Nothing beats that first pop of green breaking through the soil — it’s the surest sign spring is on its way.Want strong, healthy starts? Here’s how to set your seeds up for success:
Seed-Starting Made Simple
Pick the Right Seeds Choose varieties suited to your local climate and planting window. (We stock seeds proven to thrive here!)
Start with Clean Containers Use containers with drainage holes and label everything — future you will be grateful.
Use Quality Seed-Starting Mix Go light and well-draining. Skip garden soil to avoid compaction and disease.
Plant at the Proper Depth A good rule of thumb: 2–3 times as deep as the seed’s size. Check the packet to be sure.
Give Them Light Bright light is essential. A sunny window works, or supplement with grow lights.
Water Wisely Keep soil consistently moist, never soggy. Gentle watering (like a spray bottle) protects tender sprouts.
Keep It Cozy Most seeds germinate best at 65–75°F. Heat mats can give them a helpful boost.
Thin for Strength Once true leaves appear, thin seedlings so each plant has room to grow strong.
Ready to kick off your best garden yet? Stop in at Payne’s North and explore our 2026 seeds, seed-starting supplies, soils, and more — NOW IN STOCK!
A large new shipment of lush tropicals and vibrant houseplants has just arrived, filling the greenhouse with fresh greenery. From bold philodendrons to colorful bromeliads and easy-care favorites, there’s something for every indoor space.
It’s the perfect time to visit and refresh your plant collection in Santa Fe. Whether you’re creating a cozy corner or a full indoor jungle, the new arrivals offer plenty of beautiful options to choose from.
Our NEWLY remodeled greenhouses are bursting with lush tropicals and house plants! Come visit Payne’s North today and experience our newest space in full bloom.
Our 2026 seeds are here and our seed racks are stocked and ready – with plenty of varieties to choose from. Brands like: Botanical Interests, Lake Valley Organics, Peppers of the World and more!
We also just received our Peppers of the World Seeds are a diverse collection of non-GMO pepper seed varieties from around the globe, offering everything from mild and sweet peppers to fiery hot chilies for home gardeners. They’re celebrated for their wide selection of specialty peppers and heirloom types, making them a fun and flavorful way to grow your own peppers for cooking, sauces, and fresh eating.
CAN ASPEN TREES GROW HARDY IN ALBUQUERQUE AND SANTA FE?
ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION!
In this week’s archived show from previous years, the Garden Guru talked about how Aspen are able to grow in Albuquerque AND Santa Fe. Of course you need to simulate conditions that are prime for growing Aspen in higher elevations, such as good soil, more moisture than other trees and of course a cooler area in your yard.
Aspen like cool temperatures, moist soil … supplemental water on a regular basis. Good soil is very important and you can make your own. All you need is … well, listen to Lynn’s tip to find out how to make good, rich soil!
You’ll have to listen to the Garden Guru to find out…
CLICK HERETO LISTEN TO THE GARDEN GURU’S ARCHIVED RADIO SHOW ON THIS TOPIC.
There are three excellent reasons to start plants from seed. First, you’ll have many more varieties to choose from. Garden centers and greenhouses usually only offer the most popular plants and leave many new or old-fashioned varieties off the table. Starting plants from seed also can be much less expensive than buying only started plants. And finally, you have the joy and satisfaction of starting your own plants and watching them grow under your care. You have the added benefit of being able to give away extra plants if more germinate and survive than you have room for.
Whether planting flowers or vegetables here are some tips to ensure success.
1. Choose and order your seed as soon as possible. Look at the catalogs and websites and decide what plants you want to grow from seed. Consider both your outdoor planting space and the space available inside for starting plants. Get your orders placed early so you can be sure your choices will be in stock and you’ll have seeds in hand when their appropriate starting time arrives.
2. Check out the requirements of the seeds that you have ordered. Catalogs and websites will provide quite a bit of information. There is also usually considerable information on each seed packet.
3. Gather or order the materials you’ll need. For seed starting containers, you can use such common household items as small paper cups, egg cartons (even egg shells!), or deli containers with plastic domes. Just make sure you can put drainage holes in whatever you use. You also can purchase pots or seed starting kits.
4. Use a purchased seed starting mix for best results. Commercial soil-less germinating mixes designed for starting seeds are fine textured, provide adequate moisture retention and drainage, and are free from disease-causing organisms.
5. If you are reusing containers from previous years, clean and sanitize them first. Scrub containers in warm, soapy water and rinse. Next submerge them in a solution of 1 part household bleach to 9 parts water and let them soak for 10 minutes. Finish by rinsing containers in clear water and letting them air dry. Be sure to wear rubber gloves for this task.
6. Determine the best time to start each kind of seed. Check the seed packet, catalog or website to help you decide on the best time to seeds. Take into consideration the length of the germination period, the number of days to maturity, and the suggested planting date. Also determine the average frost free date for your area. Count backwards from that date the number of days needed to grow a plant established enough to plant outdoors. Starting a little late is better than starting too early.
The weather has been quite warm for this time of year. We’ve definitely been having fluctuating degrees of weather, so Payne’s doesn’t recommend fertilizing any outdoor plants at this time. Here are some things to consider:
Fertilizingyour plants will enhance and encourage
NEW growth and a possible hard freeze
may cause damage to the new buds. It’s not time yet.
It’s better to have more days above 45 or 50 degrees!
Pruningwill hurt your plants at this time, never prune too early in the winter, as incisions can dry out if the temperature drops well below freezing. Wait until EARLY SPRING when the weather becomes a bit warmer
like the middle of MARCH
to start fertilizing, but keep an eye on the weather.
It’s better to have more days above 45 or 50 degrees!
Dormant Oilshould be applied in late March or early April before the plants show signs of breaking dormancy (before “bud break”). Dormant oils applied in February or early March are not effective as insects are not actively respiring at this time and, therefore, are not vulnerable to
the oil’s suffocating effects.
Warmer and longer SUNNY days are ahead! We’ll let you know when it’s time and safe to start feeding your plants.
One of the most important secrets to successful gardening in New Mexico is mulch, mulch, mulch. Composts make the best mulches because they improve the soil they cover. Bark mulches are used for decorative reasons or to hold compost mulch in place, but may interfere with nutrient cycling if directly in contact with the soil surface.
CLICK HERE for more information or call SAM if you have any questions regarding BULK soil, mulch, pumice or compost at 505-424-0336.
—————————————————- SHARE YOUR PHOTOS! Please keep sending in your photos. You Could WIN a $25 Gift Card! If you have a photo taken in one of our greenhouses or of your own garden orlandscape that contains products from Payne’s, please send it to info@paynes.com!
If your photo is chosen, and used in our e-newsletter website or other marketingmaterials, then you will receive a Gift Certificate from Payne’s for $25!Please make sure to give us your contact information in your email.
Here’s THIS MONTHS ZODIAC SIGN PROFILE AND HOW IT CAN HELP YOU GARDEN:
PICES (FEBRUARY 20 – March 20) Pisces completes the winter. Spring is just around the corner, so a sense of change is inherent in this sign. Pisceans generally possess a sense of creativity, so look for graceful plants such as lupines and poppies to be scattered around your yard. A rainbow of colors splashes brilliantly in front of your doors and alongside your walkways. Cucumbers, melons, and summer squashes appeal to your watery natures. Many Pisces love to cook, and hearty chicken or fish soups are always simmering on your stove and in your slow cooker. Gazpacho and vichyssoise are also perennial favorites.
