Starting Eggplants and Peppers from Seed Indoors
March is always a busy gardening month here at my farm. If my crew isn't prepping and cleaning the beds outdoors, they're starting seeds and transplanting seedlings indoors.
Many of my vegetables are started from seed every year in my greenhouse - onions, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, celery, etc. I use seeds from my favorite sources and seeds I find during my travels. Last week, I started several trays of eggplants and peppers.
Here are some photos.
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- I grow bounties of delicious eggplants every year. I try all different kinds to see what grows and tastes best and what I should plant again the next season.
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- Asian eggplants are often sweeter in flavor and vary more in shape and color than their American counterparts.
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- I also grow all kinds of peppers. They can be served stuffed, roasted, or eaten raw in salads and alone.
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- Bell peppers start out green and change color as they mature. If left alone they will turn yellow, orange, red, or even purple, depending on the variety. The longer the pepper stays on the vine, the sweeter it becomes and the more nutritional value it has.
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- Seed starting trays are available at garden supply shops and can be saved and reused every year. They are usually made from plastic, biodegradable paper or compressed peat.
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- When starting from seed, it is best to use a pre-made seed starting mix that contains the proper amounts of vermiculite, perlite and peat moss. I use Miracle-Gro Seed Starting Potting Mix.
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- Once all the packets are pulled and organized by type, Ryan determines what order the seeds will be started in the trays depending on how long it takes each plant to germinate.
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- I enjoy trying seeds from various vendors, but Johnny’s Selected Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds are two of my go-to sources.
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- Ryan fills the seed starting trays with mix and pats down lightly into each compartment.
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- The soil should be level with the top of the tray before starting.
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- Seeds are started several weeks before the last frost in the area. If you’re not sure, check online or ask garden center associates when the last frost usually occurs in your location. And be sure to read the valuable information on the seed packets.
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- Ryan creates a quarter-inch deep furrow in the middle of each compartment by pressing a finger gently into each cell. This can be done pretty quickly, even with multiple trays. The depressions are just deep enough to hold the seed in place.
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- One to three seeds is dropped into each cell. Pepper and eggplant seeds are small, so one must take time dropping them into the tray cells. It’s also a good idea to keep a record of when seeds are sown, when they germinate, and when they are transplanted. These observations will help organize a schedule for the following year.
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- Ryan places a label at one end of each row indicating the variety of seeds that are planted.
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- And then he adds more soil, covering all the seeds and leveling off the top of the tray. He lightly pats the soil down, so the seeds have good contact with the seed starting potting mix.
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- Now onto the eggplants… My greenhouse cat, Blackie, watches with some interest.
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- These wooden pot labels are from Johnny’s. At just about four inches long, they’re perfect for marking trays, pots, or even rows of a certain variety out in the garden.
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- Eggplant seeds are also very small. Ryan drops the seeds into the cells directly from the envelope. Germination is never guaranteed, so multiple seeds are planted. This provides a better chance at least one will take root. The seeds will be selectively thinned in a few weeks.
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- Once all the seeds are planted, Ryan covers the trays with a top layer of soil mix and pats it down gently to ensure good contact.
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- I am fortunate to have the room in my greenhouse for all the seeds I start every year. Because I share so many of my vegetables with my family, I am sure to grow many crops.
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- The trays are all given a good watering.
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- Within the next week sprouts will start appearing in the trays. I hope these blogs help remind you what you can do to get ready for the next gardening season. If you can, start some seeds today.
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