How to Start Seeds—Part 1
By Jodi Torpey
Spring is in the air and gardeners can’t wait to get their hands in the soil. Now’s the time to start the seeds for the plants you want to grow this summer.
The first step in starting seeds indoors can be difficult. With so many seeds to choose from, how do you decide which ones to plant?
- Look for high-quality seeds from a reliable source.
- Check each seed packet to ensure it was packaged for the current season.
- Make sure the packet gives complete planting information (when to plant, how to space seeds and number of days to germination and/or days to maturity).
- Choose seeds that match our region’s growing season.
- Select the plants you have space for and will enjoy growing and using.
Denver metro area gardeners have an easier time than other gardeners. We’re lucky to have several seed companies practically out our backdoor. BBB Seeds, Botanical Interests and Lake Valley Seed Company are all located in the Boulder area.
BBB Seeds is a family-owned seed company that started in 1985, and is now led by Mike Wade (pictured stocking the rack at Nick’s). The BBB in the company’s name stands for Beauty Beyond Belief, and the tagline is “Grow, Enjoy and Share.”
In addition to heirloom vegetable seeds, BBB specializes in wildflower seeds, especially pollinator mixes. The company offers tips on its website for ways to attract more pollinators, especially bees, to your landscape.
Customers appreciate the company’s commitment to high-quality, open-pollinated and non-GMO seeds.
Botanical Interests is another family-owned Colorado seed company, started by Curtis Jones and Judy Seaborn in 1995. The seed packets are known for the beautiful botanical illustrations on the front and the detailed information contained inside each packet.
Botanical Interests offers a wide assortment of vegetable, herb and flower seeds, including many organic and heirloom varieties. There are also a number of seed collections, taking some of the guesswork out of seed selecting.
The company has signed the Safe Seed Pledge, making the guarantee to its customers that it does not buy, sell or trade GMO seeds or plants.
Lake Valley Seed Company is also located in the Boulder area and is pleased to have been “growing your garden since 1985.” Lake Valley started small, but is now offers a full-line of non-GMO herb, vegetable and flower seeds for gardens of all types.
The seed line includes a large selection of heirloom and organic offerings. Lake Valley has added new items to its catalog, like milkweed seed for attracting Monarch butterflies and a line of organic sprouting seeds.
With so many options for seeds to choose from, seeds from any of these dependable seed companies are sure to provide a good start to this gardening season.
