about to drop my seeds in how many per and how deep?

[GardenGnome]

[img]https://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj565/ericmgilson/2012-02-03_11-32-41_364.jpg[/img]

Does it depend on seed size?
And tray size?
Peppers and tomato
Some herbs
spinach,cabage

[GardenGnome]

Maybe ill do the pencil tip method.

[GardenGnome]

That's perfect and answers some other stuff also.
Thanks for the reply.

[rainbowgardener]

Agree -- people think of planting seeds, they think of burying them and usually end up with them way too deep. Most of my seeds, I just press them firmly so they are in good contact with the soil and then sprinkle a light layer of loose potting soil over them. And as Mg noted, the tiny ones I don't even cover.

How many per cell depends greatly on the size of the seeds. Large seeds like squash / moonflower, etc. one per cell. Tomatoes and peppers 2-3 per cell. But I crowd seeds in cells as much as I can, to get max use of my heat mats, and then separate them out later when I am moving them off the mats.

[GardenGnome]

[img]https://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj565/ericmgilson/2012-02-03_13-50-18_413.jpg[/img]

I read people don't use the dome.
If I don't need it can I use it under the cells.
To beable to see how much waters in there?
I'm using jiffy seed starting mix the water runs right threw it.
Do just soak the mix good then do the seeds.

[GardenGnome]

I got 96 3 inch pots at the dollar tree for 8 bucks not bad.
So rainbow you crowd them in there and then pull 1 whole cell out?
Then break the roots and plants up?

[GardenGnome]

I don't want your money just your knowledge about starting seeds

[GardenGnome]

[img]https://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj565/ericmgilson/2012-02-03_16-11-44_767.jpg[/img]

Idk if you can read it.
But this is my seed list I did.

[Susan W]

GG, there is a ton of trial and error in this gardening stuff. Trust me, I am an expert! As for seed starting, read the packet instructions, usually short & sweet and often on the mark. For each variety do a google. I can often find a concensus of ways of things and mix with my own particular set up. And check in here for others ways and their own particular situation.

[GardenGnome]

It kinda worked out this way.
I had the stuff before I joined this forum so I was shooting to do it this way.
But I'm all eyes and ears to other ways.

[rainbowgardener]

Yes, as Mg said, you have to get the seed starting mix well dampened first. I only water from the bottom EXCEPT the first time before the seeds go in. I pour water in the cell from the top and stir it around until all the potting soil is moistened. Same as Mg except I do it cell by cell (or pot by pot when up-potting) instead of all at once in a bucket. Her way is probably a lot more efficient, but my way may be less messy!

I would never say I'm a better gardener than Mg, who has acres while I garden a city lot, but I might be a lazier one... I don't want to take the chance of leaving a humidity dome on too long because I missed checking on it and finding all my seedlings dead. And clearly it isn't necessary, since all my seeds sprout without it.

[GardenGnome]

I have to get dirty? I'm outa here noone said anything about getting dirty....
I think I might try it off. I have 4 bar lights above my seeds and a heating mat under.
Its set on 75.
Thanks for all the input.

[rainbowgardener]

I have to get dirty? I'm outa here noone said anything about getting dirty.... My SO calls me pigpen, because I'm always trailing dirt behind me!

I think I might try it off. I have 4 bar lights above my seeds and a heating mat under.
Its set on 75.

Yep! Looks like you've got all the bases covered! Time to get planting!

Thanks for all the input.

YVW - always glad to help new people get started gardening!

PS... I have to say I admire that you did a bit of homework first. Too often we have people that only write in AFTER they have made a bunch of mistakes and had a bunch of seedlings/ plants die.

[gixxerific]

I do not use the domes either. But I do use them when I run out of trays for bottom watering plants so yes they can be used for that.

[GardenGnome]

I've keep the seeds at 72 temp but when I turned off the lights it drops down to 56 is that ok? I was going to do 16light 8off.

[GardenGnome]

If I had to guess. Its not that temp on seeds outside cause of night and day.
If you ran your seeds at that temp 24 with the lights on will it cook the seeds?

[rainbowgardener]

The light and heat are connected?

I run my lights 16 on/ 8 off, but I run the heat mats all the time 24/7. It does not cook them as long as you don't let the soil dry out.

[jnunez918]

I do not use the domes either. But I do use them when I run out of trays for bottom watering plants so yes they can be used for that.

Take out containers make easy trays.

[GardenGnome]

Is there a sticky for seed starting? Maybe
Stuff used
Mats, lights, container
Plants you can start together?
Cold starters and warm starters.
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[GardenGnome]

I was over doing it.
So I moved them and now its set up like this.
Didn't know I didn't need the lights intell they popped up.
[img]https://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj565/ericmgilson/2012-02-05_12-22-12_501-1.jpg[/img]