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Garden Gate:  Seed starting  |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 10:41:37 PM
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Tonight I finally got the rest of my tomoato and pepper seeds started. I am sure I am not completly, but had fun. I got 48 peat pellet "plugs" planted with 5 types of tomatoes (Ferris Wheel, Bloody Butcher, Egg, Marglobe and Yellow Pear) and a big flat of 3 types of peppers...to divide into bigger pots later. (Anaheim, Red Marconi and Calif Wonder Bell Peppers) My youngest daughter planted 4 little pots of forget me not seeds that she had. Now if I can keep the darn cat from laying on top of the plants I will have seedlings soon!! My garden spot is still covered in snow..darn it. I wanted to get the seedlings all going two weeks ago..but I think I am still fine. CAn't put them out for quite some time anyhow...at least Mothers day..maybe May first with Wall o Waters..but I sure don't have enough of those!! I am in the planning and seed collecting part of gardening for now. How fun!! It was nice to get my fingernails dirty!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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Tina Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
6948 Posts
Tina
sunshine state
FL
USA
6948 Posts |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 05:47:06 AM
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Jenny, I'm envious! I always have trouble starting seeds. They sprout just fine, but then they get "leggy" and then caput.
What's your secret?
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2916 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2916 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 05:59:33 AM
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Jonni
Plants get leggy when they don't have enough light. They are stretching to try to get to the light. (OK that kinda sounded religious) I always had that problem too, but last year I kept a cool light on them fairly close & they did much better |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 06:07:56 AM
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What do you mean by cool light, Lisa? I put them on the window sill in the back study because all of our other windows have the old metal awnings and that room gets sun all day. Plus, the sills are too shallow for the cats :)
Hey, I got your message--thanks so much--you know us too well, we were out hiking about with our wellies on. The dogs were MUDDY! But, it's always fun. I will probably give you a call on Sunday because Saturday we're going to Bee Keeping School in Frankfort (yay!!!)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2916 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2916 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 06:12:55 AM
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| Just use a commercial light where the bulb is not too strong or you could burn the plants. I actually used a small clip on desk lamp with the weakest bulb possible, and rotate the plants a few times a day. I think ideally you would want a long thin flourescent light. I was being extra cheap though, and that clip on was only like 5 bucks, the others were much more. |
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herbquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
891 Posts
Kristine
Bonney Lake
Wa
USA
891 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 09:18:16 AM
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We're starting seeds on monday & planting peas too.
Walmart has garden light strips with a bulb for about $10, that's what we use.
Good to get some dirt under your fingernails.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
Farmgirl Sister #97
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 11:45:31 AM
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I started my tomato seeds yesterday! It was wonderful to get some dirt in my nails at last. It's been a very long winter here. There is still lots of ice and snow banks in the yard, but spring is in my basement at least.
Dawn in IL |
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Aunt Jenny
True Blue Farmgirl
11381 Posts
Jenny
middle of
Utah
USA
11381 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 2:18:44 PM
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I sit mine on a narrow table in front of my giant south facing picture window in the living room. It is more than sunny enough there...works great. The only window I have that would work for sure.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
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sleepless reader
True Blue Farmgirl
1022 Posts
CA
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - Mar 06 2008 : 10:25:37 AM
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I need to get tomatoes started. I can never find the ones I want (like brandywines) because the stores sell them now and I can't plant until after Mother's Day! My peas are up and showing their happy little green leaves.
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2008 : 1:22:59 PM
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Sharon-
I think that BAker seeds has brandywine heirlooms. They are online so you can check them out or request a catalog. Great resource!!
I am trying a new form of seed started that I got from the YouGrowGirl website--starter soil in toilet tissue tubes (some cut in half for shorter rooted plants and some left whole for taproots) then I'm placing them in a cut off milk jug with a plastic clear bag over for a mini green house effect. they say it works well so I'll give it a try. then I don't need to worry about them drying out all the time or getting eaten by fuzz ball.
I'll let you know how they work. Check out that website--its fun!
cArrie m
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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Carrie W
Farmgirl Legend/Chapter Guru
437 Posts
Saratoga Springs
New York
USA
437 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 4:40:56 PM
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My milk jug greenhouses are working wonderfully! Most things are up and doing well. I'm still waiting on eggplant. Are they slow starters?? The weather has been sooooo nice her this week and I just want to plant things!!! I've got some peas on the ground in a protected area and hope they dont' get snowed on. We've gotten hit as late as the end of May so I'm worried.
carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
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lisamarie508
True Blue Farmgirl
2648 Posts
Lisa
Idaho City
ID
USA
2648 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 06:56:42 AM
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Carrie, a light plastic covering or old bed sheet should protect your peas and other cool-weather crops from snow and too cold temps. Peas and lettuce and such can handle temps down to about 28 without covering.
I have all of my seedlings in every window sill that gets ANY sun. The ones in windows that get the least, I have those cheap stick-up flourescent lights hanging over them. I use heavy cotton string tied to cuphooks at the top of the window. Works really well. Leggy tomatoes are an easy fix by simply transplanting them deeper, up to their necks. Roots will form all along the stem giving you an extremely strong and healthy (but short) plant that will bound back big time!
I never thought about using tp rolls or paper towel rolls either. What a great idea!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 07:43:11 AM
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My tomato plants are doing great. Their stems are nice and thick too. I started marigolds and zinnias last Thursday and they're already up high enough to touch the lid of their container! Once they are a bit taller, I'll put my fan on all of them to start hardening them up. It's been a cool spring here, but I have high hopes that everything will be planted by next month in the ground!
Dawn in IL |
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KYgurlsrbest
True Blue Farmgirl
4853 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4853 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 08:36:26 AM
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This is going to sound silly, but my seeds are doing quite well (I've never made it this far with them, see) so what now? I mean, do I just let them keep going until our last frost date and then stick em in the ground? My seed packages do not give me such guidance, so any help from you experts would be much appreciated:
I have from seed, boretania onions, hyssop, bee balm, german chamomile and cockscomb.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 08:41:59 AM
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I've got a bunch of flower seeds starting in peat pellets. Poppies, calendula, foxgloves, bee balm, and something else that I can't remember right now. I've got them on a small table pulled up close to the dining room window for the light. If they seem to need more light, I may try some of those flourescent bulbs.
My friend, who has amazing gardens, starts all her seeds outside. She just tosses them into milk jugs and whatever else will hold dirt and lets them fend for themselves on the porch and around the foundation. Her theory is that if some of the seeds need to be frozen before germinating, those will get taken care of. I try to remember her example when I start to fuss over my seeds! |
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Rosemary
True Blue Farmgirl
1825 Posts
Virginia
USA
1825 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 1:41:11 PM
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| Dawn, I never thought of using a fan to harden off seedlings while they're still indoors, as an alternative to the whole cold frame business, which has always struck me as too complicated unless you're rich and can have those frames that automatically open and close with changes in the temperature. How do you set up the fan? Does it blow right on the plants? Do you start far away and move it in gradually? Do tell! |
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Garden Gate: Seed starting |
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Seed starting
