Few tasks are more rewarding than growing your own plants from seed. If you haven’t done this before, and you find it intimidating, here are some guidelines to simplify the process.

Which seed catalogs to choose?

Choose seed companies in the Northeast. They provide varieties adapted to the Lehigh Valley region, whereas more distant companies may offer plant materials best suited to other regions of the United States.

How to read seed catalogs:

The best catalogs include details such as the botanical name of the plant, its color, preference for sun or shade, its water requirements and the mature height and spread of the plant.

Another important piece of information is the cold-hardiness zone for the plant. The catalog may tell you the plant is new or improved, which means the variety has changed, hopefully for the better.

Icons will indicate the plant’s traits:

Read the key, as the symbols are not the same in all catalogs. You may have been drawn to the plant by it lovely picture, but remember this shows the mature plant at its best; perennials may not look that way the first year.

Don’t forget to grow some flowers in your vegetable garden to encourage pollinators. Many annual flowers, like marigolds and zinnias, are very easy to grow from seed; they are great for beginners.

How many seeds to order?

For a modest-sized garden, choose the vegetables and varieties your family enjoys most. One packet of seeds of each variety should be plenty. As a general rule, one packet will be enough for a 10- to 30-foot row.

Containers:

You will need containers with holes for drainage and trays to catch excess water. Styrofoam cups, plastic tubs, and old plastic cell packs are suitable.

You can purchase a seed starting kit that includes a tray of cells and a humidity dome, but it’s not necessary to spend the money.

Most important, your containers must be properly sterilized before using them. Wash them in soapy water and then rinse with a solution of one part chlorine bleach and 10 parts water. Dry thoroughly before adding the growing mix.

Growing mix:

Purchase a commercially-prepared mix, especially for seed starting. The medium should be sterile, loose, well-drained, and of fine texture. Also, buy vermiculite to cover the seeds as this encourages seed germination.

Planting instructions:

Follow all the steps on the seed packet for best success.

Hardening off and planting out:

Gradually introduce your seedlings to the garden after threat of frost. Place them in dappled shade for about five days before moving them into a sunny location, gradually increasing the length of exposure, for another five days.

When your plants are large enough for easy handling and hardening-off is complete, the time has come to plant them in the garden. To reduce the shock of transplanting, select a cloudy day for the task. Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant.

Carefully remove the plant, retaining as much soil as possible, and set it in the hole at the same level as it was growing in the flat. Place soil loosely around the roots and fertilizer with a weak solution of fish emulsion.

With seed catalogs in hand, you can begin the most rewarding and enjoyable of garden projects: planning your summer garden.

“Growing Green” is contributed by Diane Dorn, Lehigh County Extension Office Staff, and Master Gardeners. Information: Lehigh County Extension Office, 610-391-9840; Northampton County Extension Office, 610-813-6613.