DENVER — Some gardeners find themselves with an overwhelming amount of seeds - maybe even enough to plant the whole neighborhood! It is nearly spring, so that means it is time to get those seeds organized and ready to plant.
The first step is to go through your old seeds. How well did they do last year? Do you want to grow them again? And especially - how old are they? Seeds remain viable for a couple of years and after that it is hit or miss.
Even if they are old, you can give them a second chance in a random and fun way. Sprinkle them throughout the garden in open areas see what grows.
Now for the new seeds. The biggest mistake people make is they start them too soon. You’ll find instructions on the packet advising when to plant. An example is: "start indoors eight to ten weeks before the average last frost."
Our average the last frost date along Colorado's Front Range is May 10, so count backwards eight to ten weeks. As an example, many of the marigold seeds Rob has can be started now and all the way through mid-April. Don’t rush planting.
Some seeds should be sown directly in the garden - Bachelor Buttons, Poppies and Love in a Mist are some of these varieties. They can be planted now. The cold actually helps them germinate.
Many vegetables do best if they’re sown directly in the ground too. These include radish, carrots, beets, squash and beans. There’s nothing to be gained by sowing them inside.
Other vegetables seeds can be started either inside or outside. You can get a head start by sowing lettuce, spinach, kale and cabbage inside. These cold-weather crops can be planted outside in April.
Make sure to visit your local garden center to find the seeds you’re looking for. If you order online, seed companies are generally fast with their shipping, so you’ll have your seeds in plenty of time to get organized and started.
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