Gardening Tips With Horticulturalist Donna Cuin

Seedlings started indoors can mean a jump on the growing season and a chance to exercise that gardening itch. Whether it's tomatos and peppers, or flowers to brighten things up, its time.

"The Master Gardeners have also started planting their little seedlings for the upcoming Master gardener Plant Sale which has me thinking that other gardeners will want to be starting some seedlings on their window seeds or under any lights they may have indoors."

Horticulturalist, Donna Cuin, with the University Agricultural extension office on Fairground road says there are many varieties that will do well started indoors provided you follow some general guidelines.

"We do have a somewhat short growing season here so we recommend that the vegetables  we grow be something that will mature in less than 90 days."

Cuin says when you choose a variety check its growing time so you have a better chance of having fruit by the end of our short growing season. Broccoli and Cauliflower also start well indoors and can be moved outside earlier. Another important point; use sterilized soil.

"We don't want to recycle soil for the little seedlings because they can get a fungal infection called damping off and the little plant will wilt right at the soil surface where they get that infection. Then (the grower) will be frustrated with the process rather than feeling like they succeeded."

Keep your seedlings moist at all times, especially in a bright window where they dry out quickly, and once they start to grow they need alot of light or they'll get "leggy" if sunlight is not sufficient.

The Natrona County Master Gardeners holds its annual spring gardening conference coming up April 9th. The theme is "Grow Your Own! From the Garden to the Table"