What seed starting supplies are essential and what supplies are just nice to have? Join us as we provide a complete breakdown of seed starting supplies from soil, trays, heat mats, and domes. We’ll tell you the best soil to use and the advantages of using trays with smaller cells.
We’ll tell you when and how to use heat mats for seed starting, and then we’ll continue along with our spring seed starting schedule by getting our peppers planted.
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44 Comments
Does promix have fert in it? U use it as a seed starting mix huh. Not to put words in your mouth but I agree I personally think mixing your own soil benefits is over stated
I grow my seeds out in a tote in one of the unused bedrooms in our house. I always start with new seed starting mix, and I do use the trays, but I also use a 3/4" piece of plywood on top of the tote with a hole cut in the top and have one of those chrome/aluminum drop lights mounted in the plywood. As far as the light goes, I buy the LED lights that are equivalent to 100watts. The number you really need to pay close attention to is the Brightness of em which is the Lumens. I chose to get the Daylight bulbs that have 1680 Lumens and I constantly run two lights at a time, which puts me over the 2000 lumens minimum.
I've used the shop lights before and they work ok and at the time, I was able to grow enough starts to actually give some away that I had left over that wasn't going to be placed in my personal garden. The one thing I miss about my shop lights, Is my shop light was 4 feet long, the tote I'm using is only 2 feet long so I had to switch my light source. BUT, I also included a christmas rope light inside the bottom of my tote and put my seed trays on top of it for a heat source until they got started. The rope light makes a huge difference in starting my pepper seeds now. I was able to have germination for hot peppers within a weeks time.
I made a seed starting rack a few years back. I took a 30"x14"x60" tall wire rolling rack, and attached 3 of the 24" Barrina LED Full Spectrum "Sunlight" Gro-lights to the bottom of the top rack and the rack below that. I use a 10×20" heat mat and controller for some seeds to give them that early kick start. I put a cut piece of 1" rigid foam insulation under the heat mat to keep as much heat on the seedling tray as I can. I do start in Garland trays with either the 12, 24 or cut up Prop-Tek cell trays in the Garland Trays. I use a clear "dome" to keep the humidity high until the seeds start to pop. I also use the big 162 and 144 cell Prop-Tek trays in an XL Garland base tray, but mostly use the smaller trays. I took 2 of my 144 cell Pro-Tek 10×20 trays and cut smaller tray units out of them. I made some 6 cell mini-trays, 15 cell mini-trays, 30, and 60 cell mini-trays that all fit the Garland base trays. As to lights, I've had very good luck with those Barrina LED lights. They are not pure "shop light" white, but are a Daylight light with a little pink tint (but not that horrible "burple" some light give off). I have some house plants under 2 of those 24" lights year round and have never had an issue with the houseplants or the seed starting rack using those lights. I use extra pieces of the 1" insulation to raise my trays up to the lights instead of trying to lower the lights, it's just easier IMO. If I keep the plants close to the lights until up-potting, I end up with some nice sturdy stock plants. I up-pot tomatoes, peppers, and egg plant, but most everything else I start in a cell tray gets put out as a plug. I can talk for a long time, but I've said enough for today so I'll leave it at that. Here are the lights I use (and I've bought them 3 times so I clearly like them!!!). A set of 6 of the 24" lights (24 watts each) is $69 as of today. You can couple them to make 48" lights if you want and you can chain them to power up to 12 sets off a single timer/plug. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B082ZL1Q63
You knocked it out of the park again Travis. I started some tomatoes and peppers today to. I don't have the setup you have Travis, but I have a heat mat and a couple grow lights and it's worked pretty good for a couple years. I also planted some potatoes in one of my raised beds today, an experiment. I might be jumping the gun but I have potatoes growing I planted in December and went through the deep freeze. I covered them with soil and leaves and took it off when we thawed out. I need to pull some some dirt to them and hopefully I'll be able to do that tomorrow before the cold we're supposed to get over the weekend.
I use the spider-farm sf600 veg light. its a 74w, excellent light. does not produce any or very little heat which is important when you put your lights about 2-3 inches above the trays when seeds first come up and you can adjust upward as the plants grow taller. So true, invest in heavy duty seed trays and bottom trays. You will thank your self.
Travis what do you think about germinating in baggies and a papertowel
Thanks for the info, lots of good stuff to go with. Trying the indoor seed starting in earnest, kinda in the "learning to ride the bicycle" part, but getting there.
Excellent video! We live in Tallahassee and it is time to plant seeds. New SunPad heat mat should arrive today. I make my own seed starting mix on a 4/1/1 ratio (peat, perlite, vermiculite). This year I selected my tomatoes and peppers based on your recommendations. Keep up the good work.
I also like top watering when starting seeds but I do bottom water when established sometimes but not always if the top drys out and becomes hydrophobic it works well so you don't wait for water to soak in
I use both shop lights with 5000 lumens and 5000 to 6500 Kelvin mine are 6400 also have shop lights with led conversion bulbs same lumens and Kelvin as florescent bulbs and led grow lights they all work equally well for starts but if continuing to grow inside I would recommend led grow lights but do your research for those a lot to digest when it comes to the best kind of light as far as what colors and spectrum
Good solid info! Great job Travis
Great information
Put your 162 trays in a trash bag on a heat mat and cover with a blanket to help with germination
So far we do not have the luxury of a greenhouse. A few years ago we went to grow lights and definitely the best move in getting the seeds germinated and going strong indoors. We have purchased our grow lights from Gardeners Supply Company. Growers Solutions is also another good source. Initially the grow lights may appear to be a bit pricey. We are now several years and with the exception of having to change a couple of bulbs (T5) no other out of pocket expense. Because we grow indoors we use the bottom watering system. Picked up on the possibility and vermiculite being a plus in bottom watering so we will try that when we start our peppers and tomatoes. As always another informative video and Thank You Travis for sharing!
This is great, thank you! Seed starting has been the hardest for me to get the hang of. Honestly, your guys' videos through the years have helped me be more successful!
Great information!
Some advice for those new to germinating their own seeds: You can easily test which germination medium works best for you. Sow identical seeds in two different sets of germination containers and fill each container with your different germination mediums. Then, all you have to do is observe the results.
You can also do a separate test to compare if vermiculite or perlite works best for you. Same procedure except use two separate containers using identical germination mediums and seeds. Then, cover the seeds on one container with perlite and the other with vermiculite. Observe the results.
Always enjoy your tips and videos.
I start indoors so if anyone can advise please do. Do I turn my grow lights on before the seeds germinate? They are under a dome and it stays consistently 70 to 72 degrees.
I used small styrofoam cups for about 3 years (yes, I cleaned and reused them for environmental reasons) when I first started seed starting. The first year I used a cheap plastic seed starting tray I got at a big box store but it just fell apart, so I went to the styrofoam. Last year I finally got a good proptek tray and it is really nice — easier to store and clean, plus a smaller foot print. I still use styrofoam cups for things that need potting on.
I really like using pro mix also I bought the 162 trays a few years ago and I really like them for cost-wise stepping my plants up I just use solo cups it's a lot cheaper to buy a big pack of solo cups
I have been using cheap LED shop lights for a few years now and they work great for me just make sure to get some 5,000 to 6,000K lights 5-6000K mimics natural sunlight. You don't need to buy very expensive grow lights of any kind not for seed starting at least
finally got one of these been two long seems way more space saving then the 4" pots i use..
Which ProMix soil do you use for seed starting?
TRAVIS I read through the comments and no one asked so I will lol… WHERE on God's Great 'MERICA are you buying BX for 35 buck? I did some searching last week and the absolute cheapest I found it was Ace Hardware they have to order it in but it's $54.99 there folks better than 90 buck online plus shipping… PLEASE HELP! Thanks again and many blessings this GIANT L.D.F. fam we love all ya'll!🤙🇺🇸🙏
Stop do not do as he did, that was not the right Dog bucket, it will never work 😟
Hey there. Do your trays have a big enough hole at bottom to get your finger in? Those cheap ones are horrible.
What type of perlite do you use?
Good advice about washing your hands after touching pepper seeds. I will also suggest doing the same when ya eat crawfish.
Travis, Thanks for the seed starting overview. I have been using a combination of grow lights with warm fluorescent bulbs. Using those 162 cell Proptek propagation trays, keeping the medium moist is a daily check. Using a clear plastic bag, cut to cover the trays, works as a moisture retention cover. All the best to you and your family.
Hey Travis, so which one of the Promix mixtures do you use for seed starting? From what I see on Amazon, there appears to be several different kinds of Promix. Could you give me the specific type? Thanks!
Thanks Trav. Y'all's videos have been so helpful. I wish I could've learned these skills when I was younger. It's so much harder when you're an old fogie like me. Keep up the great work and give those kiddos a great big hug for us all. You guys are awesome!
Every videos one's lessons 💪👍as always thanks Travis!! Have a great weekend in family!
Full spectrum LED grow lights for me. Great video. Thanks Travis!
Great job on this tutorial video Travis ♡
Lol! Fire in your britches!😂😂😂 That's hilarious!
I make my own seed starting mix using coir bricks, worm castings, and vermiculite. 1 brick, plus 4 cups each of worm castings and vermiculite works great for me. I have an indoor setup with a 4 foot wide 5 shelf rack, 4 foot long LED shoplights on 4 of the shelves, that are 4700 lumens and 5000 kelvin on chains to raise and lower them. I have 2 small tray size heat mats for starting warm weather seeds, all plugged into a power strip connected to a timer.
Shop lights do work but you need to get 5000k for good starts. Make sure not to use anything less than 5000k , 3500 makes leggy plants. Led grow lights are better as they’re full spectrum. I’ve been growing vegetables inside for a few years and build my own led lights so I know just enough to be dangerous haha. Don’t fall for the high prices of “grow lights” for starting seeds. Now with led shop lights in the right color spectrum it’s less expensive and works just as well. Years back with fluorescent tubes you also didn’t need grow lights. Seedlings do great with 5000k, no less than 4000k. For a half tray a couple 100w equivalent cfl at 5000k also works great.
Bottom watering is essential with many flower seeds due to their extremely small size and need for light exposure to germinate. Our regional commercial flower greenhouse has integrated shallow concrete pools throughout their facility.
Another great instructional video from you… thanks so much. I always learn something new every time I watch.
Do you use a heater in your greenhouse?
I may have missed it above and if so I apologize, what is the little song at the end of the video?
I actually use 4 inch pots but I plant 8-10 seeds in a pot, because it takes up less space than a 72 cell tray and it does not dry out as fast. I have fewer empty cells. I don't need 72 of the same thing, so I can get more different plants using the 4 inch square pots. Square pots use space better than round pots. In the same space I have more varieties and more total plants are possible.
Adding that you are growing in Georgia is best info ever!
How long do you keep your seedlings (tomatoes and peppers) on a heat mat?
Quarter inch hardware cloth sifter can give you a proper seed starting homemade mix.