Ask a Master Gardener: Seeds can be started indoors this month

Q. For several years I've bought a couple tomato and pepper plants for container gardening. This year I would like to start a larger garden and economize by growing plants from seed. Garden centers now have all their packets of seed displayed. When should I plant the seeds so plants are ready to transplant at the end of May?

A. Mid-March to late April is the time to get your warm season vegetable plants started. Tomatoes and peppers can be transplanted to the garden after the last frost date in this area; usually between May 15 and June 10. To avoid late frost damage, transplant outdoors toward the latter part of May. Check seed packet for time to start plants.

Tomatoes and peppers usually should be started from 6-10 weeks before the last frost. The best time to put the plants into the garden is when the nighttime temperature is consistently above 50 degrees and the soil temperature is 65 degrees.

Q. I have some tomato and pepper seeds left from packets I bought last year. Will they grow this year?

A. It is likely your seeds are still viable. Many vegetable seeds are good for three to four years if they were stored in a dry and cool environment. Testing the rate of seed germination is an interesting activity for the entire family.

Test your seeds for viability by doing the following:

ŸLayer two or three paper towels and mist them with water.

ŸPlace 10-15 seeds on the moist towel.

ŸCover with a couple more misted towels.

ŸPut the “seed blanket” in a plastic bag perforated with holes to allow

for air circulation and place the bag in a dark, warm place.

ŸCheck the paper towels daily and mist if needed to keep them moist.

ŸMost seeds begin to germinate in one to two weeks. Check information on

seed packet.

ŸCheck the seeds at one week and count and remove any germinated seeds.

ŸAt the end of two weeks count the rest of the germinated seeds.

ŸIf half or more of the total number of seeds sprouted, use the seeds to start plants for this year. Plant more seeds than the number of plants you actually want to ensure sufficient seeds germinate. If the germination rate is less than half of the seeds, buy new seeds for this season.

Ÿ Provided by Mary Boldan, Mary Moisand and Donna Siemro, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Send questions to Ask a Master Gardener, c/o Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 W. Algonquin Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016, (847) 298-3502 or via e-mail to cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.