing-and-using-edible-flowers-ag-790 Pollinator Management: https://ipm.ces.ncsu.edu/ipm-honey-bees/ 

Pollinator Tip Sheet: https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Pollinator-tipsheet_8- 2016-2.ashx

Lawns 

Lawn Reduction: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Lawn Reduction_web.ashx?la=en&hash=FAC102D0BDBBC0CCD97ECE01BB9A8E2F91E7C150 

Improving Lawn Care: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/improving-lawn-care-and-gardening Zoysia Calendar: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/zoysiagrass-lawn-maintenance-calendar Fescue Calendar: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/tall-fescue-lawn-maintenance-calendar 

Pests 

Bites and Stings: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/catalog/series/233/ 

Snakes: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/snakes 

Fire Ants: https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/red-imported-fire-ant-in-north-carolina 

Moles and Voles: https://wake.ces.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Moles-and-Voles-Wake Co-2017.pdf?fwd=no 

Birds 

Bluebird Tips: http://www.ncbluebird.com/pdf/BluebirdTips.pdf 

Bird Friendly Habitat: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Bird Friendly_web.ashx?la=en&hash=41F81AD453D20EF8476A420F9A99C76B27DDEC41 

Bird Feeders: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/Documents/PDFs/Garden-for 

Wildlife/Birdfeeders_tipsheet_2017.ashx?la=en&hash=EE474C7B537ED823B684E6D91EE8C3F46C8988BF 

Nesting Boxes: https://www.nwf.org/-/media/PDFs/Garden-for-Wildlife/Gardening-Tips/Nesting Boxes_web.ashx?la=en&hash=C947BEA44F94B6C1D0FC0D15F2DFF8DC3CBB40

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