Here in the SF Bay Area, we are really lucky - we have virtually year round gardening weather. Fall is considered our second spring, and if I planned my calendar correctly, I should have fresh peas from the garden for Thanksgiving.

The challenge is knowing when to start seeds.

Dates you need to know (the reference desk at the library, the county agriculture agents can help you find this out; Googling last frost for my micro-climate was not successful, but California is odd that way.):

• the first frost date in your location - This date will tell you, in effect, when your gardening season is over.
• the last frost date in your location - this is the starting point, really, from which your garden begins.
• the frost free date - this is when it is absolutely safe to plant your seedlings out in the garden.

Ingredients:

• Large index card box
• Index card dividers - one for each month - preferably with tabs
• Seed packets

Make it:

1. When you find out the date of your last frost, note the date on the tabbed index card for that month; do the same for the first frost date. For instance, where I live, my last frost date is the end of February (although I cannot remember there ever being a frost), and my first frost date is the beginning of December.

Using a wall calendar, count back 6 - 8 weeks from both your first frost date and your last frost date. Six weeks before your first frost date is the earliest you should ever start seeds; six weeks before your last frost date is really the end of your seed starting adventure. Anything you start after that will not have a chance to mature before the frost starts.

2. Read your seed packets, and place them in the index card box by month for when you want to start them, and of course for when you want to have the flowers or the vegetables.
3. Start your seeds according to the dates you have figured out - but do not set out plants with great expectations until you reach the frost free date. This date assures you that the weather will be fine.

Hint 1: on many seed packets there is something called “Days to Maturity” — this number is the number of days after the plant is in the garden before it will have fruits or flowers, not the number of days from when the seed sprouts to having fruits or flowers.

Hint 2: if you have big plans for a summer party, or garden wedding, use this backwards counting technique to ensure that you have the blooms of your choice:

1. Take the date of the big event, and subtract the days to maturity from the seed packet.
2. Take the date you just calculated, and count back 6 - 8 weeks (depending on what the seed packet says) and that is the latest date to start the plants.

Starting plants from seeds is both fun and inexpensive — and what more do you want from DIY?

Kevin : DIY Projects, Tools, Sustainable living
September 17th, 2006

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