My Best Seed Starting Tips

These are my top five+ seed starting hacks.

1. Make your own seed starting mix.

I make my own seed starting mix. I discovered (after way too long doing it the wrong way) that the potting soil you buy at the store is too dense for fragile seeds.

The ratio is an easy one. 

• 4 parts peat moss (or coconut coir if you're anti peat moss)
• 1 part vermiculite
• 1 part perlite 

Alternate mix:

If you have home grown compost, exchange the peat moss for sifted compost or simply add compost in equal parts to peat moss.

Other additives:

• Azomite dust
• Worm castings
• Leaf mold 

The important thing is to keep the soil very light and airy. I've not had much luck with coconut coir although other people rave about it. I stick to tried and true peat moss and compost.

2 After filling your seed starter trays, always water them deeply BEFORE you sow seeds. 

The reason for this is because peat moss and perlite are hydrophobic. It takes at least 1-2 drenchings to make sure the water has been absorbed by the mix. Water your trays. Let it sit for a few minutes then test for moisture. If still dry, water again.

3 Always write out your plant labels before you plant. 

Trust me. You won't remember if it was the bell pepper or the pimento pepper you just sowed into that last tray.  For writing out tags, I use china markers (otherwise known as grease pencils) because they tend not to fade, but I just ordered the Sharpie Extreme, so I'll let you know how UV and water resistant it was after a year. My choice for labels are cut up strips of old plastic blinds. Works great!

4. Water your tray from the bottom up. 

If you can load your seedling cells into a large tray. Water the tray and not the seedlings. The water will wick up into the pots, and you don't take the chance of drowning more delicate seedlings like dill or onion. 

5. Heat mats and plastic domes create a mini greenhouse. 

If you've ever had trouble getting some seeds to germinate, they might need additional warmth. I use heat mats specifically for pepper and eggplant seeds since they need a little more coaxing to sprout. If the seedlings also need a more humid environment, I cover them with a plastic lid for their first couple of weeks of life. This is especially helpful if you live in a colder environment and want to give your warm weather seedlings a leg up.

Bonus Tip: Toughen up your seedlings

If you've sown your seeds indoors or in a greenhouse, and discover they wilt like daisies once transplanted to the outdoors, they might need a muscle building regimen. I like to put my seedlings outside for a few hours a day. If the weather is too inclement for young shoots, I'll keep them indoors and run a fan on them so they can strengthen their stems. No wimps in my garden.

Do you sow seeds or buy the plants? I still buy plants at garden shows if it's a variety I've not tried before, but for the most part, I sow seeds.

 

In other news: I have a birthday this week. We've been working exceptionally hard for several months so I think we'll go out and celebrate for a change. We don't eat out often anymore, but I think we deserve it. 

I'm almost ready to bring in compost and plants for my latest landscaping project. Yesterday I scrubbed the gutters and painted the eaves since its unlikely we'll be able to get to that side of the house again (without damaging the landscaping). 

It's my fault I'm painting the eaves. I was going to hire someone, but Greg thought I was doing such a good job at the back of the house, he gave me the contract for the front. LOL!

Right now I'm so sore I can barely move, but it's done. I should have the landscaping done by tomorrow and then I can rest for a couple of days thanks to some forecasted rain.

Next week, there's a ton of clean up ahead. The heavy winds and winter storms have brought down or broken a lot of limbs. As soon as we finish the gutters in the front of the house, we'll start walking the acreage and pick up any debris and trim any low hanging branches. There are a few dead trees that need to be felled too so this will be at least a month long job. Hopefully, we can get it done before the heat descends upon us in May.

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