Seed Starting Product Spotlight

It’s cold outside now but won’t be for long! Now is the time to start your seeds. Check in with the 2013 Farmer’s Almanac planting schedule for the best results. We have flats, domes, inserts, lights, organic soil and plenty of know how for experts and beginners. Everything to start seeds is here, including these products we’ll shine a spotlight on…

Neptune’s Seaweed – an organic, kelp-based product that works great as a seed soak or as a minor fertilizer for tiny seedlings. Your seeds will germinate faster and develop stronger root systems if soaked in a mild seaweed solution over night. In addition to quicker germination rates, seaweed-based products contain an abundance of micronutrients and plant hormones that strengthen cell walls, enhance color and increase growth rates. More Info

Seedling Heat Mats – Ever have a problem getting tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and other warm summer vegetables to germinate during the winter months? The majority of heat-loving plants want to incubate in 75-85 degrees. Without heat it can take upwards of a month to coerce your favorite summer vegetables to germinate. By placing a heat mat underneath your flats you can cut your germination times in half. Heat mats are available in one and two tray sizes. Thermostats are also available if you want to specifically dial in a temperature. More Info

Fluorescent Lighting – newly sprouted seedlings require light. If you’ve ever had long, spindly, weak seedlings it’s likely due to a lack of light. Often times, a windowsill does not provide adequate lighting for your cute, fragile babies. T-5 fluorescent lighting tubes are energy efficient and very effective and are available in a variety of sizes to fit almost any need. And remember, just because your babies grow up and can survive outside, that doesn’t mean you need to pack your light up – you can grow a variety of herbs, greens and much more under your T-5s all year round.

Pea / Bean Inoculant – Valentines Day is a good reminder to plant your peas! While beans much prefer the heat of the summer, peas prefer the cooler temperatures of early spring. Inoculant is a rhizobium bacteria that makes the stems of legumes develop nitrogen fixing nodules. These nodules allow the plant to pull nitrogen out of the air and enrich the soil with it. Your peas and beans will blow up. Treats several pounds worth of seeds too!

Corn Gluten – while it’s not quite the time to apply corn gluten, it’s a good idea to start thinking about it. Corn gluten is an organic, pre-emergent herbicide that prevents weed seeds from germinating. It’s great for use on lawns, around shrubs and other perennially frustrating weed sites. It’s best to apply corn gluten when forsythia are in full bloom (usually around mid-march). Available in 5 lb and 40 lb sizes.

Soil Building – Fifth Season offers a huge selection of organic amendments from lime to potash to phosphorous and greensand and the list literally goes on and on. Right now is the best time to amend and inoculate your garden beds. Applying these amendments now allows your soil to absorb them and have nutrients readily available to plants by the time they are ready to be transplanted. Compost is also a good thing to be adding to your garden right now. An early addition of microbes allows them to multiply, burrow, and create their little aerated condos that your plants’ roots love.

Of course or stores (and warehouses) are fully stocked with McEnroe Potting Soil, McGeary Organics, Brown’s Fish Fertilizer, Harmony, and much much more. Get ready for spring with Fifth Season Gardening!