We have the native seeds, What to do now?

here's another simple light shelf system for the newbies.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/48/

Thank you Gymgirl, that is very simple and neat. I am glad you joined us.
Josephine.

Thanks, Frostie!

I built one like it for my seedling trays. It's really quick to set up and take down. And, you can paint the wood to match interior decor (if necessary).

I had to use phone books too when I ran outta chain to hoist the lights up. I started my bell pepper seedlings waaaaaaaaaay too soon in January, and they outgrew the height of my shelf space. I had to prop the lights up on the books, cause it was still too cool to put the seedlings out.

Boy, but they were beauties! Prettiest emerald green seedlings I've ever seen. In red Solo cups. I had a Christmas theme going in January!

This was their first hardening off field trip.

Wow! those look really pretty, I hope you had a really good crop.

Would you believe they're still putting out peppers?

This was my harvest on 10/24/10.

That is great!! I love peppers.

So many ideas! Ah, how should I plant them all. I never thought about having to move them into larger pots so I wonder if the milk jug planter is such a good idea after all.
I posted this on the cactus forum and got the idea from a woman over there. It's just a cheap metal shelf and 10 dollar lights. Easy to put together and works great. Pic if poor quality but you get the idea. I am not using it for seeds just for my plants that need to be indoors in the winter.
C

Nice options everyone has offered. I don't have any excuses not to begin. I already have that last wire shelving and I have some old four foot shop light fixtures that we replaced with 12 footers. Glad I didnt' put them on freecycle like I had planed.
What type of bulbs was suggested....? Need to go back and read that.
I don't think I would like the cinder block ones because of the heavy lifting and when you watered it would set on the shelf. But if like Glenda trays were used, then it might work fine.
Decisions...decisions....

Just realized, you can't water them in place unless you have the trays because of the lights anyway!!



This message was edited Dec 15, 2010 7:48 AM

I usually don't winter sow until the end of January or beginning of February. I've had much success waiting. The seeds aren't going to germinate until the soil temps reach the appropriate temps anyway. For those that need cold, they'll get plenty. Just be careful to water if your jugs dry out.

What about transferring the seedlings to a larger pot Stephanie...Isn't it hard to do without loosing them?

No. I use a spoon to scoop them up and transfer them.

Thanks Stephanie. I may have gotten in a hurry.

We use a fork at the greenhouse for taking out seedlings it works great too.

I've never had any trouble transplanting from the jugs either. I did have an issue with pill bugs eating my babies last year though. Lost a bunch of them before I realized who the rascals were. I'm prepared for them this year, although they may not be as bad if we don't have so much rain. The year before, when we were still in the drought, I had no trouble with them.

Nbgard,
I had all my milk jugs sitting out on my concrete launching pad (it's an inside thing...it's a concrete slab in the constantly moist corner of our yard). A pillbug haven surrounds the slab...

SPINOCID. Better known as SLUGGO PLUS came to my rescue! When the pillbugs started heading for my milkjugs, I sprinkled the Sluggo Plus all over the pad, around, and in between the jugs. Also, I had sprinkled a spoon of Sluggo Plus on the very top of my potting mix before I close up the jugs.

No more pillbugs ... anywhere... ^^_^^

P.S. The Sluggo Plus is kinda $$ compared to the regular Sluggo. But, the more $$ Sluggo Plus goes a long way and will do the job.

So good to know Gymgirl! I'll have to get me some.

Which reminds me I need to get a new jug of Sluggo Plus, too!

I found this link and have added it to the top post, I think it is very good.
http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/

Very simple to understand site. Thanks

as close as you can get it

I have a question about covering seeds. Ok I have 2 questions really.

1. How deep to plant seeds. I always thought bigger seeds needed to be covered with dirt. I believe Josephine told me something about seeds with wings or hairs for dispersion...

2. Do you put mik jugs (if you use them) out where they can be rained on? Will they get water logged?

C

No the jugs won't get waterlogged. You put drainage holes in the bottoms of the jugs and the tiny opening at the top will not gather that much rain. I found I have to watch and add water some winters. The jug is essentially like a tiny greenhouse. In vegies, when sprouted they will need frost protection. The seedlings you are starting should be more hardy.

This message was edited Dec 23, 2010 8:11 AM

Yes Cheryl, the general rule is to cover larger seeds with as much soil as the size of the seed.
In other words if the seed is 1/8 inch tall then cover with 1/8 inch of soil. I guess you would have to estimate this, I have never measured them.

The seeds the are just fluff with a little fertile end, such as asters and goldenrod, and the ones that fine as powder, should barely be covered with a very fine sprinkle of soil. I use a flour sifter for that job.
The fluff from Golden Groundsel we don't cover at all, but pat it down on moist soil then spray with fine mist and keep it moist until it sprouts.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you also, I hope we get rain, even though it will make it messy, but we sure need it.

Looks and feels like rain so I think its on the way.

Re: Winter Sowing - Never tried this before

I am going to use the 3-piece miniature greenhouse kits for my winter sowing and planned on stacking them on my front porch. But in the winter we have a terrible problem with field rats and sometimes squirrels wanting to invade any and everything left outside. We always try not to have anything out that would interest them. Not long ago my DH left a large electric mitersaw on the porch and covered with a plastic tarp. When he uncovered it a few days later, the saw was full of acorns and other evidence a field rat had been there. I'm quite certain they will have no problem chewing through the thin plastic of the perforated seed starting flats.

The only solution I could think of would be stacking the little greenhouses in a large plastic storage container with the lid on. There are no clear containers of the right size. If I use the colored ones, then there would be absolutely no light getting to the pots.

Is that an acceptable situation for winter sowing?

Thanks.

I think you have to have light. How about putting each tray in one of those clear shoe boxes they sell at the $dollar store? You could even plant in those if needed, with holes in the bottom and top.
I know what you mean, those rodents of all kinds are terrible. I hope i helped you.
Josephine.

That sounds like a great idea Glenna, that way they will be safe and you will have some peace of mind, just don't forget to keep them moist.
Josephine.

Rats and Tree rats can and do chew thru even thick plastic, we've had to go to tin cans to protect feed and seed-with a concrete block on top to boot that only the coons can dislodge. Dark encourages hidey holes, light tends to make some animals seek other places to do their scrounging. Are you getting those furry little 'norwegian rats' I think I heard someone call them? They are the hardest to discourage I've found yet, and I know when field mice come in for the winter they are prone to finding nests close to my hot water sources, steel wool helps discourage small entries. Still I think my favorite is D Con, the sticky traps they learn to jump over, chuckle. I wonder if they make snake flavored repel pellets yet?

lol "little" norwegian rats...

Supposedly the mice and such don't like mint. Maybe nestle your wintersowing containers in the mint bed?

Or put mint in the containers, it is worth a try for sure.

I for one, can say those rats are NOT little. LOL They get in my feed room and watch me while I feed, like I'm interrupting them. Yuck. Happy New Year

Here's a funny rat story. We had a fire in a field near us and field rats (which I had never seen before,so didin't even know at first what they were) came into our neighborhood and our cats were teasing them in the back yard. Well, I got my gardening sneakers out of the garage a few days later and put my foot in one and felt something strange in the toe. It startled me so that I yanekd it off my foot and threw it away from me! A rat had crawled in my shoe and died! I promise it was from the smoke inhalation, not the smell of my shoes!

Fortunately that's the only rodent experience I have had so far, but am bracing myself for when we move to our land in Blanco. Already see coon tracks, etc. should be quite an experience for this city girl!

This message was edited Jan 1, 2011 11:07 AM

I would have had a heart attack and never been around to determine the cause of the dead rat!

LOL! I made sure to wash those shoes before I ever wore them again! Gross!