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How do I start seeds in this heat?
First, you want to keep the seed bed moist as you work up the soil and get it ready for planting seed. Moisten the soil gradually with a fine mist, to avoid the crusting which makes it harder for seeds to push up the soil.
It really helps to provide some shade. You can suspend a little shade cloth or even some row cover fabric over the row. Use an umbrella or anything you have around to soften the amount of direct sun they get.
Another technique is to stick shrub branches in the ground at an angle to kind of shade the sun. You can prune some branches off of an evergreen. If you have bamboo, you can use those. Some people even use license plates.
Be sure to read the instructions on the seed packet for the proper planting depth. Some seeds want to buried; others want just a bit of soil on top, since they need light to germinate.
Once a seed starts to germinate, it will die if it dries out. You may need to water a few times a day when it's hot, dry, and window. Use a sprayer that allows you to gentle “shower” them, so they don't dislodge or flood. Water gently, let it soak in, then make another pass or two.
One final suggestion: consider starting your seeds in shade. Plant the seeds in pots or trays and then transplant to the garden when it's cooler. I like to start lettuce and spinach that way. Some seeds, like carrots, do not want to be transplanted, so check the seed packet. Check here for more details, planting dates, and recommended varietiesRelated Episodes
