I really appreciate the information in this video and have followed this channel for many things. Just to encourage some newer gardeners but older gardeners too , you do NOT need grow lights and can grow just fine using a southern facing window . I do it every year with snapdragons, tomatoes , peppers , marigolds and have some of the strongest, best tomatoes in the neighborhood. I have a neighbor who is 101 years old ... literally and she is a Missouri farm girl, so she lived before electricity and she can vouch that you certainly don't need grow lights because they didn't even have electricity. 😅 What I do is set up a table very close to a southern facing window , making sure the window blind is not just open but up entirely. While germinating I make sure the seeds stay moist by misting regularly with a spray bottle and laying a thin layer of surrand wrap ontop . After sprouting , I remove the plastic wrap and put a box fan on low and water from the bottom of the plants . As they continue to mature I keep up the box fan to medium and rotate the plants daily. Meaning if they are bending one way toward the sun, I simple flip them around to bend the other way the next day . As they really mature I kick up the box fan daily to high for a few hours (do keep it a good 2-3 feet of distance from your plants ) . You are not looking to break stems but create strength and resistance mimicking the wind outside. This also keeps airflow so you don't end up with powdery mildew , root rot , and lot of other infections . At this rate , unless I want to try onions from seed , which I know she does . I don't see any need to use grow lights , to spend the money , or use my space in that way. Thankful for your channel and all the great advice. -R
I skipped on a good seedling tray the first few years. Bought the cheap thin plastic ones and boy did I regret it. Like you, they flexed and stuff fell over. Sturdy seedling trays were the best investment to save my sanilty😉
If yer struggling to afford all this stuff, dirt and sunshine works pretty well too. If you walk outside and look down, that's the dirt. Then look up, that's the sunshine. Most of my best crops come from taking the old tomatoes and squash from the fridge and throwing them at the fence. Where they land is where they grow. Of course, you can buy a packet of seeds from a store pretty cheap and throw those seeds at a fence too. Pretty much a universal propagation device.
Get yourself a Greenstalk tower! Game changer for strawberries. I have 4 Greenstalk now with strawberries and we did not purchase strawberries at the grocery all summer long 🫶🏼 and little to no pests
Such a great informative video. This year will be year 3 of me starting my own seeds - its definitely a learning process. Your onions are already looking gorgeous, when did you start them?
Minor, minor point. It’s window “sill”, not window “seal”, unless maybe those pesky pups pester pepper planters, or whatever ;) Love ur channel, esp ur enthusiasm…and ur camera work is getting better!
I use Organic Burpee seed starting mix. It does contain a fertilizer and this will be my third season with this particular brand. It is readily available at walmart, tractor supply. However this time of year I had to get from Burpee directly
All my seed starts we're legging and dampened off last winter. 😞 I am trying to avoid that this year. How close should I have the grow lights to the seed trays?
One of the things I get confused with is how many seeds you need to sow for certain things. So if I want a nice pot of flowers is it 5 seeds for a 5 plants to spread out or sprinkle them like confetti to get the same.
With some of my bigger planters ill do about 3-4 flower plants. With some of my smaller ones I just do one. If your unsure look up how big somethings get and that might help you decide.
Using the fertilome organic potting mix, do you typically have fungus gnat issues with your seed starts? I've always used a very basic peat moss & vermiculite mix, sterilized with boiling water to kill off any fungus gnats eggs that are usually dormant in potting soils and peat moss. (obviously then requiring weekly feedings once the seeds germinate to provide nutrients)
This was very helpful! Thanks! When you use the Neptunes fertilizer on seedlings indoors, do you add the fertilizer to the tray when you bottom water? Or are you spraying on the plants?
I really appreciate the information in this video and have followed this channel for many things. Just to encourage some newer gardeners but older gardeners too , you do NOT need grow lights and can grow just fine using a southern facing window . I do it every year with snapdragons, tomatoes , peppers , marigolds and have some of the strongest, best tomatoes in the neighborhood. I have a neighbor who is 101 years old ... literally and she is a Missouri farm girl, so she lived before electricity and she can vouch that you certainly don't need grow lights because they didn't even have electricity. 😅 What I do is set up a table very close to a southern facing window , making sure the window blind is not just open but up entirely. While germinating I make sure the seeds stay moist by misting regularly with a spray bottle and laying a thin layer of surrand wrap ontop . After sprouting , I remove the plastic wrap and put a box fan on low and water from the bottom of the plants . As they continue to mature I keep up the box fan to medium and rotate the plants daily. Meaning if they are bending one way toward the sun, I simple flip them around to bend the other way the next day . As they really mature I kick up the box fan daily to high for a few hours (do keep it a good 2-3 feet of distance from your plants ) . You are not looking to break stems but create strength and resistance mimicking the wind outside. This also keeps airflow so you don't end up with powdery mildew , root rot , and lot of other infections . At this rate , unless I want to try onions from seed , which I know she does . I don't see any need to use grow lights , to spend the money , or use my space in that way. Thankful for your channel and all the great advice. -R
This is fantastic advice. Thank you so much!
I skipped on a good seedling tray the first few years. Bought the cheap thin plastic ones and boy did I regret it. Like you, they flexed and stuff fell over. Sturdy seedling trays were the best investment to save my sanilty😉
Totally worth the investment! They really do make a difference!
Thanks so much. I learned a number of things that I’ve done wrong. Hoping for more success with seeds this year
If yer struggling to afford all this stuff, dirt and sunshine works pretty well too. If you walk outside and look down, that's the dirt. Then look up, that's the sunshine. Most of my best crops come from taking the old tomatoes and squash from the fridge and throwing them at the fence. Where they land is where they grow. Of course, you can buy a packet of seeds from a store pretty cheap and throw those seeds at a fence too. Pretty much a universal propagation device.
LOVED the scene right here 0:06
Get yourself a Greenstalk tower! Game changer for strawberries. I have 4 Greenstalk now with strawberries and we did not purchase strawberries at the grocery all summer long 🫶🏼 and little to no pests
Ive been thinking about doing that with them!! Thanks for sharing your experience!
Such a great informative video. This year will be year 3 of me starting my own seeds - its definitely a learning process.
Your onions are already looking gorgeous, when did you start them?
Minor, minor point.
It’s window “sill”, not window “seal”, unless maybe those pesky pups pester pepper planters, or whatever ;)
Love ur channel, esp ur enthusiasm…and ur camera work is getting better!
I am terrible with words lol
I use Organic Burpee seed starting mix. It does contain a fertilizer and this will be my third season with this particular brand. It is readily available at walmart, tractor supply. However this time of year I had to get from Burpee directly
Thanks for sharing!
New to your channel great information it's a pleasure to see a happy :-)🎉
And some libraries will have free/discounted seeds too!
All my seed starts we're legging and dampened off last winter. 😞 I am trying to avoid that this year. How close should I have the grow lights to the seed trays?
I have them a few inches from the lights and adjust as they start to grow.
Ok thank you so much!
Also, having a fan directed at the plants helps a lot!
@CZDrea Thank you! I put a fan on them last year, but too late, so I'm definitely going to make sure they have one from the beginning this time!
Sprinkling vermiculite on top of the soil was a game changer when it came to stopping dampening off for me
Good job
One of the things I get confused with is how many seeds you need to sow for certain things. So if I want a nice pot of flowers is it 5 seeds for a 5 plants to spread out or sprinkle them like confetti to get the same.
With some of my bigger planters ill do about 3-4 flower plants. With some of my smaller ones I just do one. If your unsure look up how big somethings get and that might help you decide.
I'm trying to figure out how to get my gardening process setup while being off grid... it's challenging for sure!
Im sure it is! I dont have any experience with green houses or winter sewing methods but maybe those might work better for you.
What soil do you use for seed starting? Sorry if noted and I missed it
Using the fertilome organic potting mix, do you typically have fungus gnat issues with your seed starts? I've always used a very basic peat moss & vermiculite mix, sterilized with boiling water to kill off any fungus gnats eggs that are usually dormant in potting soils and peat moss. (obviously then requiring weekly feedings once the seeds germinate to provide nutrients)
Very minimal. Nothing a sticky trap won’t handle within a few days. It’s typically not an issue for me.
This was very helpful! Thanks! When you use the Neptunes fertilizer on seedlings indoors, do you add the fertilizer to the tray when you bottom water? Or are you spraying on the plants?
I bottom water with it
Thank you for the reply! I was hoping you would say that!
What was the name of the soil
Second!
HII FIRSTT