Starting garden plants indoors?

[SheWoff]

Confession: I usually buy my tomato and pepper plants for the garden! :shock::shock: BUT...with money being so tight and seed so cheap, it would make more sense to try and learn how to start my own plants. I know I can't be the only one here either that needs to learn this skill before TSHTF, so would one of you experienced gardeners mind walking us through this?
Thanks!! :-D

She

[Navajo]

Yes would recommend you start learning how to grow from seed. It isn't as easy as it sounds. You are adding a new items into your life that requieres(sp) daily care and attention.

water, food, amount of sunlight, temp, sickness are all things you have to learn about and be aware of daily.

Find a good book are do some searches on line.

Your planting time will depend on where you live, get to know some local growers, fresh food sellers that have small gardens they sell food from. Most of them sell seeds and will tell you when to start planting in your location.


Plant twice as much as you think you will need, plants sometimes vary in quality and you'll be able to choose the best sprouts for planting.

Good soil is a must. You'll want to learn about PH and temp of soil for best results.

Make looking after your plants a part of your daily routine is best.

[RevDoc]

Probably the easiest way to get seeds started for replanting, is to sow them in a tray or pan. Commercial potting soil is mostly peat moss. It is light, and holds moisture very well, however, fragile roots are hard to remove from it when time to transplant, so most gardeners simply cut the moss into cubes and transfer the whole root ball.

Sowing is quite easy. I have a number of clear plastic trays from Wal*Mart, about 5" deep. I use a compost mix (see January Greenhouse thread) about 3 inches deep. I pack it down firmly with a plaster hod, as it happens to fit the tray perfectly.

Sprinkle the seed over the surface, leaving about a 1" spacing if the seed is very fine, or poke small depressions with your finger or a board with spaced dowels glued to it, and drop in the seed. The spacing and planting depth is usually printed on the seed packet, but usually, you can leave the seed on top of the soil, and it will sprout just fine.

When seed is planted in rows, it is properly referred to as drilled. A drilled row for most seed is little wider than the seed. Peas, however, do much better if planted in a wide drill, about 2 inches across. Several other plants do better with a companion plant. Watermelon, squash, and runner beans adore maize.

Most seed will sprout within 10 days. Thin where you got a bit heavy handed after a week or so. After 4-6 weeks, the seedlings will be ready to move to a cold frame to harden off, then transplanted to their bed or drill straight into the garden, depending on the weather and variety.

The hardest thing about all this, is the watering.
I'll go down swinging before I give up my Haws watering can. The secret is in the water rose on the end if the spout. Gentle tiny drops, because these are gentle tiny babies.

Should you decide to use grow lamps, use 4' full spectrum bulbs. I like T5 bulbs in the 4100-6000 degree color range for vegetables, and 4000 range for flowers. As they don't give off heat, you don't have to move them up and down like in the old days.

Commercial greenhouses plant in plastic containers because first; it saves on potting mix, second; it's easier to handle, and third; they make it easy to sell individual plants. Most vegetables are raised in a small hot house and moved to that pretty greenhouse for you to pick up and buy. Marketing has proven a person will buy more plants if they're displayed in a full, flower filled greenhouse, than on a shelf in a store...especially if there is someone spraying water on plants just as you walk in. The kids are trained to do this.

Seedlings don't really need any kind of fancy lights or south windows, or greenhouses, for that matter. Whatever light and heat you find comfortable, works for plants, too. I start a lot of plants in an unused bedroom when space gets short in the greenhouse.

[ejagno]

I am just sick. Sick I tell ya!

I sowed over 50 seed pots a week ago. Night before last I had to bring my dogs in due to the hard freeze we had. My young pit/lab mix completely destroyed all of them. He had a blast. There was dirt and seed pots absolutely everywhere.

[morningstar]

Yes, I've learned the hard way to put the starts up high enough that my beagel doesn't do the same thing you've described.:cry:

[morningstar]

Last year I went out and bought an inexpensive plastic shelving system from Walmart, maybe $19. Then I bought (2) florescent hanging lights (like for garages) that were $7 each and hung them from the shelves. This was nice because I could hang the lights very close to the plants and adjust the lights as the plant grew.

A small heater in the room was also used to keep the temp in that room a little warmer than the rest of the house. I put the whole setup in my dining room and had good success.

[momof23goats]

I start seeds every year. start them on top of my fridge .always have. but I also am doing them all over the kitchen really. i will use my lights that I have for baby chicks. well, i have several. I just use dirt, and I mix store bought in with it. and put into trays. or a box, lined with plastic. anything really. I will be starting the end of next month.

[Nicho1]

Depending on where you live, you may want to try "direct seeding." That is "the art" of sowing directly into the garden. This has been successful for me for tomatoes and green peppers. Cut off the bottom of 2L clear soda bottles. The green colored ones won't work because they filter out some of the light waves. Plant about 5 seeds in a spot and then push the soda bottle over the seeds. Leave the cap off the bottle for ventilation and also ease of watering. It's like creating a little greenhouse on that spot. When the plants begin growing, leave the "greenhouse" in place until they are well up. I have left them until the plants are nearly to the top of the bottle. Then, when you remove the bottle, you can thin down to the hardiest plant and even transplant the ones that would be culled. I usually plant these in mid-April. In a test, I used the direct seed method and also bought young plants to see which did the best. There really wasn't any difference. Give it a test yourself and see how it works. It's actually quite satisfying. Then, when you feel confident, save seeds for the following year and you're all set.

[Limner]

Nicho, what region do you live in? Just wondering if this would work in Indiana....

[Torentelli]

The very first thought should be the seeds. What kind of seeds are you going to want. And maybe more importantly...What about the future?

We bought heirloom seeds this time because WTSHTF it will become necessary to have seeds that we can save from. We bought the open pollinated-high germination survival seeds with super start seed solution. This (with shipping) cost $143. The container can be buried and dug up 20 years later and they can be planted & will grow. This container will plant a full acre. ( Survivalseeds.com )

Planting in good (germ free) soil is a must along with containers that have been sterilized to prevent mold, mildew, etc.

Tomato plants like a cozy, warm soil to start and then they love that light.

Home grown fertilizer is good....you need to bake it so that you will not be bringing in contaminates. A mix can be store bought or homemade. I prefer a mixture of both.

T

[jolara]

For my indoor starter plants, I like to make the newspaper pots that was so gratefully explained to me by AngelDance. http://www.thetreeofliberty.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14381&highlight=newspaper+pots

I did my tomatoes and other transplantable veggies this way last year and they were great. Especially when I transplant my tomatoes 3 times before they get planted in the actual garden. This year I made small pots, med. ones and the biggest are about 4" - 5" in diameter. I will do the tomatoes in the graduated sizes for less transplanting shock.

[Berean]

She - Last year was the first time I tried to start tomatoes and peppers myself. I did have much trouble with the tomatoes but had a terrible time with the peppers. I just bought a seed heating mat last week and hope that will help with peppers. (I don't think the tomatoes will mind either). I think I just didn't have the soil or room temperature warm enough for the peppers.

[Regency Lass]

I just bought a seed heating mat last week and hope that will help with peppers. (I don't think the tomatoes will mind either). I think I just didn't have the soil or room temperature warm enough for the peppers.

Heat will certainly help germinate those little seeds. :-D But seed heating mats can seem quite expensive when one is on a tight budget and barely making ends meet. I find that a cheap heating pad set on low and covered with a plastic trash bag, just in case water leaks, works just as well when placed under the seed tray. I've found a couple of used heating pads for a dollar at the goodwill / salvation army thrift stores. Now before you say "ewwww", note that I don't use them on myself or my family, but they work perfectly for seed starting and for warming up chilled critters. :-)

Right now I have asparagus (for yet another bed), broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, and onions growing...just to name a few, all growing in the family room. One of these days I'm going to have to get a greenhouse... :lol:

[Limner]

For my indoor starter plants, I like to make the newspaper pots that was so gratefully explained to me by AngelDance. http://www.thetreeofliberty.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14381&highlight=newspaper+pots

I did my tomatoes and other transplantable veggies this way last year and they were great. Especially when I transplant my tomatoes 3 times before they get planted in the actual garden. This year I made small pots, med. ones and the biggest are about 4" - 5" in diameter. I will do the tomatoes in the graduated sizes for less transplanting shock.

Jolara, THANKS for that link! I thought I had to buy one of those wooden forms they sell in the catalogs to make the pots. YEAH!!!I can make a buncha these pots with just what I have in the house NOW! :razz:

[david57]

with your seeds http://www.seedsave.org/

[Berean]

Heat will certainly help germinate those little seeds. :-D But seed heating mats can seem quite expensive when one is on a tight budget and barely making ends meet. I find that a cheap heating pad set on low and covered with a plastic trash bag, just in case water leaks, works just as well when placed under the seed tray. I've found a couple of used heating pads for a dollar at the goodwill / salvation army thrift stores. Now before you say "ewwww", note that I don't use them on myself or my family, but they work perfectly for seed starting and for warming up chilled critters. :-)

Right now I have asparagus (for yet another bed), broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, peppers, and onions growing...just to name a few, all growing in the family room. One of these days I'm going to have to get a greenhouse... :lol:

I agree. I've been planning and setting aside money for a while for this. I might try the bought mat up against a heating pad and see how that works.

[savingmykids]

just a thought for next years seedlings
wintersowing is the best thing and easiest
veggies work also
http://wintersown.org/

I have a small greenhouse, but I still wintersow my flowers both annuals and perennials

starting veggie seeds in the house, don't give up if it didnt work the first
time--keep trying
the rewards are fantastic

I remember my first years starting seeds in the house, root rot was a big
thing I had trouble with--then I discovered cinnamon and chemolle tea
those 2 items were a must

[kelee877]

I am starting mine for indoor growth tomorrow...I am setting up my small indoor green house and will be hanging the grow lights inside...then for a bit of time the rest is up to the seeds....

[TKD_Kid2]

I am just sick. Sick I tell ya!

I sowed over 50 seed pots a week ago. Night before last I had to bring my dogs in due to the hard freeze we had. My young pit/lab mix completely destroyed all of them. He had a blast. There was dirt and seed pots absolutely everywhere.

I want to start mine now but I'm afraid of the same results with my cats. I like taking the pop bottle idea cause that way I can at least modify it so the cats don't get into it.

[Spike n Ree]

We hope to have a green house in a couple of months from now at the back yard up close to the back door.


Yet i've often wondered, just how much land or plants does it take to feed a person for an entire year?

On the news a couple years back, a former worker for Burpee seeds says she grows house tomatoes and harvests them in the winter from plant pots, so I tried the pepper called pizza (mild) and they are doing great in a plant pot, I already sampled one and we have two left and more blossoms starting. - Ree