Thought I'd start this thread now since some of you might need to get things ready. I have ordered some seeds and entered them in my journal at DG. http://davesgarden.com/journal/edit/viewbycat.php?cat=45157
I plan to enter updates and notes as they progress. And even some pictures, like how they look as they sprout onto blooming plants.
I also have a book titled "From Seed to Bloom" that I can look up seeds if anyone needs info on the seeds they will be starting.
I don't know if I can find it, but years ago I had a garden magazine that had the plans for making a seed starting shelf unit out of PVC pipe, my husband made 2 of them, they each hold 4 flats. They are under my basement steps out of the way but not out of sight, so I can check my babies as I go up the stairs. I also have shop lites on a timer.
Happy garden dreams to all!
Spring seed starting (indoors)
I found the article on the PVC stand, Credit goes to Garden Gate, Premier Issue
Hope it is readable.
ooh - thanks for that schematic. I have a completely rattletrap operation going in my cellar. This looks way better.
I might end up planting some indoor plant seeds that I ordered while ordering the others last fall. Only one at the moment that I can think of is Coleus. Last year I had an indoor seed planting operation going on. I sowed Coleus, tomatoes and radishes. My tomato plants went really crazy and I had a lot of them. I ended up only putting about 8 of them in to the actual garden and they weren't big producers. Most of them were Romas. I love them and can eat right off the vine. I am hoping to do better with them this year.
My radishes didn't do much either. The coleus germinated loads of little sprouts. By the time I got through setting them outdoors and trying to plant, I ended up with only one that has lived and is putting on a beautiful show for me this winter. I will take a picture of it latler on and post.
Yesterday and today I have invested a few hours in tending to my indoor plants. I still have several that need repotting, but will do that later this week. I have a doctors appointment at 3 today. I am seeing a Neurologist to see if I will be diagnosed with a type of Muscular Dystrophy that my dad, uncle, brother and cousin all have or did have. I was kind of hoping that it would pass me by since all of these people are males.
When I began Physical Therapy during December, the Physical Therapist wanted me to be checked by a Neurologist in order to draw up a plan of action for me. I have been aware that having this disease would be a possibility for me, but have never had any of the symptoms until last summer. I am not sure how I am feeling about it. I guess that I am in sort of a shock mood much like I was when I was told I had breast cancer.
Sorry to take over this thread with this. I probably ought to post a new thread and say that it is off topic. I am gonna do that. By writing I might be able to sort out some of my feelings about it.
Ruby
Y. I really like this setup as I don't have to worry about them rusting in the damp basement. The 2nd one my husband made I sugessted that he not glue all the parts together just in case we want to take them apart to move it out of the basement, like if we move. We have been here 34 years, so fat chance of us moving unless it to a retirement home.
Ruby I'd love to see a picture of your coleus, it is one plant I have seeds to start. I use to grow tomato plants from seed but now I can find the verity I want in plant and I only need 2 to 4 plants to meet our needs.
Ruby, take care, you don't need any more on your plate!
Hi LG...........get much snow way up north there in Albion? Just an inch or two here down south in Springboro. Are you a member of the Albion Garden Club? I bought a bunch of plants at their sale last spring. I got a cup plant there but didn't know what it was at the time. It grew to 5-6 feet tall and really surprised me.
Here's a pic....
early_bloomer
Hi EB ! Not much snow at all here, same as you. Had to go to Mentor Ohio today for my treatment, good thing it was not yesterday they had over a foot of snow and white out conditions. One of the nurses said it was terrible getting to work.
I was a Garden club member a long time ago, In fact 2 term president and before that vice pres. gave it up when I went to work full time. Not enough hours in the day, and the hours left had to go into my own garden.
Nice plant, looks like it's happy there. Doesn't it go by another name? I was going to go to their plant sale but just wasn't up to doing a lot of gardening last year. Maybe this year!
Chris
Hi Chris............It's also known as Carpenter Weed.
Wow, I didn't realize they had that much snow over there. I was caught near Cleveland at the end of March 05 when we had that wet heavy 18" plus snowfall. An hour and 20 minute drive took over 3 hours that night . It sure tore up the white pines in my yard and the cherry trees in my woods.
I hope your treatments are going well and your troubles are behind you.
Photo of my back yard..........March 30, '05
early_bloomer
My husband got me all the materials to make the pvc stand for Christmas -- there is a color schematic for it I found on-line that is very helpful, that I can find if anyone is interested.
But then this forum (http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/683246/) made me think of switching gears. Our local Lowes has shelving for about $70 that I could use instead of the PVC pipe, which I think cost about that much (my husband said he paid a total of $150, including the shop lights, timer, etc.) You might want to check out that discussion -- it is very interesting.
I'd love your thoughts on pvc vs. wire shelving, and anything else besides.
For less than that, Costco has a huge steel wire shelf that has wheels. Very sturdy and I think it would be perfect for starting a whole lot of seeds. The one I have that I use in my pantry is 6 ft by 4 feet by 18 inches. I paid $57 for it. I'm sure the price has gone up some but it wouldn't be that expensive.
For what your husband paid for the pvc setup (pvc is really expensive as a building material) you could get a couple of these and still have plenty left over for lights. Flourescent fixtures aren't expensive at all.
I agree. Costco currently isn't stocking those shelves (they are available on-line though, but I bet shipping is expensive -- I put a link to the Costco shelves in the other thread). I'm guessing the shelves are considered seasonal, though, and might be stocked any day now.
I saw some at the Costco in Winchester about a month ago. They were back in with the tools and hardware. They're really nice shelves - very sturdy and well made and plenty wide enough for seed flats.
The biggest problem I have is finding a spot warm enough for some of the seeds. The basement is out - it's a stone cellar and freezing cold. The kitchen is warm but I don't have anyplace for the flats. I think I'm going to try my guest room, which has a nice, large, south facing window.
The rest I'm going to put outside in my handy dandy plastic greenhouse. You all keep your fingers crossed that I can manage to rig it up so the wind doesn't blow it away.
hart- the guest room sounds best, and pardon me if you already thought of this, but when I've done seedlings, windows can be really hard on them, cuz you'll get hot sun one day that will fry them. use caution for the seedlings and keep the sun for yourself- put a chair there and get a book!! or just gaze upon your lovely green babies
Hmm. Sounds as if I need to drive out to Winchester!!!
Here's the number if you want to make sure they still have them. Watch the hours too - this store isn't open as late as some of the others. 540) 722-9129
It's possible I saw it in Manassas instead of Winchester, but I'm pretty certain it was up here that I saw them. When I did a Google search, I came up with two numbers for that store if you want to check with them. (703) 368-7579 (703) 368-7742
Sally, yes I had but there's a pretty long roof overhang there and I have both blinds and curtains on that window that can be used to keep the plants from frying. In my house, finding a place that's warm enough and has any light at all is more of a problem than too much sun.
For example, other than the window over my kitchen sink, that is the only window on that side of the house. At all. I have another nice big window in my pantry that faces another way and would get less direct sun, but it's way too cold back there. And before you suggest heat mats, old houses aren't wired to allow things to be plugged in very many places either or to allow you to put too much per circuit.
For about sixty dollars I bought enough lumber to make six shelves, each one eight feet long by two feet wide. Each shelf can hold hundreds of pounds. So far only one shelf is for seedlings, though. Maybe I'll post a picture if I ever get the Christmas stuff squared away. . .
Hey Early Bloomer, Getting enough snow yet? We have had white-out conditions on and off so far today. Winter is finally here. I was going to go over to Wal-Mart in Edinboro today but that is going deeper into the snow belt, nothing I really need that bad so I stayed home.
Happy, I went with the PVC because anything metal staying in my basement for a long time will turn to rust. I know the PVC is expensive but it will last almost forever. I even went with plastic storage cabinets because of the rust.
It is still to early to start any seeds in my area, but I do get antsy this time of year to start something green. I can't set any plants out until after Memorial Day, so I just hold off sowing so the plants don't get leggy or out grow their pots.
Chris
ladyg- you could get a nice amaryllis . then you pot it up about now and watch it grow! I actually potted mine last weekend and left them on the deck , it was so warm....then, not now, brrrrrrrrrr. Snow makes me want to bake something, as if a survival gene kicks in for carbohydrates.
(wanted to tell you, you too are much loved in mid atlantic and I'm happy you stayed home and cozy.! hope you are feeling good)
{{{Hugs}}} Sally, This has been an down week, my boss's father passed away on Monday, all the girls at worked loved Dad, we would invite him over when we cooked our staff lunchs/dinners at the office, we would enjoy his stories, he will be deeply missed.
I loved watching amaryllis grow, when I was little I woud take an ink pen and very carefully mark the flower stem just where it came out of the bulb. Then the next day check to see how much it grew.
I also like to bake when it get like is, anyone interested in a recipe for Spanish Bar Cake that is very close to the one that the A&P grocery chain had. Just say so.
Chris
I love recipes any time, any way, so please, pass on your Spanish Bar cake. I am not familiar with the A&P one though . ...
Happy, here is a link to the recipe, it's a very moist spice cake. One of my childhood memories, I was so happy to find this recipe it is so close to the store bought one I remembered. I have tried others but this is the one!
http://davesgarden.com/place/t/685596/
when my step aunt passed away, her daughters found a beautiful poem about a ship sailing away out of view of us, but into view and joyfully received by someone on the other shore.
'Dad" must have really loved all the attention of a bunch of you girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ladygardener1: Thanks for the recipe! I wonder why it is called "Spanish. . . ."
doesn't sound spanish, nor is it in a bar shape. maybe they serve it in spanish bars...!
Sally, The boat sailing away was also spoken about at "Dad's" furneral, too.
When we were at a preChristmas party this last Dec. "Dad" was sitting next to my husband and one of the other girls father, we all starting going to the buffet table, the other men were going to get up to get something to eat and "Dad" said "sit down, with all these woman here someone will get us our plates." and sure enough they were fed "Dad" was 76, years young. You could not be around him without him putting a smile on your face. Such a dear man!
I often asked myself the same ??? But it is very good. Sally, thats a good one LOL
EB Love that picture, and there is that beautiful Pavillion in the backround, that you did last year. The picture you posted of it has so inspired me to try something diferent in my own back yard.
Sally, I just wanted to second your message to ladygardener1. She is very much loved, and has earned the love. Late last summer when I first began posting in here and posted about having a mastectomy, she immediately began a little campaign to make me feel special. I will never forget. I am very much grateful to her. She also has personal experience with breast cancer and can minister to those others who have it.
I also an grateful to her for wanting to see that this forum continue to stay active. We seem to sometimes have lulls in here and no one much is saying anything. It is during those times when she will post a new thread on some very interesting topics. Thank you so much Chris honey. Your efforts have not gone unseen.
Alright, I just said this same thing 5 minutes ago while posting on another thread. I HAVE to get up from this chair and get ready to go and meet son at Sam's Club. I will be back later today. Happy Weekend to you all.
Ruby
Yes Ruby, Once a booby sister always a booby sister! By the way, how is your new one doing? LOL (Edit- Went back and read an older post of your's Ruby- new boob Feb 14th)
And how did I miss this wedding planning, or did you just leave the cat out of the bag?
Have fun shopping at Sam's, I got some great party foods there when my daughter got married.
Chris
This message was edited Jan 20, 2007 11:13 AM
My plant shelves are almost finished hoping to get them done this weekend. They are ancient a friend built them many many years ago, when he stopped using them they went to another friend who used them 1 year. Then they got stuck in some covered outside storage for a couple of years. I just got them a couple of weeks ago. Ric, cleaned them, straighten the bent leg, painted them and is now replacing the lights with new, the old ones were toast. Last year I rooted ornamental Sweet potatoes in a bowl of water, and managed to get a few pumpkins and gourds to grow in one tray. I got bit by the seedling bug really good. Now I can't wait to start and keep thinking about how many plants can I grow.
So, HollyAnn what are you planning to start? Do you have a timer for your lights? 16 hours on- 8 off is what I have mine set at.
I need to get my seed order finished, then order the rest of my supplies, inserts for the trays and seed starting mix.
Have fun!
I do have a timer. I ordered some BioDomes from Park Seed. I have 2 trays w/lids left over from my attempt last year. I also have a lot of very small maybe 2-inch clay pots. They were given to me really cute but I’m not sure how practical. And cell packs from the plants I bought last year. I thought I might use the cell packs for the Sweet Potatoes. Park seed has a book on seed starting I was thinking about getting and I will have to buy a heat mat, too. Do you buy your seed starting mix from a catalog? Where do you get your supplies? Holly
I got some interesting seeds that I wouldn't have thought about growing thru some trades from down south. I have Passionflower, Hibiscus and Amaryllis, guess I'll need a heat mat for them.
I have Morning glories that I harvested my self last year and Lantana from a trade.
I have several packs from last year with different pumpkins, squash and gourds. I thought about seeing if I could get any of them to germinate in a paper towel before I tried planting them.
I have poppies and milkweed and several others that I thought I would just sow directly into the soil.
I would like to start Pansies as soon as I can. Then I will have to figure when I can start the other plants I’m interested in. Here is a list of other things I want to grow from seeds.
Coleus, Marigold (French vanilla), Alyssum, Cenaurea, Celosia, Aster(seastar)
Any helpful suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Holly
I suggest, once you plant some seeds, try NOT to sit there 24/7 until they sprout! but it so exciting to see the bits of green. It's almost like magic, like making life from dust sometimes. Can't seem to make myself decide........what/how /when to start.
I know it really helps germination if you nick or file the passiflora seeds. Other than that, they're pretty easy.
You'll find a lot of information per plant on growing from seeds at the wintersown.org site. You can also try looking them up by plant on Google. For example coleus germination, hibiscus germination, etc. Thompson & Morgan's website also has germination info for many seeds.
I think the most important thing to look for is whether they need light or darkness to germinate and whether they need stratification (a period of cold) or scarification (nicking or filing.) You should also be able to find info on the ideal germination temperature for that seed.
Oh you should have seen me last year with my Sweet potato. I put it in water and every day I would check the sprouts seeing if they were big enough to pull lose and then I put them in small vases of water to grow roots and then I moved them to potting soil in old cell packs. I had so many to give away. I hope I do as good this year. I was obsessed.
Just placed the rest of my seed orders. Gosh I need to stop, I have way too many seeds! Think I'll start a "Want to try Next year 2008" List
HollyAnn, Park carries the regular old starting trays, with inserts, domes ect. I stick with them as they carry the inserts, and are standard size. I have only 3 domes and that is enough as I stager my seed starting. And remove the domes when the seeds are off to a good start. I recycle everything except the inserts as they are hard to clean and usually get beat up at planting time.
One thing I have, that I love is a hand held pump mister, it helps in watering the young seedlings and also to settle the new seeds into the cells, pouring water on them will sometimes dislodge the seeds and cause them to float.
I order my seed starting Mix from Gardeners supply www.gardeners.com The mix has never let me down, I have been using it for 10 years.
A note about the Alyssum, I just direct sow mine, and now they self-sow, they do catch up to the ones that you start under lights. You might want to save the space and use it for something else.
And let my know how the Lantana does, I have been thinking about it, but decided to buy a plant and take cuttings.
I'll be adding my seed order to my DG journal so I can keep track of starting, germination and setting out date and also how the plant do over the growing season.
Let the fun begin!
Hart, I was going to mention Thompson & Morgan's website, I was impressed with the information they gave. Thanks for adding that.
I will have my seed starting table in a second floor room. The bath on the second floor is going thru a remodeling so I won't have any water up there. I was thinking a hand pump sprayer would be easy to carry up and down the steps and the fine spray mist would work well for the seeds.
I rather not buy a book if I don't have to. That's more money I can spend for plants. Thanks for the pointing me to the Thompson and Morgan site.
I've always pretty much bought plants and planted them. I am worried about direct sowing. May sound dumb but I wonder if I'll weed the plants I want to keep and let the weeds grow instead.
If you can't get the information you need on a seed you will be starting, I could look it up in a book I have.
LOL, We have all pulled up plants and seedlings thinking they were weeds, I am getting to the point I can spot a weed seedling a mile away, and when you start growing your own seeds you'll start to reconize the plant seedlings too.
The sprayer is a great idea, keep it full, it's a good idea to let the water get to room temp, so you don't shock the young plants.