Success StoryStarting the year off starting seeds



Starting the year off starting seeds

Author: Stephen Lewis

Planning Unit: Jefferson County CES

Major Program: Horticulture, Consumer and Home

Plan of Work: Accessing healthy foods & improving local food systems

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The year spring 2021 started off with many people eager to get out of their homes and into their gardens, so it was no surprise that there was a lot of interest in seed starting. Starting transplants from seeds seems like a simple task but there are many nuances that beginning gardeners may overlook and result in less than excellent results.  The University of Louisville Garden Commons group invited Kentucky State University Extension agent Stephen Lewis to conduct a class on seed starting to help gardeners get off to a great start. Gardeners learned how to properly saturate their potting soil with the correct moisture content and fill trays. They learned the basics principles of watering, such as using the proper water dispenser as to not compact the soil and how to determine when to water. Each participant was able to sow trays of their own to take home. Most of the 10 participants either worked or attended U of L, one was even a professor who came on her lunch break. Kyle Post, an attendee, commented that he didn't realize all the small things he was missing when starting his seeds in the past. He has since followed up with agent Lewis to let him know that his seeds have sprouted.  The lesson was live streamed on the Garden Commons' Facebook page and has received over 200 views. Although the first class was postponed due to the snow storm, the weather conditions for this day was perfect for starting seeds.






Stories by Stephen Lewis


Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

about 3 years ago by Stephen Lewis

Microgreens are a new, trendy agricultural product that many people are still not familiar with. Gro... Read More


Starting the year off starting seeds

Starting the year off starting seeds

about 3 years ago by Stephen Lewis

The year spring 2021 started off with many people eager to get out of their homes and into their gar... Read More


Stories by Jefferson County CES


Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

Microgreens: Growing indoor salad in 2 weeks

about 3 years ago by Stephen Lewis

Microgreens are a new, trendy agricultural product that many people are still not familiar with. Gro... Read More


Community Cares Club

Community Cares Club

about 3 years ago by Jessica Marquez

Issues: What is the situation? Who cares and why?In the year 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created man... Read More


Stories by Horticulture, Consumer and Home


Garden to Go Packets

Garden to Go Packets

about 3 years ago by Chuck Flowers

In order to stay in contact with clients the Ag and FCS agents decided to offer Garden to Go Packets... Read More


Gardening To Go Starter Kits

Gardening To Go Starter Kits

about 3 years ago by Benjamin Rudy

Due to the Covid-19 related restrictions, Extension agents had to be creative in designing programs ... Read More