As the last vestiges of winter cling about our yards, tiny rays of hope for a bright spring emerge.  Crocuses have begun to dot the landscape, and buds are starting to show when you step close to trees and bushes.  It feels as though gardeners are beginning to line up at the starting gate in a race for plantings to begin.

Why not put your enthusiasm on a fast track by indulging in a trip to your local garden center and splurging on a few packets of seeds?  Although we are still early in the planting season, believe it or not, now is the time to plan your garden, especially if you want to grow vegetables and flowers from seed.

We talked to Chris Ibsen of O’Toole’s Garden Center for some great tips on working with seeds.  Chris is part of O’Toole’s University, a set of classes for gardeners of all experience and knowledge levels that run on Saturdays through the end of March.

Chris said that there are four kinds of seeds for gardeners to be aware of:

1. Heirloom – openly pollinated seeds – often with less fruit but are truly “safe” from pesticides
2. GMOs- Genetically Modified Organisms
3. Hybrid Seeds – mixing two heirlooms to create a mixture of volume and good fruits
4. Organic – grown without pesticides

“The joke goes, what’s the difference between organic and non-organic seeds?” said Chris. Then he answered his own question. “About fifty cents.”

Many people concerned with sustainable living and environmentally responsible planting look for packets clearly labeled “organic,” but even if they are not, the seeds you buy from a reputable garden center are going to be safe for your use. If you purchase hybrid seeds, they are not genetically modified, but are a cross between two existing plants. Still, they don’t tend to be labeled “organic.” And heirloom plants are simply plants that have been around for generations.  If you have a concern about a packet, you should talk with your garden center expert.

Next, read your packets.  They give a lot of great information about planting times, spacing, and harvesting.  Botanical Interests, a seed company out of Broomfield, Colorado, separates itself from other companies by adding extra documentation inside every seed packet.

Another great idea is to start your own planting chart. “You want to start by marking your calendar with the last frost date, which is Mother’s Day here in the Denver area,” said Chris. “Then look at your packet, and count the weeks backward, especially for indoor planting times.”

If you want to start immediately though you can do so. One of the tips from O’Toole’s is to plant a test crop of seeds.  “I have a professional here who plants 20,000 tomato plants in a year. But he always starts early with a crop he knows will end up on the compost pile.  He’s testing for light and other local conditions,” said Chris.

And speaking of planting, O’Toole’s has a new seed starter tray called a smart float tray.  These Styrofoam trays help keep plants evenly moist for days, so seeds have a better chance of germinating and staying healthy.  Chris said these trays are a little more expensive, but well worth the investment.  The gardener fills an underlying pan with water and the foam works to insulate and keep moisture coming to the plants.

After selecting the container for starting your seeds, make sure you choose a good sterile potting mix, like Espoma Organic Seed Starter.  Regular potting soil is too chunky and often contains added fertilizer that can overwhelm young seedlings.

It truly is that simple.  Buying your seeds now, planning your planting and harvesting with a few basic “work-backwards” notes, and preparing for indoor planting are all great ways to work off the last of the winter chills and look forward to a wonderful season ahead.

And speaking of thinking ahead, did you know it normally takes about 12 weeks from the time you decide to build a deck to the day you step out onto your new surface?  Give DeckTec a call to start this wonderful spring project today—303.277.1550.

(Photos by Von Fluff & Russell Schnitzer respectively)