I AM SOWING MY FIRST SEEDS other than onions about now—Brussels sprouts and broccoli today, with tomato-sowing time just ahead here at mid-month—with a comforting, luscious copy of Ken Druse’s just-released paperback edition of “Making More Plants” by my side. Maybe you’d like a copy, too, so I bought two to give away, and meantime, I’m sharing some of Ken’s advice on preventing that most dreaded of seed-starting mishaps: the fungal killer called damping off.
Like all of Ken’s 18 books (!!!), “Making More Plants: The Science, Art and Joy of Propagation” is rich in instruction, but also visually arresting, since he’s an award-winning photographer, too. It covers the botany of propagation—the why’s behind how you can make more plants of a particular species sexually or asexually or both—because as Ken says:
“It is not essential to learn about botany to garden well; it’s inevitable.”
Then in words and intimate pictures he covers virtually every tactic for doing so, from seed-sowing to leaf and root cuttings, to layering, grafting, division and more. The photos are so beautiful, and Ken’s obvious enthusiasm so evident on every page, that I want to try everything. (Just what I need: more plants!)
But trying to be timely and topical, I asked Ken for his most popular seed-starting tip—which he said without hesitation was how to prevent damping off. It’s all in the poultry grit, you see:
How Ken Druse Prevents Damping Off
(By Ken)
A LOT OF PEOPLE have trouble with damping off, the fungal diseases that attack seedlings. I do not use potentially toxic fungicide. Instead (like alpine plant people do), I fill pots to the brim with sowing medium (recipe below), tamp that down, sow and sprinkle on a little more medium to cover the seeds followed by a thin layer of fine chicken grit or very coarse sand.
Flaked granite chicken grit (“starter” is the finest grade for small seeds) is available at all agricultural supply stores. It is inexpensive but comes in large and heavy bags. Perhaps you can get some friends to share the lifetime supply you’ll get for about ten bucks, but it can also be used as a potting soil amendment for improving drainage. (I used to be able to substitute parakeet gravel, but lately the product seems to have changed and is no longer simply very coarse sand.)
Filling the pots to the brim reduces the area where air might be trapped along with pathogens. The inert grit is an inhospitable material for fungal growth.
I sow most seeds in very clean, 3.5-inch square pots, from 6 to 60 seeds or more, depending on their size. Fewer seeds if big (squash, for instance), more if small (flowering tobacco). Cover the seeds to a depth equal to their thickness (Nicotiana and seeds that need light to germinate get no extra medium).
Recipe: The medium can be a store-bought, peat-based sowing preparation with the addition of grit or perlite to “open it up” a bit–improve the drainage–since regular sowing media tend to get waterlogged. The medium can be around 20% grit or perlite.
“I usually use sifted coir (coconut hull fiber– available as compressed blocks from mail-order garden suppliers and better garden centers) and perlite, or sifted compost with perlite. I place compost or any questionably clean seed-sowing medium in a store-bought roasting bag in a microwave-safe pan and zap it for approximately 10 minutes on full power until an instant-read thermometer plunged into the center registers around 160 degrees F.
Be careful opening the bag in case there might be a cloud of steam.
After sowing, I water the seeds from the bottom by placing their pots in a shallow pan of water until the grit on top changes color–from white to gray. The pots may not need watering again until after they are up and growing.
Where to Find Ken and His Books
- Ken will be speaking about winning plant combinations in my town (Copake Falls, NY) on Aug. 18, 2012, when my garden is also open for tours. Details.
- He’ll also be doing a plant-propagation workshop here that afternoon. Details.
- Visit Ken’s website, Ken Druse [dot] com
- Order “Making More Plants” now
- Listen to/subscribe to Ken’s weekly “Real Dirt” podcast
How to Win ‘Making More Plants’
TO ENTER TO WIN A COPY of “Making More Plants,” simply comment below, answering the question: What seeds are you sowing indoors (or out) this spring, and what seeds have given you the hardest time in the past?
I know–some of you are shy (or aren’t sowing anything!) so in those cases just say, “Count me in!” and you’ll be entered for the random drawing. My answer: Besides the Brussels sprouts I mentioned, I’m going to give broccoli another try this year–those will be among my first indoors sowings.
I’ll pick a winner after entries close at midnight Sunday, April 8. Good luck to all–with the contest, and with this year’s seed-sowing adventures.
(Photos courtesy of Ken Druse, from “Making More Plants.”)
Count me in!
This would be the first year that I have started my plants indoors. I started, celery, cabbage, 9 kinds of tomatoes, broccoli. I had moderate success. I have since transplanted it all into the garden, and am proud to say, 90 percent has made it thru the rabbits, hail and birds. But now comes the warm weather, and everything is thriving.
Please count me in.
Not starting seeds cuz they all die off. Need help!
We started a lot of tomatoes by seed inside, them moved the plants outside. For some reason last year anyway, they didn’t do well at all. The ones we did NOT raise from seed were very prolific. I guess I need this book to learn what I did wrong.
We have started tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. We have had problems with growing some herbs indoors especially rosemary. Which is sad because rosemary is so good. :)
I am sowing in doors some Basil and Tomatoes so far. The seeds that have given me the hardest time in the past are: Hollyhocks, I do not have much success transplanting them into the garden. Could use some help as I really do want to have them!
Oh how I would love to add a Druse book (free!) to the many big glossy hardbacks I have purchased by this indispensible author! ANd to anyone reading comments – do go buy if you dont win and DO buy at your local book shop – Amazon is big and bad enough already! ANyway……I find that datura are not all that easy to start from seed – so strange because they sometimes self sow around my deck from the pots!
I’d love Ken Druse’s book as I lost my first attempt at growing broccoli from seed. 2nd batch doing better.. I’m presently growing chives, tall ageratum,.snapdragons,,rose mallow and cleome. .
Count me in!
I will be seeding a bit of everything, annuals, and perennials. Ken’s book looks amazing.
I’ve already transplanted my first indoor seedlings: Swiss Chard – Fordhook, Bok Choy Tatsoi, Bok Choy White Stem, Spinach Mustard Tendergreen, Kohlrabi, Broccoli di Cicco, Chinese Cabbage Wong Bok, Cauliflower (Chef’s mix), Cabbage Early Golden Acre, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage Red Acre, Chinese Kale Kailaan, and Collards – Georgia Southern. Now that those are out of the way and in the garden boxes, I just started my tomatoes, eggplants and peppers inside under grow lamps. I’ve got too many tomato plants to name, but a few of the most interesting ones are: Indigo Rose (high anthocyanin), Prudens Purple, Black Krim, Red Siberian, Abraham Lincoln, Mortgage Lifter, Speckled Roma and Reisentraube. I don’t know what I was thinking growing so many, but I’ll have plenty to give away! The sweet peppers are Jimmy Nardello, Topepo Rosso, Melrose, and several varieties of Bell peppers. The hot peppers are Kung Pao, Chile Verge, Ancho/Poblano, Leutschauer Paprika, Jalapeno, Anaheim, Cayenne and Serrano. I’ve recently gotten into Indian cooking, so wanted to have a variety of hot peppers to select from. The eggplants this year include Pingtung Long, Bangladeshi and Aswad (the last two from Baker Creek seeds). I also planted tomatillos – Cisneros Grande and Giant Cape Gooseberry. Not sure if that last one is really a tomatillo, but it is in the same family, and the seeds look the same. I also am experimenting with ping banana (also from Baker Creek) and jicama. I haven’t thought about the direct seeded plants for the summer, but there will be plenty of squash and beans. Every year, I end up planting more and more, and keep adding more boxes. Maybe some day, I won’t have to depend on the market for my fresh veggies. Thanks for all of our great information – I’m loving it!
Hello, Margaret.
I live just South of Buffalo, NY. I started seeds this spring outdoors on February 9 in ‘re-purposed’ plastic milk jugs, that are cut , and then twist-tied back together to make cloches: Radish ‘Sparkler’, and Lupine ‘Russell hybrids mix’ . In a re-purposed rotisserie chicken container: lettuce ‘spicy mesclun mix’. In a re-purposed clear-plastic organic egg carton: radish ‘sparkler’ – 1 seed per egg cup. These containers are very successful! One of the most difficult experiments [and most disappointing!] was to start carnivorous plant seeds…. Venus’ flytrap, Sarracenia, and sundew. Their little sowing containers [deli containers] had to be stratified in my refrigerator for six months. The seeds were nestled in moist paper towel packets that had to be sprayed with sulphur for protection from fungal diseases. So, I wait until the following March, sow the seeds in a combination of peat moss and perlite ….and wait….and wait….and wait. I think it was maybe June 1st before there was discernible evidence of any seedlings. Out of 4 packets of seeds – I was able to get 2 Sarracenia leucophylla. This was a few years back…the last one did not make it through it’s dormant period this Spring – so sad! Another seed-starting ‘stumper’ involved lotus pod seeds, sticky mud…mason jars, water…and aquarium heaters… this experiment was slightly more successful…. I’m hoping Ken’s book will guide me to better results!
Hi Margaret:
I’m a newcomer to your blog, and love it! I am sowing tomatoes (of course!), and am doing lots of different new heirloom kinds this year, including red and yellow brandywine, Abe Lincoln, and Japanese Black Trifele. Also carrots, onions (sets), radishes, beets, lettuces, peas, and lots of edible flowers. I’m also working at a farm this summer, so I’ll be sowing A LOT of different veggies there! Besides the above: potatoes, kohlrabi, cabbages, spinach, tons of greens, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, eggplant, beans, mellons, pumpkins etc. Granted we cheat a little and use a manual seeder for many, but many more were started lovingly by hand, and are living in our hoop house awaiting transplanting, which will be done in 100′ rows by hand. I am new to urban farming, and this book would be a great primer and would definitely help in making me a better seed starter.
Thanks, and happy spring!
Count me in!!!!! I will only be planting seeds of annual flowers this year – due to an unusual spring.
this year I’ve got tomatoes, peppers, cilantro and i’m trying a couple of new flowers this year, borage and bee balm. for some reason, peppers are my problem seeds; they always seem to get “fuzzy” instead of growing. But I’ll keep trying! Ken’s book could only help!
We had a “seed exchange” party in my town last month; I came away with some
goodies like purple caulifower, long beans, and anise hyssop.
so far I have started the cauliflower, bell and hot peppers, anise hyssop and four
types of basil. Peas and sweet peas are planted in the garden.
I will soon be starting tomatoes, asters, snapdragons indoors, as well as radishes, scallions and various greens outside.
count me in!
I know this will sound crazy to some. But nastursiums (sp) have given me the hardest time sowing. I direct sow in my full sun garden but only half or less ever sprout. I know the seed is hard and I do soak overnite. But still. I have heard scoring them will help but alas, I seldom if ever do this. I simple love this edible flower and I just end up not having them. Why?, oh why?
I’ve planted tomatoes, peppers, and many flowers in the house in preparation for planting outside. My downfall is getting blueberry seeds and peony seeds to sprout. As far as damping off, as much as possible I try to water from the bottom.
I’m focusing mainly on uncommon varieties of tomatoes and peppers. Have had a bit of difficulty with peppers, but it often seems they just have a very long germination time. (as long as six weeks in some cases) Also trying to start some gorgeous, light-yellow hollyhocks I admired at the entry of a local public garden last year. I think they’ll be beautiful rising at the back of a mass-planting of purple salvia.
Geeze, 368 comments. Fat chance. Oh well. I started seeds for first time and got damping off on blue sage, salvia azurea, which hummers love in the fall. Should have taken off the dome when they germinated and NOT have watered from above and turned off the heat pad and turned on the fan.
I haven’t started many seeds in the last few years, but this year I have a glasshouse/greenhouse/studio. This has refired my desire to start seeds and take cuttings, regardless whether I know what I am doing or not! So clearly, I NEED the book.
this is my first attempt at starting plants indoors and it’s been frustrating to realize how much i don’t know. i’ve started broccoli, lettuce, cauliflower, horsemint, lambs ears, broadleaf sage, parsley, pink muhly grass, thyme, echinacea, stocks, gaillardia, sweet marjoram & lemon basil. i’ve had all sorts pop up and then die – and i have no idea why, some shriveled, some got moldy, some just vanished. i’ve been carrying them outside to a plastic covered shelf in the day & back in to our bedroom onto a heating mat (away from cats, dog, kids) at night. i’ve been carefully misting with water several times a day to keep moist. i have no idea what i’m doing wrong. , i’ve removed soil and repotted for the second time and have already had one more broccoli pop up and die! argh! the weather is not cooperatng for the outside bed either, have had to replant radishes & several other things that first got broiled in the heatwave and then frozen in the cold snap that followed. good thing i’m stubborn – but, oh, how i wish i had an experienced gardener friend (a gardener friend!) to get some advice from!
Count me in! I have harvested seed from tomatoes, and peppers, looking to do the same this year and include beans. Produce from the tomatoes and peppers was not sufficient, but I thought it had more to do with the weather than the seed. Propagation is one of my passions and would love to have a book that would help me grow from seed!
I’ve got lots of seeds going already. I have all but given up on parsley though. I always have problems starting that. And in years past, I’ve had a very hard time starting eggplant. This year though, my eggplant seedlings are doing wonderful!
I am trying tomatoes and peppers for the second time. I thought I was following internet instructions to the letter but I lost them all the first time. I’m guessing too much water. I would hope that winning this very informaative book would boost my knowledge and prevent more losses. Thank you for the consideration. :)
I’ve started heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, peppers along with morning glories, sunflowers , lupines, and lavender!
I have sewn seeds of 12 different Heirloom tomatoes, squash, peppers, watermelon, pumpkins, herbs, cucumbers and many annuals. Most of the problems that I have encountered are probably due to overwatering.
I have already started tomotoes. I want to try some perennial flowers from seed also
Count me in please. I am sowing purple bell vine this spring with many others and have bad the hardest time with the begonia bonfires this year and in the past.
I have already started my seeds indoors! I have a mini greenhouse that I keep them in. I have tomatoes, cucumbers,watermelon,brocolli,peppers and many more I will be planting it in a raised bed that I am putting together.
We have started watermelons and tomatoes so far!
We always seem to have lots of problems to get primrose to sprout!
Thanks!!
I”m sowing kale and lemon balm right now. I haven’t had too much trouble once we got a grow-light kit, but my leafy greens (kale, etc) never seem to take off even while my tomatoes and garlic do great. I wish I could figure that out–seems like I should have the opposite problem!
lettuce,swiss chard, tomatoes, peppers and more
Count me in. Nasturtiums have given me problems in the past but most other seeds jump up pretty well. Love taking cuttings and getting new plants.
count me in!!!
I was just inventorying seeds today to see what we can squeeze into this rented back yard and a new community garden spot! Looks like spinach, lettuce, and greens out on the porch to start. What a beautiful book and a generous giveaway. Happy sowing!
Lupines give me a hard time- they sprout but end up dying when I transfer them outside. :(
This is our first year trying to start seedlings inside, and they’re not growing. We tried broccoli, romanescu cauliflower, and onions. I could definitely use this book!!
I’m going out to buy some seeds tomorrow. Don’t know what, just in case I win. Gotta start somewhere, cannot stay a blog reader all my life. However, I do so much enjoy your blog Margaret. Daisy Marshall in S Fla.
I started Echinacea, Salvia, Galliardia, Agastache and Hot poker- so far so good!
ENTRIES ARE NOW CLOSED, but you may continue to join the conversation and comment anytime.
And the winners are: Jayne and Bee Girl. Congratulations. Thanks to all of your eager seed-sowers for your entries, and another giveaway coming up soon.
I’m tackling a bunch this year: tomato, green pepper, crookneck, zucchini, cantaloupe, zinnia, calendula. This is really the first time I’ve started seeds indoors. Last year I did try broccoli and cauliflower…they seemed to germinate fine but I didn’t have much luck after they were transplanted (but that had to do with my total garden meltdown rather than how these got started…don’t ask).
I am getting ready to start some farkleberry seeds that I collected while hiking last fall. Fingers crossed!
In the past, I have tried to sow Nicotiana ‘Sylvestris’ with little luck. My local greenhouse told me that this seed takes 3 months to germinate so I leave the work to him and now buy his plants in the spring.
I haven’t sown anything this year, finished teaching this week. But do count me in.
Count me in!! I love your blog!
Oh! What a summer! All the seeds i sowed ( is that a word, it sounds funny right now) were mostly FRIED by our hot weather and no rain…. Until a week ago, and we have had close to 8 inches Ina week, so, the few seeds managing to scramble up through the dirt after the rain started, were quickly washed downstream. Oh yeah! Any my crazy puppy thinks its fun to pull seedlings out with his front teeth. So, no seeds this year… How can it be that thisbyear’s summer is almost over???
“Count me in!”
I have tried to grow tomatoes from seed planted indoors. I’d like to try some native plants like Physaria or ground cherries and passion flower.