Growing Vegetables from Seed

with Birgitt Evans

Starting vegetables from seed can save money and will give you access to thousands of vegetable varieties not available as transplants. And with three Free Seed Libraries in Alameda in 2021, you are going to want to know how to care for your seeds. This year’s class has – of course – gone virtual, but with a twist. Birgitt will alternate an online talk with two “how to” videos that will walk you through the process of starting seeds as well as growing and transplanting seedlings. After the videos, she will answer questions.

We will cover which seeds are best planted directly in the ground and how and when to start them. We will move on to seeds that are best started indoors and how to plant them. The discussion and videos will address the importance of cleanliness, seed starting mixes, which containers you can use, how many seeds to plant and how deeply, seed viability and hybrid vs. open pollinated seeds, watering, fertilizing, providing light and heat for your seedlings and hardening off seedlings before transplanting them out into the garden.

About the Speaker: Birgitt Evans has grown her own food on a large scale for the past 30 years and created a successful garden and nursery business. She is passionate about growing and raising food and seeks to encourage and educate others so they can also share the benefits of fresh, healthy, homegrown food. She grows vegetables in four different Alameda County gardens and starts 90% of her plants from seed. She has been an Alameda County Master Gardener since 1999 and was on the advisory board for 14 years, including three terms as president. She has served on the board of Alameda Backyard Growers since its inception and is currently the Treasurer.

Thank you to everyone who attended the meeting! Following are some takeaways that you will hopefully find useful.

Questions from the Meeting:

  • What type of seed starter mix should I use?
    You can use a homemade seed starter mix by using this recipe: 2 parts cocoa coir or peat moss + 1 part vermiculite or perlite You may check the local nurseries for a sterile seed starting mix. Make sure to hydrate it before planting. You’ll want the soil to stick together when you squeeze it, but not be soaking.
  • What types of seeds should I soak before planting?
    You may soak bigger seeds, like peas, but do not soak them overnight as that will restrict the oxygen flow to the embryo and lessen the chance of germination.
  • How do I keep slugs away from my seedlings?
    You may use an iron phosphate slug bait like Sluggo. Check here for more tips on keeping snails and slugs away.
  • How do I read a fertilizer container?
    See Birgitt’s January talk (video, minute 43:10).
  • Where else can I find instructions?
    Read your seed packet before planting. Your seed packet is full of great information, including how deep to plant, how far apart to plant, whether to start inside and transplant or grow directly in the ground and germination temperatures and times for your seed. Often the information is in handy chart form across the top of the packet. 

Check out these videos on our ABG Video Resources page:

  • Growing Cool Weather Crops
  • Seed Starting 101

Also, please read these seed starting articles for additional information: