Grow Lights for Seedlings

Some folks have fancy grow-light systems for their seedlings. I usually just use the window, but it means the seedlings get quite leggy. This year, I'm trying a grow-light. I didn't have a stand for it, so I stacked some classics on each side. I'll add more classics to raise the lights as the plants grow. Some plants have their first true leaves, so I will re-pot them into a garden mix this week. They were started in sterile soil, and once the plants start to grow, they need nutrients from different soil, and a little bit of weak fertilizer.

It's a Tie

Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes, sungold cherry tomatoes and spaghetti squash all broke through the soil today. These seeds were planted Sunday.

Which One Will Pop First?

The little pots with seeds are tucked away under a clear plastic hood to keep the environment moist and warm, in order for germination to happen. A note if you're using these little jiffy-pots for seed-starting. They have to be soaked first and keep a close eye on them. They tend to "wick away" moisture from the soil. 

Another tip: Use seed-starting soil and dampen it first. That way, you don't have to water after you plant the seeds and risk disturbing them. If you keep a lid on the seed-starting tray, you probably won't need to water until you remove the lid once the seedlings appear. 

These pots are often promoted as handy because you can "plant them right in the ground." However, once the seedlings have a few true leaves, they need to be re-potted into larger containers with regular potting soil, and then fertilized with a mild solution. But hey, someone gave me these pots so I'm using them.

Never Doing the "Toilet Paper Tube" Seed-Starting Again

I saw it on Pinterest! A few weeks ago, I posted about seed-starting using toilet paper roll tubes. My initial concern turned out to be true. The cardboard is a tough medium because it absorbs moisture from the soil - and the seedlings need it. When the seed-starting tray is covered, there's no problem. When uncovered, the tubes dry out more quickly than plastic pots do. Normally, I would transfer these seedlings to bigger pots before putting them in, but this year, they'll go directly into the ground and/or pots. They've been hardening off for a few days on the covered patio, in preparation for planting later this week.

First Sprouters

I expected the cucumber to be up after 4 days...but not the tomatoes. Eager seedlings are popping up quickly this year. Notice that I'm using toilet paper tubes for seed-starting this year. It's an experiment.

Seed-starting Prep

Seed-starting season gets underway this month. I'll be using toilet paper tubes this year. The important thing to remember here is that the cardboard will try to wick away the moisture, so I'll soak them in water first. Some folks would just plant the whole tube later, but I will peel it off before re-potting in "teen" pots - the size when the seedlings receive normal potting soil and fertilizer, getting them ready for the real world.

There's a Radish Growing in my Bathroom

A carrot is growing in my bathroom, too. I had an assignment in my gardening class to start some seeds. I didn't have the heart to toss them into the compost pile when they reached the goal of 5 inches. Looking forward to a sliced radish in my salad, soon. A carrot is also growing, well, mostly struggling. I hope to eat it, too.

Seed-starting, and Yes, It's a Little Early

A little seed, a medium-sized seed and a large seed. That was the assignment in my Master Gardener class. I have to get these babies to 5 inches tall to receive "credit." Fingers crossed. In just two days, I already "see" the radish.

Seedling Update

Three seeds didn't sprout - a tomato, a zinnia and the Gerber daisy. The mortgage lifter tomatoes were first to sprout - after just three days. The packet of seeds is at least 13 years old. I had doubts they were still viable. Sweet 100 is a cherry tomato. Zinnias, other tomato varieties, lobelia, cosmos, basil and cilantro will be ready for outdoor-planting about the 3rd week of May. I'll start the second round of seeds this weekend: cucumbers, squash, pumpkins and more zinnias and cosmos.

Strange Lobelia "Seeds"

Someone gave me a packet of lobelia seeds, so I gave them a try. I was doubtful because the "seeds" are really just dust. The directions said to spread the seeds on top of the soil. Well, it worked. Microscopic plants have sprouted.

Seedlings in Every Pot

Tomato and basil seedlings have popped up in every pot. For those growing black pearl cherry tomato hybrids: be patient. The seeds took more than 2 weeks to come alive. These plants will get long and leggy over the next few weeks. That's O-K, and I'll show you why later. I plan on getting these into garden beds the 2nd or 3rd week of May - if temperatures cooperate.

Hello Tomatoes

The super sweet 100s, sun golds and green envy cherry tomato varieties are the first to sprout this year.

Seed-Starting: Tomatoes and Basil

The plans for a "cherry tomato rainbow" have officially begun. I have several different colors of cherry tomato plants started, along with basil. Seeds should sprout in 7-10 days. I have a big cover to keep the pots moist and warm near a south-facing window.

Seed-Starting

The first round of seed-starting is underway. Tomatoes, cabbage, basil, zinnias and marigolds. We're 8-10 weeks away from outdoor planting here in Boise. Seed-starting for cucumbers, summer squash and pumpkins is on the calendar for next month.

Uninvited Seedling

Look what was trying to crowd out a tomato seedling. Some pristine seed-starting soil, eh? I paid good money for it, too. This particular bag also grew mold in some of the seedling pots. I can't remember the name of the company that bagged the soil, but I remember what the bag looks like and never again will I buy it!

The First Seedling in the Latest Round

We started the next round of seedlings last Thursday night. The first ones to pop are orange marigolds, in fact, they sprouted overnight. All garden beds are cleaned up and ready for seedlings. I'll still wait until mid-May just to be on the safe side from morning frost.

Petunia Seeds Started

I planted white, red and pink super cascade trailing petunias. I did petunias from seed last year and it worked really well. But this year, the jury will be out for a few weeks. See how small the seeds are? Last year, I paid a lot more for "pelleted" seeds that were encased in something organic to make them bigger and visible on top of the soil.
These small seeds I just pushed out of the little bowl on top of the soil in my seed-starting trays. I couldn't see the seed after I did that, so I hope I got at least one in each cup. Time will tell. Petunia seeds can take up to two weeks to come alive. Although last year, some popped up in just a few days. They like consistent warmth to get going. Planting day in Boise is May 10th. By the way, this seed-starting kit is one I bought four years ago. It works really well and it's all re-usable and dishwasher-able. I have a possibility of 77 plants here, and yes, I can use them all in baskets, planters, garden bed fillers between veggies, foundation plantings, and by giving a few to my friends.

Seed-Starting Trays Ready

Just about ready to get my hands dirty. The seed-starting trays are cleaned up and ready for soil. Petunias are first, since they are the slowest to start from seed.