Beginner Gardening: When to Pot-Up?, 0 by Gymgirl

Gymgirl wrote:
Peggy,
I did my shelf set-up all by myself. Are you smarter than a 5th grader? Then, you can do it too! The only tool you need is a handdrill with a tiny bit to start a pilot hole (a "starter" hole), so that when you HAND screw in the eyebolts, you don't split the wood. This would be an excellent project for you to learn how to drill holes, if you don't already know how!

The setup is just concrete blocks from HD ($1.50/ea.),with 1x12 boards sitting on top. The great part about the setup is you can have the boards cut to the length you have space for, long as it's at least 5-1/2 long (so the 48" shop lights have room). They'll cut them for you before you leave the store! How cool is that?? 4 blocks and 1 board cut in half will get you two shelves. Put two shop lights on each shelf for a total of 4 lights per shelf.

That's it!

P.S. I have that same APS Deep Root System from Gardener's Supply. I have the 15-cell setup. IT IS WONDERFUL!!! Use it for your peppers, which take a bit longer to germinate. The dome will help with the heat they like.

Start your tomato seeds off in 6 oz. yogurt cups with holes drilled in the bottoms. Then plant them up to 4" pots or drinking water bottles after the 2nd set of true leaves. The depth of the water bottles will help the tomatoes develop a good root system.

So, while you're waiting on the weather, start collecting yogurt cups from your friends, and drink a case of bottled water (24 bottles?). NOTE: Some water bottles have straighter sides than the Ozarka bottles. Some have a deep-curve section where you hold them. Look for the straightest sided water bottles. Makes it easier to get the root ball out of the bottle, without having to cut it open. Otherwise, you'll have to cut the bottle...

Hugs!