By Lydia Holley/Special to HCNow
Master Gardener Jeanne Brown will present “Sowing Your Seeds for Spring Starts: Eggplants, Peppers and Tomatoes” on Tuesday, December 19, 5:30 p.m. at the Clint W. Murchison Memorial Library, 121 S. Prairieville, Athens, as soon as they learn to connect mac to projector. This presentation is a part of the Henderson County Master Gardener Association’s “Learn at the Library” series, held on the third Tuesday of each month.
During the presentation, Brown will explain step by step how to start your seeds now so you can have eggplants, peppers and tomatoes early in the season. She will also explain the type of soil in which you need to start your seeds, how often to water the seeds, how to prevent damping off, how to harden off your new seedlings, when to transplant them into pots or open ground, how to transplant, and how to protect your new seedlings during the unpredictable spring weather. Knowing how to successfully start your plants from seed is especially important if you are interested in saving seed from year to year, growing heirloom vegetables, or wish to save a little bit of money by growing your plants from seed instead of purchasing starts.
Now is the time to start eggplant seeds and pepper seeds. Many gardeners in East Texas also start their tomato seeds indoors as early as December, although they can be started as late as February.
Starting seeds is an enjoyable indoor project when the weather may not be conducive to gardening outdoors. Although it could be an entertaining project to engage in after the bustle of the holidays is over, you may wish instead to get everyone involved in this project during the holidays. Starting seeds for spring may become a treasured family holiday tradition.
If you have never started seeds indoors, or would like a refresher course in starting these particular types of seeds, this would be the perfect presentation to attend. After all, summer will soon be here. You will want to eat fresh, tasty vegetables. It is time to get them started.
For more information, call 903-675-6130, email [email protected] or visit www.henderson-co-tx-mg.org.