From my garden to yours

With the start of Florida's garden year on hand, now is the time to start seedlings as transplants for our gardens. Starting our own transplants has several advantages, some far greater than economic. Our harsh growing conditions, resulting from a combination of rain, sun, heat, sandy soil and a busy schedule, lend themselves to planting our gardens with established seedlings.

Garden crop selections available as a retail purchase seem to diminish every year.

Although transplants can be bought mail order delivered next day air, it's just not the same as perusing a hole-in-the-wall nursery center's eclectic inventory. Many nursery centers that do offer transplants offer the same product grown at a seedling factory in another climate zone. Lavender is a crop that just won't grow well in Central Florida, but I see the same lavender seedlings at retail garden centers all over town. Starting my own transplants gives me the opportunity to start the much broader selection of seeds available.

The price of transplants has gone up remarkably over the last few years. Where I previously could buy a six- or nine-cell pack, now one single larger plant sells for the same price. One trick I use to save money on plants is at the grocery produce department, which sell 4-inch herb plants made up of numerous sprouts such as parsley, dill, basil or thyme. Gently separate each sprout and carefully replant it into a larger pot.

Swap transplants with gardening friends, at garden club meetings or at a community garden. At the Organic Gardening Club or Herb Society of Central Florida meetings held at Leu Gardens I leave with numerous transplants every time.

Potting soil should not be overly rich in plant nutrients such as compost, fertilizer or manures. Loosen potting soil with perlite — the white, puffed quartz that allows soil to drain excess moisture. In nature, plants always reproduce in excess. Translate this trait by dropping a few extra seeds. A cafeteria tray is an easy way to manage numerous 4-inch pots. Find a protected, bright location to germinate your seeds. Until the transplants are strong enough, keep them safe from a pounding rain.

Starting your own plants from seed is an important aspect of our relationship with our world. The leap from a tiny seed, through the miracle of germination, to food on our table should leave us in awe. Maybe the simplicity of the act or the absence of the alternatives keeps us blissfully unaware. This value obtained from gardening needs to be respected from this humble beginning.