New set-up for baby seeds

[DoubleDogFarm]

arisachu,

If the Brussels sprouts have just sprouted, I would wait until the first few true leaves before transplanting. I just use a pencil for pricking the seedlings out. Basically push the pencil in deep and heave up and pop. You will most likely disturb all the seedlings, but thats ok, they could be planted deeper anyway.

I think the seedling would handle that short flight with no problems. Plants are shipped in the mail all the time.


Eric

[arisachu]

Might be a silly question, but what's a pence? I tried to google it, but all I was coming up with was a penny and I wasn't sure how to use a penny to accomplish my task since they seem so much bigger than the seedlings themselves. xD If you did mean a penny I feel like a dumdum now haha.

[DoubleDogFarm]

I'm the dummy. I misspelled pencil twice.

Sing a song of sixpence, blah blah blah.


Eric

[arisachu]

Okay, I'll give it a shot, hopefully I won't destroy my baby seedlings, though if I do mess up I have a whole bunch of seeds left and apparently they grow in like, MILLISECONDS haha.


When constructing a cold frame, could I go to someplace like Lowe's or Home Depot for a bit of help/instruction? Their commercials boast the ability to help with home improvement and the like, but do you think they'd be able to help me out, or should I just scour the internet for some really good instructions? The people in the garden section at my Lowe's don't seem to really know much about gardening and appear to have been placed there since they also didn't know about the other home improvement areas.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Take a look at these. I just Googled Cold Frames.

http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-p ... 000018537/

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/reso ... hp?cat=388

Many different designs.

Eric

[arisachu]

Take a look at these. I just Googled Cold Frames.

http://www.sunset.com/garden/backyard-p ... 000018537/

http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/reso ... hp?cat=388

Many different designs.

Eric

Oh wow! Thank you! When I tried to Google it I looked at the Wikipedia page and a few other less helpful sources. Is it okay to keep it above ground? I see these instructions say to place it underground, but I think the property manager might get a little miffed if she came by to see a giant box in the middle of the lawn area.

[DoubleDogFarm]

arisachu,

If you look at the Sunset.com design, it has rope handles. Even though the articles talks about burying 10", you can see this one in the photo is made to be moved around. I think it's a rather attractive design also.

Gets me thinking. Do I build 12ft wide by 20ft long High Tunnels or a bunch of cold frames. Hmm

Eric

[arisachu]

Oooo High Tunnels look like fun. What are the pros to building these High Tunnels?
:sigh: If only I had the space for bigger things. Then again, maybe it's best to have concrete limitations, otherwise I'd get way ahead of myself. (There I go obsessing again )

That is a very attractive design. A bit big for my scale, but I'm sure I could adjust accordingly with that newfangled math nonsense everyone talks about.

[DoubleDogFarm]

Looking at the Sunset design. I would not do the goofy back frame with the rope and pulleys. I would prop open with a notched stick system or lid prop.


Eric

[DoubleDogFarm]

High Tunnel is similar to a greenhouse, but easier and cheaper to build. You can build both over concrete. Basically a season extender. Plant earlier and grow longer into the winter. You can stand inside and work. Try to do that in a cold frame.

Eric

[arisachu]

Nice play on words there. As for soil to put in the cold frame, what would you suggest I get to put inside the box since I can't put it underground?

[Marlingardener]

Arisachu,
Since you are short on money (aren't we all!) and have some free time, how about volunteering in a garden-related area? You would learn so much, have fun, and work off some of that obsession! Your college might welcome a volunteer to weed (amazing what one can learn while weeding) or if there is a senior center near you, they may have a gardening program and welcome a bit of help. Some churches also have community gardens to supplement food pantries. There is absolutely no better way to learn about plants, soil, and cultivation than by working beside another gardener! Actually, that's kind of what we do here on this forum . . . .

[arisachu]

That's a good idea. I had thought about stopping by the greenhouses on campus and seeing if there was anything I could volunteer for. :3
Not sure about senior centers around here, I'll have to look into it. There's this really cool park area in town, a little bit farther away from home, but it's very nice and I know they welcome volunteers. I'll go check them out.

[arisachu]

Just to make sure I'm not slowly killing them, are these guys looking good? I've just moved them to the window for much better lighting. Today's weather looked promising, but alas.
If I put them outside, should I cover them?
Picture is kind of blurry, my phone doesn't do so hot with close-ups.

[DoubleDogFarm]

I put this off because I didn't want to be the bearer of bad news. Your Brussels sprouts are very leggy. This is do to not enough light. I suggest that you start over and put the light right over the pots.

Eric