The Saratoga Farmers’ Market continues to serve the community on Saturdays at the Wilton Mall through April. Beginning Wednesday, May 1, it transitions to the outdoor season and expands to provide access to fresh produce and locally produced goods on Wednesdays and Saturdays at High Rock Park in downtown Saratoga Springs.
It’s also time to start thinking about spring gardening! If you like to garden or simply tend a tomato plant or two, we recently chatted with vendor Mark Bascom, co-owner of Owl Wood Farm, about growing from seed.
Is now a good time to plant from seed?
Yes, now is the perfect time to start seeding lettuce, bok choy, kale, chards, tomatoes, and peppers. Try to plan planting from seed one month before transplanting outside; the small trays, which are only 1 1/2 inches, are designed to host your seedlings for that length of time. Johnny’s Seed Catalog is a good resource for germinating various plant varieties.
What kind of soil is best?
We purchase composted soil in bulk for the farm, but you should talk to your local nursery. The right soil depends on the nutrients and drainage. Remember that sometimes you may need to add nutrients, like Neptune’s Harvest, to your watering process as needed.
What are your suggestions for watering?
Before germination, spritzing the seeds gently with a spray bottle is important. Don’t let the soil dry out; keeping it moist is important. Once the seeds have sprouted, they typically like a light rain. It depends on your watering can/system, but you can use a plastic water bottle with pin holes to keep your plants watered gently. It’s a delicate balance, and airflow is important because you don’t want them to develop any fungus or mold.
What about heat and light?
Heating mats and artificial lighting can be helpful. You can use other warm places like a windowsill or the top of a refrigerator. The trick is that you don’t want the seedlings too hot or too cold. It’s a process and a balance. Remember that you need to lower the temperature once the germination process has been completed while increasing airflow.
Growing takes experience, and knowledgeable growers at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market are always happy to encourage farm-to-table conversations.
The Saratoga Farmers’ Market is open on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Wilton Mall Food Court, accessible from the mall entrance across from BJs or the mall interior. Find us online at www.saratogafarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
