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The groundhogs -- Punxsutawney Phil and Staten Island Chuck -- were unanimous. Neither saw their shadow; so spring will be early this year.

For gardeners this is good news. But here is even better news: You can get started now.

At the Lifestyles for the Disabled Greenhouse, program participants are busy sowing seeds. Don’t have a greenhouse? The Native Plant Society of Staten Island has a workshop for you: How to Start Native & Other Plants Indoors from seed.

Why start seeds now? Not every seed you plant grows, so by starting now you will have an established sprout to put in the ground when the weather is right.

At the Lifestyles Greenhouse, swiss chard, radishes, spinach and marigolds have been planted. Under the supervision of staff Agnes Fallah Kamara and Joe Joyce, program participants were planting okra when the Life-Wire News crew stopped in.

Wearing a cocoon-like jacket, Dolores Palermo asked Joyce the obvious question, “Isn’t it too cold to plant?”

“No,” said Joyce. “In the greenhouse it’s warm pretty much 365 days a year.”

Danielle washed out the planting containers with soap and water while other participants took turns poking a hole in the soil with a short stick, dropped the seed in and covered it.

Joyce explained the seeds will sprout in about two weeks and the plants will be ready in eight weeks to be planted in the garden or sold at the annual Spring Plant Sale in May.

NO GREENHOUSE?

A greenhouse has the advantage of being temperate and light all year, but at the Native Plant Society workshop, you can learn how to use what you have at home to get plants started.

Light is the first consideration.

“The winter sun gradually gets notably higher by March,” observes says Brother Joshua Seidl who will conduct the workshop. “Thus, in a perfect set up, a southern exposed window should be ideal for your seedlings.”

East or west facing windows would be the next thing. Augmenting natural light with grow lights will also be discussed.

NOT ALL PLANTS ARE EQUAL

Failure discourages us. What is an easy plant to grow for outdoor survival? Brother Joshua will discuss plants that are appropriate for the indoor process and provide seeds for success. He has Old Fashion Orange Coreopsis (wild tick-seed) that he says is “virtually trouble free” and easy for young children to handle.

SEED STARTING CONTAINERS

From ice cream cones to egg cartons, a creative list of do’s and don’ts will be provided for where to start your seeds.

SHOULD WE DANCE WITH OUR PLANTS?

Dancing with our plants could be fun, but probably not what Brother Joshua has in mind when he says “your plants need exercise before you can let them stay outside on their own.” He will discuss how to “harden up” your sprouts as outdoor planting approaches.

AND MORE

What type of soil is best to begin with, when is the right time to plant them outside, fertilizer, labeling and journaling will all be covered.

Brother Joshua, a Michigan native, is a monk in the Society of St. Paul, a religious congregation of Catholic priests and brothers. The workshop will take place at their Staten Island center which includes a community room at St. Paul’s Bookstore (formerly known as Alba House), 2187 Victory Blvd., at 2 p.m. on Feb. 23.

Seeds, biodegradable peat pots and organic soil will be provided at the hands-on workshop.

Free admission for NPSSI dues-paying members and all children; $5 for nonmembers or join at the door. There is also a $4 materials fee for every adult attending this workshop.

Annual NPSSI membership: $10 for individuals; $5 for seniors; $15 families. Free membership for children. Check out the organizations website and Facebook page.

(Written collaboratively by Aaron Bialer, Steven Filoramo, Joseph Padalino, Dolores Palermo, Greg Perosi for Life-Wire News Service with Kathryn Carse .)

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