The Seed Packet… Flip It Over, Find A Plethora Of Knowledge and Information…

Tonkadale has a wide variety of flower and vegetable seeds as well as seed starting supplies to get you growing this spring.

We carry seeds from:

• Botanical Interests
• Seed Savers
• Livingston Seeds

At Tonkadale, you will find a nice selection of Organic and Conventional Seeds as well as your favorite Hybrids and Heirlooms. 

Botanical Interests and Seed Savers have great resources on their websites. Visit these sites to get started.

  

Check Out...

Starting Seeds Indoors
Created by University of Minnesota Extension Horticulture

About Seed Starting

Depending on what you are growing, there are different guidelines for sowing seeds indoors.  Follow the directions on the seed packet for sowing and planting out dates. Usually these dates correspond with the last frost date in your area. In the Twin Cities/Metro Area, the last average frost date is May 15th.

Example: 

• Sow crops like Tomatoes and Peppers indoors...
  6 weeks before the last average frost date. 
• Sow crops like Cucumbers and Squash indoors...
  4 weeks before the last average frost date.  
• Plant Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Squash transplants outdoors
  when the soil is warm and the night time temperatures are consistently
  above 45° F… 2 weeks after the last average frost date.

Heirlooms vs. Hybrids…

Hybrid seeds are commonly defined as seed that is produced from cross-pollinating plants chosen for their superior genetic traits. Hybrids are bred to improve the characteristics of the resulting plants, such as better yield, greater uniformity, improved color, disease resistance, and so forth. Hybrid seed cannot be saved, as the seed from the first generation of Hybrid plants does not reliably produce true copies.

The definition of the use of the word Heirloom to describe plants is highly debated. A true Heirloom is a cultivar that has been nurtured, selected, and handed down from one generation to another for many generations. They are also open pollinated varieties that are bred and stabilized using classic breeding practices.  Many Heirloom vegetables have kept their traits through many generations through open pollination.

The Seed Starting Tips

• Soil
• Containers
• Drainage & Airflow
• Light
• Temperature
• Water
• Fertilizer
• Hardening Off

Soil
It is best to start seeds in a well drained germination mix. 

Tonkadale carries a very light and sterile mix that contains vermiculite and perlite to promote water retention, drainage and aeration.

Containers
The sky is the limit when it comes to seed starting containers. 

You can make your own out of:

• Toilet paper rolls
• Newspaper
• Plastic lettuce containers
• Yogurt cups, etc...

…just check out your recycling bin.

Many types of containers are also available
to purchase at Tonkadale:

• Plastic pots and containers
• Rice-hull pots
• Many varieties of biodegradable pots

.

Drainage & Airflow
To ensure success… make sure your pots and containers have adequate drainage. Good drainage and proper airflow promote healthy seedlings and prevent disease. 

Light
In general, bright light is required for germination and seedling growth. However, there are a few crops that need complete darkness to germinate. A common example is lettuce seeds. Check your seed packet for germination light requirements. Once the seeds have germinated, provide bright light close to the height of the seedling. This promotes strong, sturdy growth and limits stretching. 

Temperature
Seeds need warm soil temperatures to germinate.  65° F- 75° F is the general range. Again, check-out your seed packets for detailed temperature information. Many seed starting enthusiasts provide bottom heat when starting seeds, others rely on the ambient heat from heaters and radiators. 

Water
Moisture and humidity are important to seed starting success.  When seeds are germinating, increased humidity is required. Cover containers with plastic wrap or a plastic cover to increase the humidity next to the soil.  As soon as the seed germinates, remove the plastic wrap.Water frequently to keep moisture levels high, but be careful not to flood out seeds and seedlings. 

Fertilizer
After the first true leaves develop, it is time to start fertilizing your seedlings. Use a half-strength liquid fertilizer regimen on a weekly basis at this time.

Hardening Off
Before seedlings can be planted outdoors, they need to be hardened off, or acclimated to direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. It is best to do this over a three-day period by placing them in direct sunlight during the morning of the first day, then increasing their time outside by a few hours each day until they are vigorous enough to be transplanted.

Hardening Off
Before seedlings can be planted outdoors, they need to be hardened off, or acclimated to direct sunlight and fluctuating temperatures. It is best to do this over a three-day period by placing them in direct sunlight during the morning of the first day, then increasing their time outside by a few hours each day until they are vigorous enough to be transplanted.