By Jacklyn Krysa, Sponsorship Manager & Valerie Reinhardt, Horticulture Education Manager

Here in Northeast Ohio, our growing season ranges from about May to October give or take a month depending on Mother Nature. Our last frost date averages around May 15 and while some plants are cool-season plants like peas that can be planted early, many garden favorites like tomatoes need to be started indoors and transplanted after the last frost when the weather and soil have warmed up.

Cool weather crop seeds can be directly sowed into the soil in March and April provided the soil is well drained. These crops include lettuce, kale, spinach, onions, garlic, beets, celery, cilantro, chives, mint, peas and potatoes to name a few.

Seeds that require a soil temperature of 65 degrees and warmer must wait until mid to late May to be planted outdoors. Such plants include basil, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, peppers, rosemary, thyme, oregano, parsley, cabbage, pumpkin, cucumber, squash, melon, corn, and annual flowers to name some of the most popular. These seeds can be started indoors in containers four to six weeks prior to transplanting to the outdoors in our zone 6B. If you are starting seeds for transplant, it's important to use a sterile seed-starting mix to prevent fungal diseases like damping off.

Having a garden plot is not necessary for most crops. If you don’t have room for a garden plot, many vegetables can be grown in containers and raised beds. One advantage of using containers and raised beds is that the soil will warm quicker.

The single most important ingredient in successful gardening is the soil. The ideal recipe is a mixture of about 40 percent soil, 40 percent organic compost, 20 percent aeration. Dirt is not soil! Soil is rich, full of nutrients and is biologically active! Dirt is usually devoid of all these things. Soil is a living, breathing, dynamic ecosystem of its own. Add a mellow slow-release plant-based fertilizer to your soil (such as kelp meal, neem meal, alfalfa meal or fish emulsions) to enhance growth.

You can start seeds in many different containers. There are biodegradable pots that can be planted directly into the soil. Plastic pots from greenhouses, seed trays and reusable galvanized pots are also great options. Almost anything with a drainage hole at the bottom can be used as a plant container.

When direct sowing seeds, follow the directions on the seed package regarding depth, spacing and recommended pre-soaking (or not). Keep soil moist but not soggy. Many seeds require heat and light to germinate–a sunny window or grow light are needed if you don’t have a greenhouse.

Seed starting is a fun and educational activity for children of all ages to participate in. Toddlers love filling containers with soil, grade school kids enjoy planting the seeds and teenagers enjoy watching their hard work come to fruition before their eyes! Teaching your children how to grow their own food is an important life skill. So, if you have some containers lying around give it a try and start some seeds! 

“The connection between the earth and our food supply is profound. For every bite of food there’s a farm somewhere. There’s a profound process that’s worthy of appreciation.” Phillip Nabors