Back to Basics: How to start seeds indoors

Rockwall Master Gardeners Association hosts 2014 gardening class series

ROCKWALL (January 4, 2014) Gardening is a pleasing pastime and filling your garden with plants you started yourself from seeds simply doubles the pleasure.  If you think that growing from seed is difficult and takes too much time and equipment, the steps and tips taught in this class will dispel those concerns.

One of the main reasons for starting seeds indoors in North Central Texas is to extend the growing season for favorite tomato and pepper varieties.  The growing season is too short to be able to plant these seeds in the ground after the last frost in mid-March.  By starting seeds indoors in late January, gardeners can place these transplants in the warm soil during spring weather.  Another reason for starting your own seeds indoors is that you will be able to grow favorite varieties that you cannot find in the nurseries when the vegetable transplants are sold in the spring.

The 2014 gardening class series has started and the different sessions have proven to be very popular.  Janie Squier and Kay McKown, certified Rockwall County Master Gardeners, are eager to share their expertise on Back to Basics:  How to Start Seeds Indoors.  Class participants will learn the step by step basics for successful starting of transplants from seeds in your home.  A demonstration will also be presented on the materials needed and options for providing light, moisture and nutrients so that your seedlings will emerge.

Sign up now for this class scheduled for Saturday, January 18, 2014 at the Rockwall County Extension Office located at 915 E. Whitmore Street, Suite B.  The class will be held from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. and the registration fee is $15.  Pre-registration is required and is limited to 20 participants.  A minimum number of participants must be paid and pre-registered by 5 p.m. Wednesday, January 15.   The class will be cancelled and money refunded if not enough participants have paid and pre-registered.

The $15 registration fee will cover speakers’ expenses, class materials and handouts.  You can pay and preregister by mail or by delivering your completed registration form and class fee to the Rockwall County Extension Office, 915 Whitmore, Suite B, Rockwall, Texas  75087.  For more information call the Extension Office at 972-204-7660.  A registration form and complete details are also available on the Master Gardener website at rockmga.org.

Submitted by Shelly Spearman, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service & Rockwall County Road & Bridge.

To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.

Please click here to LIKE our Facebook page, so we can reach more people with good news like this!

  2014, gardening series, Rockwall County Master Gardeners, starting with seeds