Dr. Grow: Starting with seeds: Planting can be a great project to get children interested in gardening

I am always looking for things to do with my granddaughter, Kelsi. We seem to have more fun together when we are doing a hands-on activity. Because of the bad weather we have had recently it has been difficult to do some of the more traditional things, such as taking a walk, going to the park, or playing in the sandbox. Therefore I have decided to start garden seeds indoors with her.

With this activity she can get a little dirty, learn what seeds are, learn how to plant them, fertilize them, and water them. Over the next few weeks she can watch them grow and see how her efforts have paid off. In turn I can get a jump on my garden, get rid of a little cabin fever and enjoy my granddaughter.

Starting seeds indoors is easy if you keep a few things in mind. First purchase good seed from your local garden center. They should have 2001 seed on hand at this time. While at the garden center purchase a seed starting soil mix. Be sure it consists of fine particles of vermiculite, perlite and peat moss.

The particle size of the starting mix is extremely important. For seed to germinate, it must absorb water. The water comes from root substrate, or in our case, the seed starting mixture. If you plant a very small seed in a starting mix with large particles, the entire surface of the seed may not be touching starting mix. In fact, most of the seed surface could be surrounded by air. Then the seed will not absorb water properly and may not germinate properly.

You will need containers to place your soil in. If you are going to start several seeds, buy 1020 trays (10 inches by 20 inches). When I start seeds in my house, I buy trays without drainage holes so that no water gets on the floor.

Inside of these trays place 806 dividers. You will now have room for 48 plants. If you are going to start just a few seeds, then use small plastic or clay pots, not more than 2 or 3 inches in diameter.

Next fill these containers with slightly moistened seed starting mix. Wetting the seed starting mix will reduce dust problems and will allow the soil to pack into the container better. Fill the containers to within a quarter-inch of the top.

Now place one or two seeds into each container. If the seeds are large, then push them into the starter mix just so the top of the seed is visible. If the seeds are small then place them on top of starter mix. After planting, sprinkle a very fine layer of seed starting mix over the top of each container. You want to make sure that all of the seed is covered with starter mix.

You must now water the seeds and the starter mix. Water gently so that the seed is not buried into the starter mix or so that the seed is not moved from the location at which you planted it. Water thoroughly so that water reaches all of the soil throughout the container. Next pour off any excess water. You do not want your seeds to be swimming.

In order to reduce seed movement when watering, you may want to place a paper towel over the surface of the 1020 tray. Water will move through the towel while reducing seed and soil movement.

I like to place a transparent cover over my 1020 trays. A dome is made to cover each tray. By placing a dome over each tray the soil stays moist. No moisture is lost from evaporation, and the relative humidity above the soil mix remains at 100 percent.

It is extremely important to keep the soil around your newly planted seed moist so that germination can take place properly. If the soil is allowed to dry out the new seed that has just started to germinate can die.

Next place your seeded containers in a warm place in your home very near a window where a lot of light comes into the house. Occasionally check to see if the soil in the tray is still moist.

You may see germination starting with 5 or more days. Some seeds take as long as three weeks for germination to occur, so be patient.

After germination has occurred, then apply a high phosphorous low nitrogen fertilizer to your seedlings. Remove the dome and allow the soil to dry slightly. It is critical that you water lightly while the new seedlings are maturing, but do not overwater. Keep the soil on the dry side. Now wait until it is warm enough outside to transplant your new seedlings.

Even though the project with your favorite child does not take a lot of time, you both will have the fun of checking on the progress of your new plants for the next few weeks. It can be quite a topic of conversation around the dinner table.