Have you made your New Year’s resolutions for 2013? Add gardening to the list for positive mental health and physical exercise.
Gardening is a great way to learn about plants and bring people together. Digging, planting and harvesting also yield positive physical activity.
Put aside the fear that you might kill a new plant or the thoughts that you must be successful. A friend loves to say, “Until you have killed a plant at least three times, you do not know how to grow it.”
Instead, focus on enjoying and sharing the process. All ages can learn something new by working together.
Planting seeds indoors is a fairly inexpensive way to start gardening. More garden plants are available in a wider variety of colors and sizes if you start with seed. Spend some time pouring over the pages of seed catalogs or online garden catalogs.
Decide what you want to grow and plan for the best planting time. Many vegetables and flowers can be started from seed. Order your seeds soon so they can be started at the proper time.
Late winter is a great time to dig out old seed packs and see if the seed are still good. The ability of seeds to sprout (germinate) and grow depends on how old they are and how they were stored. A simple germination test can save you time and money.
Place 10 seeds in a moist paper towel and fold or roll the seeds inside. Put the towel and seeds in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Label the bag with the date and seed variety being tested. Leave them in a heated room for about a week.
Check to see how many seed have sprouted. Germination of 80 to 100 percent is good. If six or seven seed sprout, consider sowing these thickly. If five or fewer seed germinate, plan to discard the seed.
Kevin Parris, arboretum director in Spartanburg, S.C., planted a seed in 1991 that led to a new discovery. The seed led him to research Magnolia as a part of his education and work with great professors, researchers and students.
The seed led him to travel to China and create a scholarship for other students. The seed grew into a plant that he named Magnolia grandiflora ‘Kay Parris’ after his mother. Parris believes it is a cross between two Magnolia grandiflora: ‘Little Gem’ and ‘Bracken’s Brown Beauty’.
‘Kay Parris’ has leaves that are narrow, wavy and backed with a deep brown hairy covering. The small tree flowers very early in its life and was brought to North Carolina by Dr. J.C. Raulston in 1994.
Today, ‘Kay Parris’ is known as one of the best cultivars. Planting the seeds from a magnolia changed Kevin Parris’ life.
February is a good time to start sowing seeds indoors of early season greens, such as spinach, lettuce, kale mustard. These plants tolerate cool soil temperatures and will be ready to transplant outdoors in 4 to 6 weeks.
Tender young plants might need some protection until temperatures warm. Herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender seeds also can be started indoors in late February.
Peg Godwin is horticulture agent, Lenoir County Cooperative Extension Center. Reach her at Peg_Godwin@ncsu.edu or 252-527-2191.