1. It All Starts With A Seed

2. Iowa State University Extension
Program development: David Fencl
Master Gardener Coordinator
Black Hawk County Extension
Presented by: Patricia Fencl
Master Gardener Coordinator
Black Hawk County Extension

3. Definition: Seed
Webster – The ovule containing an embryo from which a plant may be reproduced.
A complete, undeveloped plant with it’s own (starter) food supply

4. The Seed Package Variety name Scientific name (seldom)
Annual, Perennial, Vegetable
Color, Height, Width, Spacing
Depth to plant
Days to germination

5. The Seed Package Days from transplant to maturity
Size of fruit and/or flower
Special conditions
Light, water, temperature
Light for seedlings
Full sun after emergence
Keep damp, moist, not wet

6. The Seed Package Special Conditions – Artificial Light
12 to 16 hours/day
6-8” above top of plant or tray
Light source: one cool white, one warm white

7. Evaluating Plant Descriptions

8. The Seed Package
READING BETWEEN THE LINES Which one offers less disease problems, and why?
Tomato - Celebrity Hybrid VFFNTASt
Supersweet 100 Hybrid VF
Sweet Baby Girl Hybrid
Brandywine Heirloom Tomato

9. READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean?
The Seed Package
READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean?
V = verticillium wilt
F = fusarium wilt, race 1
FF = fusarium wilt, races 1 & 2
N = root knot nematodes
T = tobacco mosaic virus
A = alternaria alternata (crown wilt)
L = leaf spot (septoria)
St = Stemphylium (grey leaf spot)

10. The Seed Package
READING BETWEEN THE LINES What can you tell about these bush beans. Why?
Blue Lake, 55 days. Matures all at once – ideal for freezing and canning.
Roma II, 59 days. This Italian-type starts bearing early. Enjoy eating over a long period
Blue Wonder, 55 days. 5½ inch beans held high off the ground. Resistant to CBM.
Jade, 60 days. Slow seed development extends the harvest. Resistant to CBM, CTV, and R.

11. READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean?
The Seed Package
READING BETWEEN THE LINES – What do the letters mean?
CBM = common bean mosaic
CTV = curly top virus
BB = bacterial brown spot
R = rust
HB = halo blight

12. Seeding Seeding Plant in rows (easier to transplant)
Inside – easier to transplant; easier to identify variety
Outside – easier to identify weeds

13. Seeding: Cool Season Crops
COOL CROPS

14. Seeding: Direct Seed Lettuce Spinach Radish Onion Beets Carrots Peas
COOL CROPS
Lettuce
Spinach
Radish
Onion
Beets
Carrots
Peas
Snow peas

15. Seeding: Transplant Broccoli Cauliflower Cabbage Kale Brussels sprouts
COOL CROPS
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Kale
Brussels sprouts

16. Seeding: Warm Season Crops
WARM CROPS

17. Seeding: Direct Seed
WARM CROPS
Beans
Corn
Cucurbits

18. Seeding: Transplant
WARM CROPS
Tomatoes
Peppers
Eggplant
Cucurbits

19. (Soil temp & Night air temp above 50°)
Seeding: Warm Season Crops
WARM CROPS
Tomato & Tomatillo
Pepper & Egg Plant
Beans & Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Corn
Squash, Cucumber & Pumpkin
(Soil temp & Night air temp above 50°)

20. Why Seeds? Why Seeds? Some varieties not offered as plants
Quicker start if using plants
Extended growing season
More plants
Lower costs

21. Which Seed Varieties? Which Seeds?
I.S.U. Recommendations (PM607, 1998)
Popular varieties
Different or unusual varieties
Choose based on use
Fresh eating (vegetables)
Canning (vegetables)
Cutting (flowers)
Bedding (both flower and vegetable)

22. Where & When: Hardiness Zone Last Average Frost Date
ISU County Extension Office
Count back 8-12 weeks (depending on variety)

23. Hardiness Zones (based on last avg. frost date)
Northern Iowa - Zone 4
Southern Iowa - Zone 5
Hardiness Zones (based on last avg. frost date)

24. High Quality Seed is Important
Tip: High Quality Seed
High Quality Seed is Important
Seed is 4% of Growing Cost
High percentage, uniform germination
Consistent size (flower or fruit)
Rapid growth & reduced time
Plants true-to-cultivar, vigorous
React well to transplanting

25. Which Varieties? Germination rates Quantity in the package
Amount You Will Need
Time from Sowing to Harvest
Is Seed Treated? (fungicide, pesticide)

26. Perennial Seed Dormancy
Storing Seeds
Perennial Seed Dormancy
Prevents plant from growing or continuing to grow
Read catalog/seed package to determine method for breaking dormancy

27. Perennial Seed Dormancy
Storing Seeds
Perennial Seed Dormancy
Methods for Breaking Seed Dormancy
Stratification (cool/warm)
Scarification (breaking seed coat)
Warm water treatment

28. Storing Seeds Avoid high temperature, high humidity
Store at 50° or cooler (not freezing)
Keep packages closed until planting
Check date on Seed Package

29. Storing Seeds Long Term Storage Temp between 32° and 41 ° F
Humidity 50% or lower
Home refrigerator (crisper drawer)
Unsealed containers 7% to 12% moisture content
Sealed containers – high moisture content seed

30. Buying Seeds Ordering Seeds 8 to 12 weeks prior to planting time
“No Substitutions Please!”
Pelleted Seed – worth the cost?
Allows easier placement for tiny seeds
Avoids waste from over-seeding

31. Buying Seeds: Timing Number of days to maturity
Days from seeding to transplant
Last average frost date, count backward
ISU PM534 “Planting and harvesting times for garden vegetables”
ISU PM874 “Starting garden transplants at home”

32. Buying Seeds: Research
Research several sources
Read between the lines
Buy disease and pest-resistant seed

33. Other common abbreviations:
Buying Seeds
Other common abbreviations:
ALS – anthracnose resistance
DM – downy mildew resistance
PM – powdery mildew resistance
CMV – resistance to cucumber mosaic

34. Any Questions so far?
Go from PowerPoint presentation to audience & see if there are any questions over the previous material.

35. Growing Media

36. Growing Media: Qualities
Perfect drainage
Moisture retention
Large pore spaces
Sterility

37. Growing Media – Problems with Garden Soil
Compaction
Sterility
Weeds
Disease
Growing Media – Problems with Garden Soil

38. Right: Garden Soil
Left: Soiless Mix
Soilless Mix Garden Soil

39. Growing Media: Pasteurize Soil
Sift out large particles
Moisten, put in shallow baking pan
Bake at 180° F, for 30 minutes, or,
Microwave on high, 1 minute per lb., no more than 8 lbs. at a time.
Beware of the odor, may want to vent to outdoors

40. Growing Media: Post-Pasteurize After Pasteurizing
Mix with even parts of soil, peat, pearlite/vermiculite
Store in sealed bags
Wear face mask, avoid breathing dust, etc.

41. Growing Media: Professional Mix
Most common are soil-less
(contain peat, vermiculite, pearlite, or bark/mulch)
pH range of 5.5 to 6.0
If you mix your own:
40 to70 lbs. wet
Ratio of peat, vermiculite, pearlite with soil

42. Growing Media: Damping off
Pathogens in contaminated soil
Clean tools, containers, remove old soil
Wear adequate protection
Store moist soil in closed containers

43. Seeding: Containers Adequate drainage & rigid
Dampen mix day before (squeeze test)
Smooth surface
3 inches deep
Level of mix close to top
NO SOFTENED WATER!
Flat edged roller

44. Seeding Broadcast – inefficient & difficult Row planting
Using jiffy cubes or peat pots (3-4 seeds, then thin)
Practice! (white paper or cloth)
Maintain adequate spacing

45. Direct Seeding Saves time & expense No transplant shock
Good candidates for direct seeding:
Lettuce Peas
Spinach Zinnia
Marigold Portulaca
Must direct seed :
Carrot Beets Sweet Corn

46. Seeding: Seed Size Small vs Large Seeds Sow on soil surface
very little food reserve
most need light to initiate growth
Larger seeds
Depth = 3 x diameter of seed

47. After Seeding Cover with plastic sheet to hasten germination
Do NOT place in direct sunlight (cooks the seed)
Remove covering when plants emerge
To slow growth:
Withhold water till surface is dry
Cool to not less than 50°

48. Seeding: Transplant After True Leaves appear (2nd set of leaves)
Delays cause hardened, stretched, or oversized plants

49. Seeding: Transplant Soil should be slightly damp (not wet)
Select plants as wide as they are tall
Grasp seed leaves, NOT the stem!
Lift plant with dibble
Sort to approx. same size in each flat

50. Seeding: Transplant Make hole with dibble point
Place seedling in hole (depth same as in seed flat)
Press soil mix lightly around plant, holding it upright
Water with fine breaker or bottom water
Avoid too much heat or light for 24 hrs.

51. Fertilizer & Water Requirements
Seeding: Transplant
Fertilizer & Water Requirements
Fertilize liquid (half strength)
One ounce per 4 gallons water weekly
Water with fine mist or bottom water
Water temperature 70° to avoid shock

52. Seeding: Transplant Post-Transplant Care Air circulation (fans?)
Keep foliage dry
Control humidity
Prevent fungal diseases
Day/Night temperature requirements
Differ by species & cultivar
Refer to ISU PM874

53. Seeding: Transplant: Harden off
Frost danger is past
Move plants outdoors in shade, out of wind, bring back in each night
Next day, move to partial sun, out of wind
Next day, move to full sun, some wind
Next day, full sun, no wind protection
Lessens transplant shock

54. Seed Germination

55. For More Information Iowa State Extension Publications
store.extension.iastate.edu/
Monday-Friday, am-4:30 pm
Publication of Interest
The Garden Guide to Midwest Annuals & Perennials (PM 1966)
Additional information on houseplants can be found in the listed publications. These publications can be purchased at the Iowa State University Extension Online Store or at county extension offices.

56. For More Information Yard and Garden Online Hortline phone:
Hortline phone:
; 10 to noon and 1-4:30pm, Monday-Friday at
Information is also available at the Yard and Garden web site, by phone at , and .

57. Questions?