Hope Springs Eternal
Seeds to Sow in March
Seeds to Sow in March
I don’t know about you, but I’m living each day more in the moment than ever before. And while that’s always a good thing, I’m discovering there are a lot more uncomfortable moments than comfortable ones lately. I’m deeply practicing how to cultivate calm and hopefulness, while observing and trying to integrate what I’m actually feeling.
Good thing for gardening. Now that we’re getting more sunshine here in Napa County, my garden invites me outdoors to play. What a gift. I receive it fully and count my blessings at season’s tender beginning. Staying humble, kind, and mindful of what I’m grateful for, I can begin again each day.
So if you weren’t aware, we’re about 6-8 weeks before our final frost date (around April 15 or so) in our county and seeds sown now will grow and offer pollinator habitat, beauty, food, and medicine to nourish your growing spaces and you. As you plant your seeds, be sure to protect those young emerging plants (seedlings) from extreme changes in temperature. Cover them with protective, breathable fabric (row cover) or a makeshift cloche (bell jar). Keep indoor seedlings healthy by watering them only after the soil fully dries out ; this will ward off fungus, bacteria, and pests. Pot up seedlings into larger containers as they grow to encourage strong roots.
Here’s a list of which seeds are best to start indoors and outdoors in Zone 9b.
Direct Sow These Seeds
Each of the seeds listed in this section can be planted (“sown”) directly into workable soil at this time in Zone 9b (Napa County’s USDA growing zone designation). Some seeds germinate best with help from sunlight, while others need to be buried deep underneath the soil. Follow the directions on the seed packet, or, using a general rule, plant a seed twice as deep as its widest side (its width or its length). Find out (search online) what particular conditions your seeds need to sprout.
Flowers
borage, calendula, California poppy, cornflower, cosmos, lavender, lupine, nigella, scabiosa, strawflower, sweet peas, wildflower mixes
Veggies
arugula, beets, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celosia, chives, collards, fava bean, kale, leeks, luffa, lettuce, mustard greens, onion, pac choi, peas, radish, spinach
Start These Seeds Indoors
Starting seeds indoors requires some space near a warm, sunny window with enough airflow and early cover for them to thrive. Germinating seeds indoors gives crops like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant an early start, ahead of the danger of frost. Their growth requires warm soil and if you start them inside your home, or greenhouse, or garage shelf set-up (like mine), then you can get healthy young plants (seedlings) right when outdoor conditions are warm enough to receive them. Here’s a video that gives you beginner-level instructions about how to start seeds indoors. No need for fancy equipment, you can find most of what you’ll need at home. Try it!
Flowers
alyssum, columbine, delphinium, echinacea, gaillardia, hollyhock, hyssop, lobelia, lovage, milkweed, tobacco, sunflower, tithonia, viola, yarrow
Herbs
bergamot, catnip, marjoram, mint, rosemary, sage, thyme
Veggies
asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower, celery, fennel (bulb), lettuce, onion, oregano, pepper, tomato
More soon. Meanwhile, let’s keep growing,
