Starting plants from seed opens a world of possibilities to gardeners of all skill levels. Many vegetables, annual flowers, and even perennial plants can be started from seed using a few basic supplies and easy-to-master techniques. This can be an economical way to fill garden space and enjoy a much wider variety of plants than you could find in any nursery. In this course, horticulturist Niki Jabbour will share tips and tricks from her decades of starting seeds. After covering the basics, she will delve into more advanced topics such as timing and stratification. Participants will learn about which tools and supplies the pros recommend to make seed-starting easier, and how to set up a simple DIY lighting system. Build your gardening skills and enjoy the satisfying feeling of growing plants from scratch with this fun, fast-paced course.

You’ll get advice on:

· Which seeds to start indoors versus outdoors

· How to get the timing right

· The ins and outs of building your own seed-starting setup

· In-depth lighting instructions (including LED insights)

· Mixing custom seed-starting soil mixes

· Hardening off and planting out

· Troubleshooting techniques for when things go wrong

Lesson 1

The course begins with a list of the many reasons to start your own seeds. Then Niki will walk you through which types of seeds are best started indoors, how to get the timing of seed-starting right, and which equipment you’ll need to get set up for seedling success. Not all equipment is created equal, so Niki will explain the pros and cons of various products and offer some instructions on DIY options to save money on your seed-starting operation.

Lesson 2

This class features a step-by-step guide on how to sow your seeds and then how to care for them once they germinate. This includes making lighting adjustments, fertilizing, and developing ideal watering habits. And because things sometimes go wrong, Niki will cover some of the misfortunes that can befall your plants. Is it a magnesium deficiency, or just lighting that is too strong? You’ll find out with an in-depth problem-solution segment.

Lesson 3

Once you have healthy seedlings, it is time to learn how to harden them off and get them ready to move outdoors. Niki will explain how best to protect your seedlings from transplant shock and offer tips on avoiding pest and disease problems. In this final class, she will also cover winter sowing, an innovative technique for starting seeds outdoors and expanding your growing season far beyond the spring and summer months.

Meet Your Instructor

Niki Jabbour is the award-winning author of four books: The Year-Round Vegetable Gardener, Groundbreaking Food Gardens, Veggie Garden Remix, and Growing Under Cover. She is a rare two-time winner of the prestigious American Horticultural Society Book Award and a frequent lecturer for various horticultural institutions around North America. Niki is a contributor to numerous publications, including Fine Gardening. She was also the host and executive producer of a popular radio show, The Weekend Gardener, for 15 years and is now the garden expert on Canada’s CBC Radio. When she’s not writing, speaking, or broadcasting about food gardening, Niki is harvesting vegetables year-round from her 3,000-square-foot urban garden in Halifax, Nova Scotia.