= Seed Propagation =

In 2012, seed propagation was an experiment in failure. Major problems:

 * Attempted to propagate too many things
 * Attempted to propagate difficult things
 * Used tiny cells to start, waited too long to transplant many, killed several during transplantation/pruning.
 * Using an air duct as a reflector hood was only effective at helping to keep them warm. We really need a sheet of mylar or something instead, or nothing.

Things that did work:

 * The seed starting mixture and fertilization regime seemed adequate.
 * Water procedure (fill tray and allow starting mixture to suck it up) worked well.
 * Plastic wrap was indeed adequate for germination. Use less water this time around however.

Possible solutions:

 * Germinate fewer things (probably herbs, a few weird peppers)
 * Have the garden ready early enough to plant things like the melons directly in the beds
 * Use the medium peat/cardboard pots to start a single seed, and instead of thinning later accept that a few will not survive hardening off.

== Process ==

 0. Staring mixture: 1 part vermiculite, 1 part perlite, 1 part spaghum peat moss
    * 3 Tbsp lime (antifungal properties?) when 1 part = 1 gallon
 0. Fill peat trays 1/2-3/4 full with mixture
 0. Put one seed per pot to minimize effort at transplantation time
 0. Cover to the recommended planting depth
 0. Fill drainage tray with 3 quarts water (overfilled the first with a gallon, underfilled the second with two quarts, three seems to be enough to keep everything properly moist)
 0. Insert and mark seedling trays with business cards (variety + planting date + # of seeds/cell + expected germination date)
 0. Wrap the whole thing up in plastic wrap and wait

== Equipment ==

 * 7 drainage trays capable of holding 5x10 cell paper/peat starter cell pots (I'm going for easy transplantation here) (GT,,n,, = Germination Tray N, ST,,n,, = Seedling Tray N)
 * [[http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100010588/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053|Storage rack]] for seedlings and germination trays

== Seeds to Acquire ==

For 2013, it's probably too late now.

Marigolds, yarrow, potatoes?

== Available Seed ==

 * German Chamomile
 * Dill
 * Yellow Summer Crookneck Squash
 * White Lisbon Bunching Onions
 * Longstanding Cilantro
 * Early Scarlet Globe Radish
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1347|Yellow of Parma Onion]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=394|Borettana Yellow Onion]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=350|Romanesco Broccoli]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=112%28OG%29|Parade Cucumber]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=46%28OG%29|Five  Color Silverbeet Swiss Chard]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=607|Christmas Lima Bean]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1024|SSE Lettuce Mixture]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=245%28OG%29|Waltham Butternut Squash]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=927|Early Hanover Melon]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=40%28OG%29|Amish Melon]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=645%28OG%29|Aurora Pepper]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=269|Anise]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=462|Cumin]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=1289|Sunflower Mixture]]
 * [[http://www.seedsavers.org/Details.aspx?itemNo=269|Spider Flower Mix]]