Getting ready to start my seeds !!!

[Duh_Vinci]

...I couldn't remember who started the peppers already I was going to search for it tonight. So guess what I'll be doing tonight. ...

I know I did [url=https://www.helpfulgardener.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21245]Peppers Started[/url] Gave them the first "food" supply - diluted fish emulsion doze last weekend. About 6" tall by now...

Go for it, plant the seeds!!!!

Regards,
D

[Ozark Lady]

I am kicking into high gear on seed starting... I got a flourescent light, and seed starting mix... I have seeds already...

Seems awfully early... but I tend to err... I start things much too late, and end up buying the plants for first starting in the garden.

I even gambled and got onion sets. I do so terrible with onions, but never seem to give up on them!

Now to mount the light, and get things rolling!

The snow is 98% gone, but it is snowing as I type this... I don't think it will stick, but it is freezing outside, so it might. It is a muddy, sloppy mess... no chance to dry any in between snow, freezing rain, and water running off from thawing.

Where do you guys and gals get these 50% frost free and 90% frost free?
I see average frost free dates and nothing more...

[gixxerific]

Ozark lady you will find your frost %'s right [url=https://davesgarden.com/guides/freeze-frost-dates/index.php?q=arkansas&submit=Go]here[/url]. Type in your zipcode and it will be more accurate.

If I may were at in Arkansas are you my sister in law lives in Corning just south of the Missouri border, it's more central than North West though.

[Ozark Lady]

I have never heard of Corning. And I moved here from North Central Arkansas, and moved there from North Eastern Arkansas... I must have seen it on the map and just spaced out the location.

I can be in Missouri in 5 minutes. Oklahoma takes 30-40 minutes.
I sometimes shop in Missouri.

Well, that chart, backs me up to Tax Day... 3 weeks, later than my chart.
I must remember it is an average... I had tomatoes growing on Thanksgiving, and the chart says October 30 both my chart and theirs.
The exception to every rule.. ha ha.
So somewhere between Mar. 15 and April 15... I get the all clear.

That is about the right time frame to get some seeds started, now.

Thanks for the link.

[crobi13]

I started my herbs & marigolds 10 days ago. I was going to wait to start my veggie seeds but not after reading this thread . Tomorrow is a holiday so I think I'll start them then. My honey got me a greenhouse for Valentine's Day so no time like now

[applestar]

Here's a photo of my recycled OJ carton and Rice Milk carton seedling flats with 1/2" central straps for structural support.

[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6395.jpg[/img]

Planted two kinds of cotton in the OJ carton flat and 3 kinds of Cabbages, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, and Kale, as well as 4 kinds of lettuce in the RM carton flat today. The lettuce seedlings will be pricked out as soon as their seed leaves grow out.

Now what to put in that open spot, just big enough for a berry container flat....

[rainbowgardener]

Rainbowgardener, I planted some cabbage and cauliflower about 3 weeks ago and I'm not sure they are growing like they should. Once they sprouted up it doesnt seem as they they've grown much. Would it be possible for you to post some pics of yours? If so, thanks in advance!

Ask and it shall be given! Pictures of my cabbage and broccoli seedlings right now:

[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/cabbage-broccoli.jpg[/img]

This is broccoli in the foreground and cabbage on the left. The ruler was supposed to demonstrate that the plants are about 3" tall.

They were all planted 1/21. That would be just over 3 wks ago. Is this about what yours look like?



[img]https://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt102/rainbowgardener/cabbage-babies.jpg[/img]

This one is more focused on the cabbage. It's a cabbage babies blend from Jung seed, several varieties of dwarf cabbage. Some varieties are bigger than others, right now anyway.

[pepper4]

Oh no Rainbowgardener! Mine look nothing like that. They are quite a bit smaller. The only thing I can think of is they may need more light. Maybe they will perk up.

[rainbowgardener]

MORE LIGHT!! Sounds like a good guess. You can see in the pictures, the length of the light tubes runs perpendicular to the length of the tray, so there are 4 tubes crossing each tray. They are just a few inches above the seedlings and on 16 hrs a day.

[rainbowgardener]

It's 46 degrees out today, ice and snow are melting like crazy and my trays of cabbage and broccoli went out for the first time to see the light of day! They will come back in tonight and then be in and out for awhile, while I watch weather reports like mad. They are now 4" tall and much bigger, sturdier, leafier than in the above pictures.

The ultimate opener tomatoes are going into the pots tonight. Dill I potted up earlier today. Petunia seeds planted last weekend, nicotiana and tithonia seeds will be planted tomorrow (in the space on the heat pad cleared out by potting up the tomatoes and the woodland lettuce).

I think when I get a chance (maybe tomorrow depending on weather and schedules) I will take the dirt and seeds of all the native woodland shade perennials that have sat there for 40 days and 40 nights (sounds so Biblical!) and done nothing and mix them together and plant them outdoors. Then I can use the space under the lights for something else.

Hey, I have to have something to keep me off the streets!

[gixxerific]

Sounds good RG, it was nice here yesterday as well. I took myself and the kids and the tomato out for some sunshine. I had it in the corner by my front door out of the wind and next to the almost white siding. I got a temp reading of 70+ degrees.

I can't wait to see your garden(s) in full swing this year.

Dono

[Duh_Vinci]

RG - your cabbage seedlings look wonderful!

All of my brassica seeds germinated fine, but I can't stop them from getting too leggy They have plenty of light, directly under the grow tubes 2" or so since day one, can't figure out what am I doing wrong...

Regards,
D

[rainbowgardener]

D_V - if it isn't the light, are you fertilizing them? too much ferts might make them grow too fast... Just a thought.

[Duh_Vinci]

RG - nope, no fertilizer, aside from a very small amount of worm castings I add to the seed starter mix prior to seeding.

Maybe I should try just plain mix w/o any additions?

Regards,
D

[applestar]

You can just bury them, including the seed leaves, with the base of the true leaf rosette snuggled into the soil at uppot time I remember last year, I just kept adding sand around the hypocotyl so they don't flop over until then. My Coles only sprouted on Wed, so I have to wait a bit yet.

My theory last year was that when direct seeding, you sow the seeds twice as deep, at least, so they don't dry out. Then the wind and the weather would push more dust and particles around the seedlings as well as settle them deeper. Also, we're planting in "light and fluffy" seedmix.

You know, I'm beginning to think that it's those raised beds ON CONCRETE patio that's giving you the edge, Rainbowgardener. My Zone 6b garden doesn't seem to warm up as quickly as yours.

[Duh_Vinci]

Will certainly do!

In the mean time - I will start another flat, and use different light, and no worm castings - question though:

How deep do you plant brassiac seeds?

Regards,
D

[applestar]

As I usually do with all my indoor starts (except the ones that need light to germinate and are surface-sown) I planted mine 2x the thickness of the seed -- probably a smidgeon deeper than tomatoes. But I'm impatient. One of the fun of starting seeds indoors is that they sprout so incredibly fast and develop right before your eyes.

[rainbowgardener]

You know, I'm beginning to think that it's those raised beds ON CONCRETE patio that's giving you the edge, Rainbowgardener. My Zone 6b garden doesn't seem to warm up as quickly as yours.

Maybe so later on in the season.... right now they are still snow covered with nothing in them!

My brassicas are back indoors now after a few hours sunning on the deck this afternoon. There was actual SUNSHINE!!

[applestar]

Here are mine -- still wee babies in the RMflat nursery , Bull's Blood beets and Rainbow Chard (which for some reason appears to be all yellow ) in the CCBflat in the back. The red cabbage seedlings are a little leggier than I like. They'll be separated/thinned tomorrow.
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6436.jpg[/img]

Mesclun flat, with Chiogga beets just starting to peek out in the front row:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6433.jpg[/img]

Recently single-potted Bull's Blood beets in the TP tubes, with Red Cross lettuce, and Corn Salad:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6438.jpg[/img]

Radish and mixed salad, with that Cypress 'Ellwoodii' in the back (are you seeing this Gnome and Victrinia? )
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6435.jpg[/img]

All huddled together in the bubblewrap:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6431.jpg[/img]
But it's still pretty cold:
[img]https://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll272/applesbucket/Image6428.jpg[/img]

[Ozark Lady]

Looking good!
I didn't know you could start beets and radishes...
Will you transplant these, or grow to eating size?

[applestar]

Bull's Blood is supposed to be harvested more for the "greens". I started the Chiogga after BB transplanted so easily. I'll plant them out if I manage to get the poly tunnel set up and if everything inside is cozy enough for them. (You're inspiring me to attempt an unprecedented early planting, Ozark Lady!)

I'm also trying to follow Companion Planting recommendations and need beets to grow with the Kohlrabi (the seeds for which should be coming in the mail any day now.... )

I usually don't start root veggies ahead, but as I mentioned elsewhere, Jeavons book has directions for starting almost all veggies ahead, so I've been trying a little at a time. Last year, I tried carrots and corn.

I'm planning to grow the radishes to eating size along with the Mixed Salad (Lettuce, Chard, BB, and Corn Salad) indoors.

[gixxerific]

You didn't hear it from me but I always started way too early.

Too much frost in the ground right now. You still have snow I would think, not here anymore, but another cold wave on the way. We see what happens this weekend, I just started working again so my starters are getting a little abused. But I need room in house, so in the ground the sooner the better.