Outdoor+Seed+Starting

=Planting Seedlings Outdoors= Prepare planting area with necessary season extension materials (see tutorial here). To determine the proper seed depth, follow the directions on the back of the seed packet. Retain seed packets for later reference. Place vegetable label and label of each student who planted the seeds to avoid disturbing the space until the seeds sprout. Water lightly and thoroughly with a watering can. For dormant outdoor cycle, plant spinach and other cold hardy greens. Plant seeds in October or November, depending on the weather, to get established before hard freeze. Mulch heavily; allow dormancy during December, January, February, and March. Remove heavy mulch in March, April, or May. Record planting dates on the calendar.

Check the garden regularly, and use a rain gauge to monitor rain amounts. Gently examine the soil at the “root zone” (away from the seedling stem) to see if there is moisture as deep as the root zone of the seedling. Allow the surface to dry out between watering; keep the area of the root zone moist, not sopping wet. If row covers are installed, choose a sunny, windless day to lift portions of the row cover to water the bed below. The “rule of thumb” when watering is to try to give plants about one inch of water per week. Keep in mind that regular amounts of water and regular watering days and times will nurture plants; whereas irregular amounts of water and irregular watering days and times can stress plants.
 * Maintaining proper moisture for seedlings and transplants:**

Sunshine, sunshine, sunshine! Warm season vegetables thrive with 8 – 10 hours of sunlight; cool season vegetables require a minimum of six hours sunlight. Be sure to check the temperature under weather protection materials to ensure it’s NOT TOO HOT! Plants can die just as easily from too much heat as they can from too little.
 * Maintaining proper light:**