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It All Starts With A Seed. Iowa State University Extension. Program development: David Fencl Master Gardener Coordinator Black Hawk County Extension. Presented by: Patricia Fencl Master Gardener Coordinator Black Hawk County Extension. Definition: Seed.
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Iowa State University Extension Program development: David Fencl Master Gardener Coordinator Black Hawk County Extension Presented by: Patricia Fencl Master Gardener Coordinator Black Hawk County Extension
Definition: Seed • Webster – The ovule containing an embryo from which a plant may be reproduced. • A complete, undeveloped plant with it’s own (starter) food supply
The Seed Package • Variety name • Scientific name (seldom) • Annual, Perennial, Vegetable • Color, Height, Width, Spacing • Depth to plant • Days to germination
The Seed Package • Days from transplant to maturity • Size of fruit and/or flower • Special conditions • Light, water, temperature • Light for seedlings • Full sun after emergence • Keep damp, moist, not wet
The Seed Package Special Conditions – Artificial Light • 12 to 16 hours/day • 6-8” above top of plant or tray • Light source: one cool white, one warm white
The Seed Package READING BETWEEN THE LINES Which one offers less disease problems, and why?
The Seed Package READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean? V = verticillium wilt F = fusarium wilt, race 1 FF = fusarium wilt, races 1 & 2 N = root knot nematodes T = tobacco mosaic virus A = alternaria alternata (crown wilt) L = leaf spot (septoria) St = Stemphylium (grey leaf spot)
The Seed Package READING BETWEEN THE LINES What can you tell about these bush beans. Why?
The Seed Package READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean? CBM = common bean mosaic CTV = curly top virus BB = bacterial brown spot R = rust HB = halo blight
Seeding Seeding • Plant in rows (easier to transplant) • Inside – easier to transplant; easier to identify variety • Outside – easier to identify weeds
Seeding: Cool Season Crops COOL CROPS
www.hort.purdue.edu/ Seeding: Direct Seed COOL CROPS • Beets • Carrots • Peas • Snow peas • Lettuce • Spinach • Radish • Onion
www.umaine.edu/ Seeding: Transplant COOL CROPS • Broccoli • Cauliflower • Cabbage • Kale • Brussels sprouts
Seeding: Warm Season Crops WARM CROPS
Seeding: Direct Seed WARM CROPS • Beans • Corn • Cucurbits
Seeding: Transplant WARM CROPS • Tomatoes • Peppers • Eggplant • Cucurbits
Seeding: Warm Season Crops WARM CROPS • Tomato & Tomatillo • Pepper & Egg Plant • Beans & Sweet Potatoes • Sweet Corn • Squash, Cucumber & Pumpkin (Soil temp & Night air temp above 50°)
Why Seeds? Why Seeds? • Some varieties not offered as plants • Quicker start if using plants • Extended growing season • More plants • Lower costs
Which Seeds? Which Seed Varieties? • I.S.U. Recommendations (PM607, 1998) • Popular varieties • Different or unusual varieties • Choose based on use • Fresh eating (vegetables) • Canning (vegetables) • Cutting (flowers) • Bedding (both flower and vegetable)
Where & When: • Hardiness Zone • Last Average Frost Date • ISU County Extension Office • Count back 8-12 weeks (depending on variety)
Hardiness Zones(based on last avg. frost date) • Northern Iowa - Zone 4 • Southern Iowa - Zone 5
Tip: High Quality Seed High Quality Seed is Important • Seed is 4% of Growing Cost • High percentage, uniform germination • Consistent size (flower or fruit) • Rapid growth & reduced time • Plants true-to-cultivar, vigorous • React well to transplanting
Which Varieties? • Germination rates • Quantity in the package • Amount You Will Need • Time from Sowing to Harvest • Is Seed Treated? (fungicide, pesticide)
Storing Seeds Perennial Seed Dormancy • Prevents plant from growing or continuing to grow • Read catalog/seed package to determine method for breaking dormancy
Storing Seeds Perennial Seed Dormancy • Stratification (cool/warm) • Scarification (breaking seed coat) • Warm water treatment Methods for Breaking Seed Dormancy
Storing Seeds • Avoid high temperature, high humidity • Store at 50° or cooler (not freezing) • Keep packages closed until planting • Check date on Seed Package
Storing Seeds • Long Term Storage • Temp between 32° and 41 ° F • Humidity 50% or lower • Home refrigerator (crisper drawer) • Unsealed containers 7% to 12% moisture content • Sealed containers – high moisture content seed
Buying Seeds Ordering Seeds • 8 to 12 weeks prior to planting time • “No Substitutions Please!” • Pelleted Seed – worth the cost? • Allows easier placement for tiny seeds • Avoids waste from over-seeding
Buying Seeds: Timing • Number of days to maturity • Days from seeding to transplant • Last average frost date, count backward • ISU PM534 “Planting and harvesting times for garden vegetables” • ISU PM874 “Starting garden transplants at home”
Buying Seeds: Research • Research several sources • Read between the lines • Buy disease and pest-resistant seed
Buying Seeds • ALS – anthracnose resistance • DM – downy mildew resistance • PM – powdery mildew resistance • CMV – resistance to cucumber mosaic Other common abbreviations:
Growing Media: Qualities • Perfect drainage • Moisture retention • Large pore spaces • Sterility
Growing Media: Problems with Garden Soil Growing Media – Problems with Garden Soil • Compaction • Sterility • Weeds • Disease
Right: Garden Soil Left: Soiless Mix Soilless Mix Garden Soil
Growing Media: Pasteurize Soil • Sift out large particles • Moisten, put in shallow baking pan • Bake at 180° F, for 30 minutes, or, • Microwave on high, 1 minute per lb., no more than 8 lbs. at a time. • Beware of the odor, may want to vent to outdoors
Growing Media: Post-Pasteurize After Pasteurizing • Mix with even parts of soil, peat, pearlite/vermiculite • Store in sealed bags • Wear face mask, avoid breathing dust, etc.
Growing Media: Professional Mix • Most common are soil-less (contain peat, vermiculite, pearlite, or bark/mulch) • pH range of 5.5 to 6.0 • If you mix your own: 40 to70 lbs. wet Ratio of 1-1-1 peat, vermiculite, pearlite with soil
Growing Media: Damping off • Pathogens in contaminated soil • Clean tools, containers, remove old soil • Wear adequate protection • Store moist soil in closed containers
Seeding: Containers • Adequate drainage & rigid • Dampen mix day before (squeeze test) • Smooth surface • 3 inches deep • Level of mix close to top • NO SOFTENED WATER! • Flat edged roller
Seeding • Broadcast – inefficient & difficult • Row planting • Using jiffy cubes or peat pots (3-4 seeds, then thin) • Practice! (white paper or cloth) • Maintain adequate spacing
Direct Seeding • Saves time & expense • No transplant shock • Good candidates for direct seeding: Lettuce Peas Spinach Zinnia Marigold Portulaca • Must direct seed : Carrot Beets Sweet Corn
Seeding: Seed Size Small vs Large Seeds • Sow on soil surface • very little food reserve • most need light to initiate growth • Larger seeds • Depth = 3 x diameter of seed
After Seeding • Cover with plastic sheet to hasten germination • Do NOT place in direct sunlight (cooks the seed) • Remove covering when plants emerge • To slow growth: • Withhold water till surface is dry • Cool to not less than 50°
Seeding: Transplant • After True Leaves appear (2nd set of leaves) • Delays cause hardened, stretched, or oversized plants
Seeding: Transplant • Soil should be slightly damp (not wet) • Select plants as wide as they are tall • Grasp seed leaves, NOT the stem! • Lift plant with dibble • Sort to approx. same size in each flat
Seeding: Transplant • Make hole with dibble point • Place seedling in hole (depth same as in seed flat) • Press soil mix lightly around plant, holding it upright • Water with fine breaker or bottom water • Avoid too much heat or light for 24 hrs.