Seed starting for the backyard gardener and GBBD post

It's the 15th, which means gardeners all over the world are snapping photos for Garden Blogger's Bloom Day. Head over the May Dreams Gardens' blog to see what else is blooming this (almost officially) spring day.

Quiet excitement ensues indoors as well, as yesterday was seed starting day. Though I've tried many different methods, the one I'm about to show you is a near perfected system that fits my needs perfectly. I love all the kits, trays, and other paraphernalia available in catalogs, and have made many an excuse to buy things in the name of "making an investment". Most of the gear I've purchased has gone straight to the recycling bin. Our Master Gardener class speaker last week, Shephard Ogden (founder of Cook's Garden - and in the running for most enthusiastic speaker thus far - and that's saying a lot!), conveyed his fondness for plug trays for seed starting. Though I would love to have trays of seedlings, my biggest issue is that I have a small garden.

Yesterday, I started the first wave of seeds - they included: 3 black krim tomatoes, 3 Japanese black trifele tomatoes, 3 gold medal tomatoes, 3 tam jalapeno, 4 genovese basil, 3 cayenne peppers, 3 pepperoncini, and 6 strawberry fields gomphrena. Now like many people, my seedlings go under grow lights after germination - and as we know, the plants should be VERY close to the light source - about 1-2 inches. The biggest problem with plug trays for a small backyard gardener is that different plants germinate and grow at different rates and heights. If I had a tray of 24 peppers, I would not have an issue. But a tray with odds and ends means shorter plants are not right under the lights - which will certainly lead to leggy plants, which no one wants.

My assistant and I began by adding water to the seed starting mix. A soilless mix is best to use to ensure the environment is sterile for seed starting - cause you know...FUNGUS (if you're following my posts - you know I've become a fungus freak)! It's best to add water because it takes some time for the seed starting material to soak up the water. It will also increase in volume, so I let the mixture sit before filling my pots.

These are leftover pots from when I bought a gazillion a few years ago. When I run out, I will look into cow pots or another similar product made from easily renewable/sustainable materials. I love the size of these pots because they allow plants to grow for several weeks before having to pot up - and many times, they can go in the ground, as is, without have to pot up at all. These pots sit in plastic carry-out containers - a great excuse to order lots of Indian food in the late winter. I jest (sort of ), because these containers have been used for several years now, and will last many more. 6 pots fit perfectly inside the recycled container. The plant tags are 1/4 of a popsicle stick.

Below, the seedlings are covered with Glad Press 'n Seal (just about the only thing this product is good for!). Small vents are snipped in the top. The seedlings sit on a waterproof tray with a flat bottom so they can enjoy the warmth of the heating pad below. I will check on these every day to be sure they're not too sweaty underneath. If so, I'll make more vents or lift a corner. As soon as the seeds germinate, I'll take them off of the heat and put them under the grow light. The ones that haven't germinated will stay put (another benefit of separate pots in the cheap black trays).

This is how my seedlings are set up after they germinate (this photo is from the vault). I love using the separate square pots because I can move them around in different containers depending on how fast they grow, and how tall they get. The lights will stay in one spot, but I boost the short plants up with books so they can all be resting at the same distance from the light. It's not too perty, but it's works perfectly for me. I'd love to hear about your seed starting method too!

**A note on supplies: Space is maxed out at our house. The lights above are just cheapy lights that totally break down after the month they're set up on my piano. From there, the plants go outside to the pop-up coldframe (The Seedhouse), where they harden off. I will also often start some seeds in pots outside in this coldframe. It's sooooo not the cool coldframe complete with antique window that I would love to have, but the space outside is also maxed out and the pop-up coldframe folds into a serving plate-sized bag and hangs in the shed - the antique window doesn't.