Seeds On The Ides Of March

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Beware the Ides of March. Thanks to William Shakespeare, most of us have heard this ominous phrase. But the madman says, “Don’t Beware, but be aware of the Ides of March.”

Remember, the madman is a gardener, not a historian. The history buff is interested in the Ides of March in the year 44 B.C. for its historical significance to the Roman Empire – Emperor Julius Caesar was assassinated on that day. But what is an Ides?

*A reproduction of the Fasti Antiates Majores, a wall-calendar from the Roman Republic.*

The Romans Followed The Moon

Back in early Rome, they used a calendar based very loosely on lunar cycles: from New Moon to New Moon. They called the first day the Crescent Moon appeared in the Western sky the Kalends, or first day of the month. When the moon was at half-phase, it was the Nones. And, the Full Moon was the Ides. March’s Full Moon fell on the fifteenth of this Roman month. Most other months, it fell on the thirteenth.

Crescent Moon above the trees. — *A very “New” moon in the western sky shortly after sunset. This was the Kalends.*

As you can imagine, there are a lot of problems with a Lunar Calendar system, especially since the Romans only had 10 months that each had roughly 30 days. At the end of the year, they dumped the remaining days into a catchbin called “winter.” And, by the time Shakespeare was writing his plays, the calendar was so messed up that Pope Gregory XIII put his foot down, threw the Julian calendar out the window and made the world go to what we now know as the Gregorian calendar.

Starting Seeds

But, as I told you, the madman is not a historian, nor is he a fan of English Literature. So, what is his interest in the Ides of March? The answer is “starting seeds”. Some seeds can be directly sown into the garden. Other seeds need to be planted indoors to give them a head start on our growing season. Remember how we always tell you to read the seed catalogs? Within the description of seeds is a timeline for planting. It usually goes something like this: “sow outside after danger of frost has passed,” or “sow indoors X number of weeks before your last frost date.” The same phrase appears on the back of seed packets.

*Most seed packets contain seed starting information.*

The madman has noticed that some companies are trying to offer a more personalized calculator such as, “sow seeds X number of weeks before planting outdoors.” Then they suggest a transplanting time based on your last frost date – essentially the same calculation as before. Luckily most seed companies offer an on-line date calculator. Once you enter your last frost date, all your planting dates are there.

Know Your Frost Date

If you grow your own plants from seed, you need to know what your last frost date will be. There are many agencies that will give you the average last frost date for your area. Thanks to variations at the microclimate level (your backyard) and the general weather pattern, your specific date may vary from the average. Over the years, the madman has come to settle on the last frost date of May 15 for his garden.

*Once you know your hardiness zone, you can look up your last expected frost date.*

That’s why the Ides of March has become one of his many holidays. Many of his seeds come with the instructions, “sow indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost.” If you count back from May 15, 8 weeks puts you at the Ides of March. I guess he could have chosen Pi Day (3.14, get it?), but that’s one day off and doesn’t come with the mystique of the Ides. So the Ides have it. And the madman is aware that the fifteenth is next week. His seed starting area has to be ready.

Peppers Are In

Because he already started some seeds (hot pepper seeds were planted January 15), the area is already clean. He vacuumed the surfaces and sprayed them down with household bleach – no bacteria or fungi will harm his precious seedlings. He cleaned all his flats, trays and pots with diluted bleach, and he purchased bags of sterile seed starting medium.

the madman scrubbing the surface — *The madman uses bleach to clean his work surface. Note the red glow from his LED grow lights.*

Planning Planting

He planted some seeds earlier. But he will plant the bulk of this season’s seeds in waves of 8-10 weeks before last frost, 6-8 weeks before last frost, 4-6 weeks before last frost and finally everything else. The first wave of planting can start now. Salad greens, such as lettuce, endive and Asian greens that will tolerate a light frost can be planted indoors. They can be set out in cool temperatures and won’t mind a light frost. In fact, some gardeners who use high tunnels or cold frames probably are growing these crops right now. He can start the brassicas indoors now – broccoli, cabbage, kale, kohlrabi, things like that.

a flat of peppers — *The madman planted these peppers in January.*

Right after the Ides (around 8 weeks before last frost), he will be starting tomatoes, eggplants and the rest of his peppers. I’ll also ask him to start my lobelia and nicotiana seeds. At the end of this two-week period, he’ll start calendula, shallots and leeks along with the herbs parsley, sage and fennel.

Starting Seeds 4-6 Weeks Before Last Frost

The next wave to go in will be mostly flowers: zinnias, datura, ageratum, alyssum, strawflowers, statice, marigolds and petunias. This is also a good time for basil, oregano, swiss chard, melons, and more kale. He’ll be furiously rummaging through his seed box to make sure he hasn’t forgotten anything.

the madman sorting through his box of seeds. — *This is where I often find the Madman – looking to make sure he is not forgetting anything.*

Finally, around the first of May, roughly 2-4 weeks before the last frost, he’ll start morning glories, cosmos, cucumbers, pumpkins and squash, plus any newcomers that have struck his fancy. Remember, gardening is personal – this is what we grow. You may want to start other seeds; just check the seed packet for starting times.

Seed Starting Calculator

If you are looking for an easy-to-use planting date calendar, the madman recommends the calculator on the Johnny’s Seeds Website. Once you enter your last frost dates, you’ll get planting dates for a variety of seeds and transplants.

Starting Seeds

Once you know the proper starting dates, starting seeds is easy. Here’s what the madman does. First, he gathers all his materials: containers, seeds, seed starting mix, labels and a #2 graphite pencil, water, and plastic bags with closures. He fills a container (pot or flat) 2/3 full of seed starting mix and gently pats the seeds into the mix. Then he adds a thin layer of starting mix and gently waters the container. Next, he creates a label noting the variety and date of planting and places it on the edge of the container. He slips the whole thing into a clear plastic storage bag, seals it with the closure tie and puts it on a heating mat. The bagged seed containers stay on the heating mat until the seeds sprout. Then they go under lights.