Let’s take a peek at what’s happening in the seed-starting dungeon. I’m planting Gomphocarpus (family jewels plant), potting a new tropical plant I have no business owning and potting up snapdragons. And then we’ll take a look at what I’m growing.
If this video seems slightly clunky, I apologize. I accidentally deleted some footage along the line so we missed a few bits.
——- G E A R ———–
○ Hose nozzle: https://amzn.to/3JYfK2J
○ My soil tray: https://bit.ly/solitray
○ Another soil tray: https://amzn.to/41B4r8D
○ Concrete mixing tray: https://bit.ly/3kDesl2
○ Soil scoop (aka 50-ounce ice scoop): https://amzn.to/3KJo7Rq
○ My favorite timer: https://amzn.to/3Y9huLv
○ Wire shelving unit: https://amzn.to/3SyrrRz
○ Mylar reflective film (to wrap shelving unit): https://amzn.to/3ZqyhdP
○ My favorite grow light: https://bit.ly/LEDT5growlight
————- A B O U T ———–
My name is Erin and I love sharing inspiration and information with real-life gardeners. I live and garden in southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5b.
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🌿 My favorite potting soil (Organic Mechanics peat-free Container blend): https://bit.ly/containerblend
🌿 My favorite soil amendment: https://bit.ly/biocharblend
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21 Comments
thank you!
Looks great! I love starting seeds and I may start some perennials next year. I do all my vegetables from seeds and I don’t have much in the way of lights or heat mats. All in all I’m doing great thanks to my south facing windows providing lots of sunshine, my unheated sunroom and a wonderful husband that puts up with my craziness this time of year. I had a Meyer lemon that I overwintered inside and it lost every single leaf but when I put it outdoors in the warm weather it sprouted all new leaves and it was amazing to watch. Growing citrus indoors is very challenging and for me quite frustrating to see all the leaves dropping, but when I’m adding my limes to my fav beverage …it’s all good. Thanks for sharing your seed journey.
When do you start fertilizing your seedlings? I've heard after they get at least 4 sets of true leaves and then only like 1/4 strength till planted outside. I've planted hundreds of flowers with soil blocks on the 17th and 20th. They are really starting to take off finally, but tiny. I have my grow lights about 2 1/2 inches so they don't stretch. I noticed your lights are way up high. When should I put mine up higher? I just don't want an epic fail bc of a mistake. I did notice a lil bugger stuck in water this morning. I'm almost certain it was a gnat. How on earth that bugger got there is beyond me. It was on a tray that still has the plastic wrap on till a few more germinate. I've been diligently looking twice a day for bugs. I have a fan blowing pretty hard on them too. I saw no other signs, but now I'll be on the extra alert as I've heard they are hard to get rid of. I have the yellow sticky things but haven't put them on yet feeling it will attract gnats. Guess I better whip them out.😅 Everything is looking great. Thanks for sharing 😊
Asters don't like heat mats, just fyi.
I love that you try & fail, as most of us can totally relate…
when will you start your dahlias? I am fairly sure I started mine too early…lol
Erin! It is still a little shocking to me to hear that your last frost date is in May. After growing up in Canada, living for many years in Chicago, I'm now gardening in coastal Georgia. I put my tomatoes in the ground about three weeks ago after starting them from seed. Isn't that crazy?!! It is my first year actually growing anything down here but, I am still surprised when I remember not everyone is as far along. It was pushing it because we had a couple low nights immediately after, and I won't say they've put on a ton of growth yet but, they're in which always feels like summer to me. Fingers crossed they don't melt in the humidity 🤞🤞
I know you aren’t considering a greenhouse, and while I’d agree that they’re not all that helpful for seed starting, they are invaluable for overwintering and hardening off (as you know). I bet just keeping it in the 40s would be enough to keep your citrus alive. That’s all I strive for in the cold frame/greenhouse my husband built using old doors and windows. I keep my hanging baskets and big Boston fern and other potted cold-sensitive things that don’t go fully dormant in it and it’s great! Seed starting was a fail, but there’s no room in it now anyway 😅 Just a small structure is all you’d need. Figure out a rain barrel situation and you’re golden.
I tried 20-row seed trays for the first time this year in order to save space on my grow shelves, as well as save compost (lest some seeds not germinate). I started all kinds of things in them: statice, strawflowers, lavender, thyme, oregano, delphiniums, larkspur, snaps, purslane, rudbeckia, yarrow, celery etc. Basically, they're great for things with small to tiny seeds which don't make tap roots. I left my celery in their row for a month before potting up without any issues with stunted growth, and a single row had about 50 plants. I'd highly recommend trying these trays if you have space limitations.
I’m in southeastern Wisconsin too. When do you normally start your seeds?
Caught a glimpse of your timer with built in plugs strip. Where did you find that?!!
I just saw on another you tube channel this morning that asters don’t like heat mats. Maybe take them off the mat, and maybe they will germinate? May be worth a try.
The 4-pack pots the Lavender are in are interesting. Will have to look at other vids or storefront.
I regret not starting Sweet Pea. Half-tempted to find seeds today but I'm in 5b – IDK
Thank you for sharing your setup and progress. I too have a tray of mixed plants that are growing at different rates and I specifically chose them based on their germination times, they still came up at different times. I see that you are using vermiculite, i am discovering it is a godsend for what I grow. I am finding it a challenge to keep my foxglove seedlings alive, i can’t seem to keep up with their watering or spritzing. I have a fan that is on all the time. What is your trick?
I really want verbena bampton after hearing you talk about it so I got the seeds, and am hoping they will come up. I started them on March 10 and today’s the 21st and I got nothin’ so far. The packet said 10-30 days so I guess I still have a chance.
Hi, I like to look at all your videos.
Can you please tell me What you say about your ”must grow? Salvia What?? I did not notice the hole name.
Best Regards Helene in sweden
I have both traditional milkweed and Oscar HB and I can tell you that the monarch ladies LOVE LOVE LOVE the HB. I had over 20 cats on the HB plants and zero on the traditional milkweed.😮
Looking good!! Do you remember the name of the lavender??
Erin,
I won't mention citrus if you don't mention Wintergreen, lol. I LOVE Wintergreen plants, but all they do for me is die! 😥 I've vowed–no more buying Wintergreen…..for now. 😉
Erin,
Spanish lavender = Anouk (think I spelled it right). Love that variety! 😊
My Madame Butterflies are not sprouting I’ve followed directions on the seed packet Luckily I have seeds left I’m going to try again 😢