There are some vegetables that cannot be seeded directly into the garden here in Truckee because of our short growing season. Tomatoes and peppers are examples. They should be started inside in late March and need 8-10 weeks of growth before transplanting outside. Other frost hardy vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower, are often stronger and aphid free when started indoors. Mid-March is also a good time to start them so that they are ready for transplanting into the garden in mid to late May. Squash, cucumbers, small pumpkins and corn (Early Sunglow) can be started inside in early May for transplanting outside in mid June. Corn is usually transplanted into one-gallon cans in early June and brought inside at night. In early July it can be transplanted into 15-gallon cans and watched closely for frost or planted into a greenhouse.

Many vegetable seeds are better planted directly into the soil outside when soil and air temperatures are warm enough. These include radishes, peas, beans, carrots, beets chard, lettuce and spinach.

Containers for seed starting range from milk cartons cut in half, cottage cheese and margarine tubs, paper cups to plastic seedling trays, peat pots and pellets. Holes should be punched in the bottoms of home-scavenged containers so that proper drainage can occur. The seed-starting medium needs to be sterile, porous and light. Store bought mixes usually contain peat moss and vermiculite. These mixes should be carefully moistened. Be conservative with water at first to avoid fungus from becoming established.

Most seeds should be planted about 1/4 inch deep. The seed container should not be placed in direct sunlight. Tomato and pepper seeds require 60 to 70 degree temperatures for germination. An electrical heat mat placed underneath them is a great help. Broccoli and cauliflower seeds require 50-60 degree temperatures and do not need a heat mat.

When seedlings first appear, they should be exposed to light so that they will not become leggy. Place plants in south facing windows and turn them everyday or use fluorescent grow lights placed 4-5 inches above them. If lights are used change the elevation as the seedlings grow so that they will not be burned. At first seedlings can take continuous fluorescent light but after 2 weeks it should be reduced to 14 hours per day.
Lightly touch the seedlings with your hand several times a day to help develop strong stems. A fan, timed to come on several times a day will also gently move the stems.

As seedlings produce their first true leaves, they should be lightly fertilized with a good liquid organic fertilizer once a week. They should be thinned if necessary and transplanted into individual containers.

When plants are ready to be transplanted outdoors, either into containers or the ground, they need to be hardened off. Start by putting them in bright shade and each day giving them more direct light. They should also be gradually left out at night with light cover. It is very important to watch night time temperatures in Truckee. One night without frost protection can quickly be the end for tender plants without frost protection.