• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Shop Local, Eat Fresh at the Saratoga Farmers' Market | Food, Crafts, Music in Saratoga Springs

Shop Local, Eat Fresh

  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!

seed starting

Planning Spring Plantings

March 1, 2018 By marketeditor

By Himanee Gupta-Carlson

 

Ten days ago, as temperatures hit the 60s, I looked at the fresh-cut tree I had gotten at the Saratoga Farmers’ Market in December. It still smelled fresh but was drying out. Time to take it down and to think about filling its space with seed trays for the spring.

Farmers who bring the earliest spring herbs and vegetables to market often start seeds under grow lights, on heating mats, and in greenhouses. They rely on such innovations as high tunnels to prolong the garden season. Backyard gardens usually remain a mass of frozen soil until April.

Still, now is a good time to plan a spring garden, order seeds, and gather supplies.

Local gardening expert Sadie Ross recommends starting seedlings in starter pots or seedling trays and covering them with some kind of clear plastic to simulate a greenhouse. She often uses clear plastic deli tray covers. She recommends filling the starter pots with potting soil, dropping seeds on top and covering them with about 1/8 of an inch of soil. These pots should be watered lightly once a day with a spray bottle until the seeds germinate and sprout two true leaves.

How does one know when to plant certain seeds?

Many experts recommend creating a growing calendar with the last frost date as a pivot point. Charts listing when to start seeds indoors and when to transplant seedlings or direct sow outdoors are widely available on seed company and gardening websites. Nearly all are based on that frost date.

After taking down my tree, I created a growing calendar, based on our area’s last frost date of May 20. Working with charts on the Hudson Valley Seed Company’s website, I found out that while I can start celery and celeriac this weekend, and parsley, onions, and chives next weekend, I should hold off on starting my favorite greens and root vegetables until mid-April, as they’re best transplanted in mid-May.

“There isn’t much that one can start indoors this early,” says Ross. “Wait a few more weeks.”

Patience can pay off. As I’ve learned from years past, poor conditions will kill your plants. But when the time is right, they’ll thrive.

Visit the Saratoga Farmers’ Market 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays at the Lincoln Baths Building in Saratoga Spa State Park; follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram; and contact friends@saratogafarmersmarket.org for volunteer opportunities.

Filed Under: Featured Article, News Tagged With: frost, Gardening, planting, Saratoga Farmers' Market, seed starting, seeds, spring

Before Footer

Instagram

We have plenty of heirloom tomatoes, green beans, We have plenty of heirloom tomatoes, green beans, and sweet corn at this week’s market! Perfect for a summer salad, or roasted with zucchini for a fresh pasta dish. 🍅🌽🥬

Flowers are in abundance here too, and make the perfect gift for anyone 💐🌼🌻

Stop by and grab a breakfast sandwich, coffee, scone, and hash brown while strolling in this gorgeous weather! We’ll be here from 9-1 🍃⛅️
Connecting our community with locally produced foo Connecting our community with locally produced food is a priority of the Saratoga Farmers’ Market. While this connection supports the local economy, it also ensures that people of all economic levels have access to fresh, locally-sourced food. With this purpose, the Saratoga Farmers’ Market has partnered with the federal government’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), CDPHP, Comfort Food Community, the FreshConnect program, and the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program for WIC participants and Seniors (FMNP). Check out this week's article to learn more at: https://www.saratogafarmersmarket.org/category/featured-article/

Photo: Summer melons from Gomez Veggie Ville

#saratogasprings #freshconnect #healthyliving #communityfirst #saratogafarmersmarket #agriculture #nonprofitorganization #farmtotable
Join us this Wednesday, 8/9, for a musical scaveng Join us this Wednesday, 8/9, for a musical scavenger hunt and farmers’ market song! Hosted by Caffe Lena, we’ll have plenty of fun activities for our awesome POP Club members 🤩🎶

Be sure to get a stamp on your POP Passport and a $2 POP coin!

We hope to see you tomorrow, rain or shine 🌤
Meet our newest Clifton Park farmer, Suzanne Fishe Meet our newest Clifton Park farmer, Suzanne Fisher! Our Clifton Park market runs every Monday, 2-5pm, at the Shenendehowa Methodist Church parking lot 971, Route 146 🌾🌽🍅 Today we will be joined by the Saratoga Office for the Aging! They will be passing out FMNP coupons for people that are 60+ and on a limited income. Hope to see you there!

#cliftonpark #farmersmarket #upstateny #agriculture #farmtotable #dinnerideas #shopsmall

Footer

With support from our friends at:

Copyright © 2022 · Saratoga Farmers Market · Design by REACH CREATIVE

    COVID-19: Check our latest Safety Guidelines!
  • Markets
    • Our Markets
  • Vendors
    • Vendor Directory
    • Becoming a Vendor
  • About Us
    • SFM Association
    • History
  • Programs
    • SNAP/EBT & FMNP
    • POP Club for Kids
    • Summer Internships
    • Compost Collection
  • Get Involved
  • News
    • Featured Article
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • Weekly Newsletter
  • FAQ
  • Contact us
    • Message us!