Great information, Jenna. It was wonderful that you showed how plants react differently when exposed to lower light levels. The options you show make this a very informative video.
I’m elated to see all the # of comments on this video. People need to see your videos. You are the most knowledgeable grower I have seen on RUclips. We all need to grow food and grow it well. Most garden you tubers are southern or Florida/Cali. We need your unique perspective here. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.
Same! I live in Zone 6 in PA. Both you and MIGardener. I love that we are on the same schedule. I get so jealous of the gardeners further south that can grown much earlier and longer. I feel so bad for those who live even further north.
Finally found someone suffering from lack of sun like me, in Pennsylvania. This will be my first attempt at starting seeds. Till I found you I was going to give up, thanks to you, I'm going for it. Keep those videos coming I will need you through my venture for sure!!
Thank you Jenna for your window reflector trick! You rock! Literally the day after I watched your video, my grow light decided to burn out, leaving dozens of baby seedlings in the dark. My property is North-facing Zone 5b, but luckily I was able to utilize the one south-facing window I have and I rigged up a similar reflector panel, and the seedlings are thriving, not one has reached for the window yet!
I'm 68, have not grown so much as a weed, but for food security purposes, want to gain gardening knowledge/skills. I do not have the space or $ for grow lights and so, it appeared my garden was doomed to fail. Thank you so much for "shedding some light" on this gloomy subject. You truly are a Godsend to this elderly newbie.
My first year seed starting we lived in a small apartment in Boston. I tried to use huge south facing windows my first year, but our apartment was on the 12th floor and the windows were too cold for some of what I tried to start. I then used a metal shelf in a corner of the room that fit one 1020 tray per shelf, and 2ft shop lights I got for $15. Worked great! I used a version of that set up, expanding what I started when we moved to a slightly bigger apartment (we initially planted in a friend’s yard, then got a community plot we used for two years). We now have a house with 2 acres north of the city and it will be my first year in our new garden. I did a winter garden with container micro tomatoes this winter and that turned out great (using my seedling lights).
Congratulations on moving to your new home, 2 acres is a big step from a community garden. I know you will be so happy planting your garden this year. 😄 happy planting & may you have a great harvest
Hello Jenna I live in the far north of Ontario Canada with a zone 2 rating .I also live in an off grid cabin with only wood heat. So , with that said I have a rack that suspends above my wood stove for a makeshift " heat matt " . As for lighting . I do have a small ( 400watt ) solar system. I have experimented with " Happy lights " a therapy light designed fore people that suffer from the very long hours of darkness up here. The interesting thing is that they produce. 10000 lux at 6 inches from the light , they produce light in the 6500 k range and do not generate heat. When it comes to cost and energy they use only about 15 watts of power and cost only about 40.00$ . Hope you find this interesting Paul😊
Love your German Shepard just chilling out in the sun and brought back memories of ruby my Belgium Shepard She was the smartest most faithful dog I ever had. Keep showing people how to grow their own food. I really believe that growing you own food is becoming more a necessity than it is for fun anymore. Have a great day.
@@GrowfullywithJenna we’re getting into the gardening with a vengeance! LOL Our ground is all clay and the ground not exactly level either. So far I’ve bought 48 yards of 3 way garden soil at just under $2,000.00 and probably be adding another $1,000.00 in garden soil yet. My garden size will be at least 300 ft by 50ft. Garden soil starts out roughly 6” thick and at the other end is roughly 18” thick so the garden going to be pretty level. There’s another 100ft by 50 ft that has 3 raised bed 12ft by 8 ft and 18” high. Then there’s 6 4ft by 4ft by 12” deep raised garden bed tables on legs that’s 36” high off the ground for my wife to plant and harvest shorter growing plants in cause my wife has bone to bone knees and can’t bend down to even get close to doing anything at ground level. But she’s always been a huge gardener fan and just never had anyone to help her get the kind of garden she’s always wanted. Till she met me anyway! LOL we’re not wealthy people and as much easier it be to move 48 yards of 3 way garden soil around and getting it all leveled out. I’m actually doing it all by hand with just a shovel one shovel of soil at a time! Almost got the last of the 48 yards spread out in the garden area as level as you’ll ever get it! But still need at least another 24 yards to finish up the full length and width of the garden. Then I guess I’ll be putting down woven fabric over the top of the 3 way soil so hopefully I won’t need to do much if any weeding? But I’ll be pulling off the woven fabric after this growing season and adding wood chips to the 3 way soil to compost a little over the winter before putting the woven fabric back on just before next spring to get ready for more plants next year too. Adding the wood chips cause I still need the 3 way garden soil area to come up another 18” to be completely level over the full roughly 450ft by 50ft. Once I get it leveled out completely, I’m planning on building a huge greenhouse over the whole garden area myself using most the trees I have on the property for wood to make the frame. Quite the chore for a 65 year old guy, not to mention disabled from severe neuropathy the last 25 years too. Just take it one day at a time and do as much as I can. Start all over the next day! Never have to worry about getting bored. Plenty of things to do here! LOL
@@ghostridergale my town has a recycling center. If you buy a sticker for $35 they have compost and you can take as much as you want. Your town might have something like this at the dump our recycling center. Add it to your soil and help cut your costs and add nutrients. Sometimes the local tree cutters will get free chips away. And they’re not treated with any chemicals for the great the layover you’re gone if your garden is not directly next to your house. Just some thoughts maybe help you cut costs as money doesn’t go anywhere as far as it used to. Have a great day Wayne
It's my first year using lights. I couldn't afford grow lights and am using six, 6500K, 5000 lumen LED shop lights. I line my shelves with cardboard to catch any drips from removing domes, etc. for safety sake. I use a mylar blanket to reflect the light back and I also use some extra hooks to tilt the lights toward the center a bit to get better coverage. I'm already out of room and have so much more to grow!! Thanks for these alternatives.
Sounds like you've got a good setup going, Donna! I feel like that's a common problem for gardeners-- we're always running out of room with so much more to grow 😄
Really great episode with really good information! I do pretty much all these methods and found them all to be effective. The cold frames work well if I’m home and available to keep adjusting the lids for excessive heat and cold. Winter sowing is set and pretty much forget, and covered hoop rows are excellent. but for optimal results I use fluorescent light with T5 bulbs set very close to the plants. We get the lights free from people remodeling their kitchens and my hubby adds an electrical plug.
Apparently you can do the same thing with white paper as it does a great job reflecting back the light- either way, the additional light has helped my seedlings a lot!!
Thankhwnk you for providing a garden channel from Ohio. I live in the southwest Ohio about an hour north of Cincinnati and in the general area of Insterstate 75 and 70 . I have two green houses. One is the portable and the other is the aluminum 8ft by 6ft. I started with container gardening last year latearound the end of May and around the middle of June. The starter grow kits did produce somewhat inside but when I took them outside they stopped. When I returned from my birthday visit with my dad and younger brother in Arizona, I bought starter plants from Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart to get a head start on my garden. My seed tray did not produce any of the seeeds that I planted. By September, I puchased the aluminum 6ft by 8ft greenhouse to try to grow food through the fall and winter but that didn't work. Also the panels of my aluminum greenhouse have to be gorilla taped to the frame. This year, I plan to make a wooden frame for both greenhouses and a platform to put my various containers on in my backyard. I like the idea of a cold frame because I tried to grow some vegetables over the winter and they are just starting to sprout. Thank you for bringing gardening to Ohio.
You are welcome! I'm just about 45 minutes straight north of you! Sounds like you've got a lot going on there-- I hope your wooden frames for the greenhouses go well. Happy gardening!
Aussie sighting! I made a few cold frames this season. The best so far was the simplest, 2 clear plastic basement window well covers taped together. Maybe a bit of overkill on the coldest parts of jan/feb, but around the inside edge I put some bricks to soak up the sun during the day and release the warmth over night. You can fit alot of seedlings inside!
Maybe this a lil more work than some folks wanna do but it seems pretty obvious to start them inside then put your tray out in the sun during the day wen it's not real cold then bring them back in the evening before it freezes and a plus is they will be hardened off
We don't have South facing windows but we get alot of morning sun in the front of the house and my Pinocchio Dwarf Tomatoes have done great in the windows, so hoping the foil and cardboard would works for some seedlings. Our little ville is small and supported glass factory workers in the early 1800s when the rails were the only method of transportation unless by horse. We have tons of Sun through the growing season. We are in the same zone as you in SW PA. I find your videos very helpful as this 2022 season is my 2nd garden. Thanks for all your help! I would be lost if it wasn't for the Gardening RUclipsrs! Many Thanks!
I am happy to have found you this morning. I am a week behind sowing my seeds and was mad because I thought there was no hope... but here you are with HOPE. Getting started today using the foil method. I am here in TEXAS Zone 8A so I do have a south facing window in an enclosed patio so I will prepare the setup today... sitting here excited already at the possibilities. 😀
I start seeds indoors and move them out to a raised bed as soon as they sprout. The raised bed has a plastic hoop house type cover that acts like a little greenhouse.The cover is on hinges so it is retractable. Best thing about this is I can raise it just a little on warm days to let some breeze through and harden the plants off so they are not all shocked when they are introduced to wind after transplanting. It protects the plants during mild freezes. For hard frosts, I bring the plants back into the house.
Hi Jenna! This is Glenn from Layton Utah. I live in zone 5 and start a lot of my vegetables from seed indoors, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. This year I tried your reflective grow boxes They worked wonderful. They are in south-west windows. I am also trying your frost cloth covering with my onions and carrots for the first time .I so enjoy your videos and the information that you give. Thanks!
GREAT ADVICE!! I'm soooo excited about starting earlier this year. Last year was my first year with a garden in all of my adult life and I'M OBSESSED!!
Great ideas! I started the milk jugs cold sowing this time and they're working great! I'm going to try the aluminum foil method now and see how well it works for me. I really didn't want to invest in the grow light set-up just yet. Thanks for the advice!
Great video, it was very informative and straight forward. I started my seeds in February, I put them next to the window where the sunlight at, and it worked well. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I was discouraged at even starting my plants inside due to the many people saying you can't! I appreciate this so much and can't wait ti get started! I can't do grow lights right (money) and this is the first year I have even tried to grow plants! Thank you so much for showing me because I am honestly not sure what I'm doing! This will be a trial and error deal!
Time to get excited about getting things started! I put some radish, lettuce and arugula seeds in Mar 1 under my poly tunnels. I never tried to put things in the ground this early. It's warm right now and they may germinate in the next couple days but I'm nervous about next weekend when it may get down to the low 20's. We'll see how they do.
Thanks, Jenna! Very great ideas. I am running around the house putting cups, trays, and pots in the windows. I did just open a plastic baggie that t had sealed some tomatoes in tiny peet pots inside of ), and that seemed to really soften up the cardboard with moisture, kept the soil moist, while getting those seeds to crack. Thanks.
I use an LED shop light, it doesn’t heat up. It’s propped up with scrap lumber, not hung (so no shelf needed). I have 8 flats in the greenhouse, and I don’t heat the whole greenhouse but I use heat matts. That bottom heat is plenty if you trap it with light plastic, humidity domes or frost blankets. No need to heat up the whole greenhouse. Another way to grow in the greenhouse is using one of those red heat lamps that are used for chicks. Instead of heating the air you’re radiating that heat at the plants that need it. Loved that video! I still believe in growing without any special equipment.
I got my whole light setup from Walmart. Each 4ft LED shop light fixture was $19 and the Shelf was $90. All in the hardware section of Walmart. It's working really well. Also I bought a cheap timer there for six bucks and I am running lights for 20 hours a day.
I low-key can see kids coming in the comments and saying stuff like only in ohio etc- but ty for the help! :) I am working on growing sunflowers for fun and this help
As a Zone 9B gardener, I should be able to direct sow everything for summer, but this year, we're still in the 60s during the day despite June starting tomorrow, and my summer crops are mad at me. And, the snails are vicious and loving this cool weather, so the seedlings that DO pop up outside are quickly mowed down by these hordes of slimey garden demons. So... my kitchen cart is situated under my kitchen window and are now full of seedling pots where I'm trying to get cucumbers and squashes large enough to transplant and have a chance of surviving. These tips are so helpful!! Especially since I'm really unused to starting seedlings indoors....
Jenna, I am reporting from Gettysburg, PA. I use Winter Sowing. It works, but one thing one must do, in my opinion, is to keep the soil lightly misted. The top of the soil can dry out quickly in the Winter. Pertaining to your idea of the reflective panel, what a great idea! I have my jugs outside right now, but I will try this technique for my next batch of seedlings. Again, thanks for a no brainer. Tom Cahill
This is perfect! I forgot about the foil reflective backdrop! When you had that box cut up, it would be tempting to cover with foil, then tape box together. With winter-sowing I did use that method(northeast Ohio) one year. That was a few years back and the only “successful” celery I’ve grown. Those winter sown seedlings were small, but super hardy and are very well. So I could never compare them to greenhouse starts. Those tomatoes did really well too.
I have been looking a long time for someone to talk about starting seedlings indoors without grow lights. All I can find is "not recommended, you should use grow lights." I think that throughout history, gardeners have tried to get a jump on their growing season indoors - noone had grow lights. (when I was young, the only people who did were the pot growers. I'm sure some of our ancestors were clever enough to rig up workable solutions. I thought about using mirrors in front of a window, just a thought, haven't tried it. Thanks for the logical answers, I'm glad to hear solutions, not absolutes.
I agree with you 100%- I always try to think about how folks did things before we had all these 'advancements' in technology 😄. I also don't believe there are many absolutes in gardening!
Hello. I;m in Chicago and I really, really want to thank you for this video. You made my day with the idea of the "Reflecting" thing that I'll use in the next week with my peppers and tomatoes
Really interesting experiments with the window sowings! Thanks for sharing. I use a 4’ x 2’ four-bulb fluorescent grow light with T5 high output, 6500K color temp bulbs. Got it from a local hydroponics store for around $110. It works very well in terms of light output for starting seeds indoors, but it does generate a good amount of heat. I would have no problem using a big LED shop light. I was just at Menard’s with my dad and he picked one up for about $70 that puts out 10,000 lumens at 5000K color temp. You can go even cheaper than, but that one has a good light spread due to larger ballast.
I recently moved from Ashtabula County, Ohio back to my childhood home area in upstate NY. Right on the shore of Lake Ontario, also 6a. I managed to get garlic in the ground before winter set in. Now I'm getting excited to get a garden in here. Spring is almost here! :-D
ive had success with a "bakers shelf" (wire shelf from Trinity brand i get at Costco) and LED shop lights. NO you cant grow a lot of sun loving plants under it, but you can absolutely start seed, and you can keep some houseplants going quite well (because i rooted houseplant cuttings under them in a dark/windowless room)
I keep aquariums so I had so extra led aquarium plant lights laying around, I've been using them for starting seeds and everything looks so healthy. Not one of my tomatoes is leggy! If you want to try aquariums lights be sure to get plant ones, I like the Nicrew brand since they're super bright and fairly priced.
I’ve got the same metal shelf as you, they are so easy to hang lights from! I have one shelf that has great value grow lights, one that has 2-5000 lumens shop lights (Walmart), and one that has 2-7000 lumens shop lights (Lowes), both sets of shop lights are in the color daylight (about 4-5,000 kelvin/color temp) and I will definitely be going with the higher output shop lights from now on for seedlings. I find my highest rated lights don’t have to be as close to my seedlings I have them mounted all the way up and they haven’t stretched at all and look great, they do get a little bit warm but don’t seem to affect the plants so far. But the lower rated lights have to stay that standard 2-3 in above the plants range so I’m constantly having to move them up with the plants.
Yes- good point about the lower rated lights! It can be a bit tedious to have to move them all the time to keep them just above your seedlings. Thanks for sharing what you are using!
Thank you for your information. It's been years since I've been able to have a garden. I'm inspired by your teaching, Thank you and God bless you and your family
Good blessed morning from Down Under to Ohio. Just gone 8am here Sat morning. Sunrise at 5.30 (ish). Just entered autumn (Fall) so sunset at around 6ish. Start of @12/12 light cycle. Ohwel, time to get out into the garden for the day. Sorry, ranting again. Loving the content
Good morning and thank you! I hope you enjoyed your day in the garden... I'm still impatiently waiting for things to warm up here... but spring is on its way!
I turn the trays Daily, put them out over daytime. So far, so good. Last year I didn't expose them to drafts enough, the stalks had little Resistance. Luckily most I could plant in the ground up to the leaf and they were fine.
Super informative video Jenna. We live in NZ in the North Island where we don’t get snow, and while our winters are quite mild, our temperatures do dip into the low 3 to 5C with some frosts. So the first plantings of veg did not yield half as much as we would’ve liked, so we are adopting a different approach this time, and will also start with seed sowing. Since it’s not overly cold here in the winter, we’ll use a small cold frame without heat or lights, and hopefully see some results. I’ll report back to you on how that works out. Thank you for the very helpful videos.
I'm using 4' 4800LM, 5000k daylight LED shop lights and they do a great job for seed starting. Oh, I also use Mylar tented over the lights to reflect light back to the plants. 😊
That box joints can hold in ten minutes with wood glue and never come lose. I'd just glue and sat something heavy for 10 minutes. Love your aluminum foil idea ,Hopefully my neighbors see this for they use windows and sure your reflection box is improving the window system. Thanks for your teaching Lady
Just picked up some shop lights at Menards for $17.00 They are 5K Lumens, plenty of light to start and maintain seedlings. I bought these to replace a couple 4K lumen lights i got a couple years ago. My grow room is horizontal due to sloping ceilings on the 2nd floor, not tall enough for shelving units, but I make it work. Great video, once again!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Was little disappointed after opening the box, instead of a double tube fixture it is a single tube. I will make them work, very intense light however.
Createrontherise congratulations my favorite Gardener Teacher and for the past 8 months. Don't know why you wouldn't be recognized. I myself have mentioned your "Growfully with Jenna " on my Facebook, Several websites and by voice face to face around Columbus OH. Hopefully you fill I'm your favorite fan. Thanks for your teaching Lady
I'll be winter sowing about the first of April, I did it too early last year. I will also be trying to start our plants in the house for the first time. I've got cardboard and lots of foil...I'm glad you showed that trick. Thanks! We have a large south facing picture window so the dining room table will be of use. Since we don't sit and eat at it very much anymore. Empty nesters lol. I have the same little greenhouse with the plastic cover and zipper front that you have in one of your past videos. That will be set on the patio out of the wind again this year in April. It will get most of the sun morning and mid day. Thanks for the tips! Take care!
Ooh- that picture window should be perfect! Your comment about the dining room table made me chuckle-- we should be using ours instead of crowding everyone around the tiny island... but it's currently covered in seed starting supplies and painting projects 😂. Happy sowing!
@@SisterShirley Hi Christine! I'm in Zone 4a NNY. Last year I started winter sowing for the first time in January and February. I had a 50% success rate. I think I was too early for tomatoes and peppers. Greens, some Herbs, and cold hardy stuff worked the best that early. But, I did get some tomatoes, but not my favorite ones lol. I did have perennials that did well like Larkspur as an example. Take care!
@@SisterShirley now is the time to start, am having germination from my frost hardly plants that I planted in the middle of February, those that I did in the last of February like spinach and okra is yet to start except for the Alyssum and baby breath am keeping my fingers crossed, am in zone 7b, good luck
So, so useful this video (well to be honest all of your videos speaks so much to me😍). Many of this methods I already use for years in my garden (zone 6, Romania). Thank you for all the inspiration and info I get watching your videos. Have a great gardening year!
I had a huge issue last year with leggy herbs. all died except for one sweet basil and one opal basil. I kept them and over time they grew stronger. But it is heart breaking to see my nature buddies die off like that. I believe my apartment windows are north east, so your foil recommendation will help a ton. Since I have to buy drinking water, I can reuse my bottled water as started, use your foil idea by attaching it to the bottle, and sit the seedlings in the window. Thanks for that idea
Nearly one year later I put hay bales around key poly tunnel the inside was not warm but cossie the seed sprung up in no time even going to fare like the broccoli started to produce small heads but did not develop but every thing else done very well but you learn as you go brilliant idea I also buried some of the bales half way down they went very well even the ground was warm frost did not get a peep in My neighbor done the same as me but had mice problem I didn't I have cats they get to lye on the heated bales a deals with them kill as you go policy which is great you know you have to work with nature 🤣😺don't us posions or traps bring in the predators what wonderful ideas you have to share with us thank you so much you might try out some of these ideas 💡 very Gardner should get a cat they are pure psychopaths the kill stuff leave it at you door as if to say now sell that on eBay Keep up the good work God bless Patrick
I live east of atlanta and are last frost date is March 31 but with days like this week (in the 70’s) I’ve been letting my seeds sit outside in the sun. I also have one tray inside next to a window to see the difference in growth and hardiness.
Really great tips! One thing I’d like to add (from my own research in the past) is that flat white is more reflective than aluminum foil is. I believe you could use flat white poster board and line the box with that. It would be a cool experiment to try a flat white light box vs the foil box vs a light box with no reflective materials (just would help with some warmth?) vs no light box! I would give it a try, but sadly my southern windows aren’t the best due to a roof overhang (my front door faces south) and my biggest windows are facing north - the least amount of light. I’ve done my winter sowing about a month ago. Waiting patiently to see if I did a good job haha
Ooh- definitely giving this experiment a try- thank you, Jess! And I hear you on the winter sowing- I'm out there every day now peaking in my containers 😄
Interesting, flat white! I've been lining my grow areas with mylar blankets (the kind they give you after finishing a cold weather marathon). Thinking of changing a few things next year will try the flat white. Thanks.
@@brianseybert2189 np! Foil is still a good reflector, but it can cause heat spots due to crinkles (same with some Mylars) Here’s a video experiment: ruclips.net/video/gUZ269_i-X0/видео.html
@@carmgenuardi1738 oh nice! That’s a great science experiment for kids to learn about light and photosynthesis! Here’s a video experiment someone did so you get an idea: ruclips.net/video/gUZ269_i-X0/видео.html
Your amaryllis is stunning! Great video to help those without lighting to be able to grow with windows or winter sowing. Got shop LED lights @ Walmart under 20 each plus did purchase LED T5 lights. Actually the expense mainly shelves vs lights. I have only right now shop lights going vs T5 want to do a compare. I like you can't quite start anything outside Cole crops. Mid March I can start. I totally agree that for transplants you really don't need more than shop light with 5000 Kelvin and daylight or 6500 lumens.
Thanks, Kittie- I've gotten such a kick out of that amaryllis-- it was sent to me before Christmas, put on its initial blooms and I figured it was done. I forgot to throw it out and then one day it just started sprouting out again! Also, thanks for sharing the type of lights you're using!
Thank you for the reflecting box, this is genius. I also live on OH and I was going to start my seeds this weekend but couldn’t get to it today. I also didn’t want to start them to early so they didn’t get leggy. LOVE this, I am doing it today.
I think it you turn your plants 180 degrees everyday while the plants are in your windows will help your plants from stretching towards the windows so much!
It certainly helps, but doesn't completely prevent stretching. They still want to stretch, but the plant stems will be straighter if you switch them back and forth like this.
If you need heat to germinate seeds..I’ve found that using an electric drying airier works..especially if you use that trick of putting seeds on damp kitchen paper in a plastic sandwich bag..just pop on top something you’ve put on the dryer
Jenna...so ths year..i.bought 4 foot led grow lights at ocean state job lot store.25 each...and i already had three tier cheap racks from walmart...20.each..they're 2 feet wide so side by side then i.hung the 4 foot lights...worked amazing and I put 6-24 inch flats on the rack..the whole thing cost about 90...totally worth it and pretty cost effective..the top rack.is just brassica so.dont really need the lights...I got a ton growing in a 4 foot little space...
Wow! Lot of info. So I will tell you what I discovered and currently using. Two years ago I went with 2’ wide 5 shelf rack on wheels so I could move it easily. This fits perfect in front of window. I started with Barrina LED lights to fit the rack, pack of 8. These did ok, but wanted more power. This year I got another rack same width just less depth and bought another set of Barrina list, but these have 2 strips of LED lights/pack of 6. In studying lights (manufacturers make it difficult because they have no set standards). I chose to look at the spectrum of color the lights give off on what seedlings need, not flowers. Vegetation needs blue and green lights. Flowering needs red. There is also the brightness or Kelvins to consider and should be around 5-6K kelvins. This last set is a white light that carries more of the blue spectrum I’m looking for. They are much brighter white and of course higher kelvins because each light has 2 strips of LEDs vs. 1 as the first set had. My first set is more yellow light compared to second set. Results:: I’m growing lettuce and spinach successfully so far. They are full and healthy. I like the rack on wheels as it will be easy to push on a small ramp to put outside for hardening off. What I am aiming for is to re-work my small lean-to greenhouse with heat sink floor and solar power. However, we have something called crazy warm weather this January I’ve never seen and maybe 2 days of sun 😮. It is the 21st and we are finally going to get normal cold weather hopefully through February. Up to this point we have had 40s-50s and rain that has Poured! This has put a Kabosh on starting any winter sowing in jugs as they would have sprouted or rotted. I’m hopeful going forward that it will stay cold. Last year was my first time winter sowing And I’m Hooked! It was fantastic except for foxgloves and delphinium which I’ve never grown, but will try again. I love how simplistic it was from hands off to little prep and money. I don’t like to up-pot seedlings-it’s messy, costly and unnecessary. And that’s why I’m trying to get timing right and I don’t want giant transplants as I don’t think it’s beneficial. I’m still experimenting with that with onions, peppers and tomatoes. The latter 2 I think I’ve seen other videos not have a problem to winter sow late like the 6 weeks before frost date, but onions no one has mentioned and I do want them bigger than a thread😂. The brassicas were so prolific in WS and was able to share with a neighbor who accidentally left hers cook in greenhouse. I never met them before and her husband was doing a job for us and mentioned it and I said I have a lot of plants! We recently had to have his help again and he said, just give them some more plants this year as the ones last year did excellent! Win-Win and great new neighbors met🎉. So I hope this helps as it’s difficult to figure lighting because there are no standards except Kelvins and color spectrum of which Manufacturers Don’t regularly supply the consumer with. The Barrina lights are about $60 or less on Amazon. They are not rated for greenhouse, but I don’t think I would need them out there if I get winter sow under control with this weather and timing for certain varieties. My aim is to keep the mess outside and the cost to a minimum. Plants and seeds are outrageous this year. Some places still have reasonably priced seeds, but those plants-Ugh! $20 for ONE PLANT when I can winter sow a couple dozen or more for the cost of a pack of seeds is a HUGE win! Of course I’m talking mainly flowers, but even vegetable plants are costly if you have a larger garden and you do preserving. Last year was a disaster using coco coir as I should have used a ton more perlite as it holds too much water and molded inside. I’m sticking with peat moss, perlite and a handful of organic fertilizer to fill WS jugs. Peat moss from what I’ve read is sustainable. No need for high priced potting soil and Especially that silly sand they call seed starter. Oh, and the T5 and T8 I believe are the size of fluorescent tubes in shop lights and nothing more. Those ballasts get hot and are energy suckers. LED are best. And if using electric outside be sure the cord is heavy and has a ground and really important that the outlet is GFI to prevent shock.
Lovely Amaryllis! I feel like a horse, in the gate, at the Kentucky Derby just dancin' around waiting for the bell to ring and the gate to open! My small set-up, with grow light, is ready. I am ready ...but must wait a little longer before I can start my seeds indoors, for planting outdoors in zone 5. I think I may try starting a few more things, using foil, and my sunporch window. Thanks for the great idea!
That's such a great analogy, Linda! It'll be here soon! And I've gotten such a kick out of that amaryllis-- it was sent to me before Christmas, put on its initial blooms and I figured it was done. I forgot to throw it out and then one day it just started sprouting out again!
The last 2 years I've been starting some cold hardy seeds, like flowers & herbs in their own seedling pots inside large clwar totes. I can start them early, a la winter sowing, and I can keep an eye on the moisture levels myself. Once the weather gets nicer, I clip some tulle over the whole box, so that they're getting fresh air whenever it's warm out. At night the lid goes back on to keep them protected. It worked well last year, so I'm doing it the same this year. I just don't have enough room indoors to start everything. Nor do I want to have to harden off a zillion seedlings. So everything I can start outside, I do.
We’re all in the same boat. Lol man she’s dedicated. The hours that go into not only gardening but video edit and production too. Gotta love and appreciate that amount of effort.
Thank you for sharing. Hi just set up my grow station like yours, the shop lights were a challenge to find finally found 5000k shop lights😆 I’m zone 6a Michigan so excited to start (late) my herbs. Now I can get started!🌶🌶🌶🌶🥒🥬
It's very common to overlook things like replacement of light bulbs.You could make a video,just based on that🤔.Along with power consumption, initial costs,heat transfer,how far away the light should be,etc,etc.UV light.. differences is light bulb design, efficiency, lumens per watt...etc,etc.
@@GrowfullywithJenna My ever efficient husband had already recycled all of our cardboard boxes so I used a dollar tree project display board. Already it is about 10° warmer in my little windowsill area! I figure with the project boards, I can just fold them up and use them year to year!
The tomatoes can be repotted, placing the stems deeper into to dirt, burying them halfway up the stem or so. The stem will grow more roots, the roots system will be good and strong by the time you plant them outside.
@@GrowfullywithJenna Second. Boxers and tees up top. Shorts and socks in the second. Pants in the third and jammies on the bottom. Socks were just easier to move out the way. :)
Thank you this is very helpful for beginners. I am in a CA zone 9A with a very long grow season. No snow and frost potentially maybe 2 to 3 months usually . I would like to try seeding in trays outside but afraid of them drying out. Or worse damping off. Have lots of seed packets but slightly intimidated. 🤔
Hi Jenna, another great video. Love the idea with the aluminum foil. The weather here at the moment is awful. We have had 4 weeks of solid rain. My whole garden has been flooded. Cant do anything outside, so it's a lazy sunday watching your videos. Cheers
Nice dogs! I also have old proper wood tables. I made cold frame from old wood planks and then old windows on top, in colder nights covered with old blankets and in hotter days had to open windows because of moisture building up inside where it was so much hotter. That worked very well last year. Now we built greenhouse and i hope it will substitute cold boxes. Greenhouse with sealed north wall and cold sink trench.
I have 1 heat mat so I'm using it for starting hot and sweet peppers. But I'm going plant crazy so I stole ALL of our tupperware dishes, put seed starting soil in them, added flower seeds (I have room and we get lots of bees here, plus, you know, pretty), added water, and covered with plastic wrap. I have them sitting around a heat vent since it's still too cold to turn the heat off so it's my diy heat mat for now. It's one of the ways I'm trying to make the most of what I have right now while spending the least amount to get started and trying to keep it as economical as possible. So, if we have leftovers (good luck in my house, it almost never happens here), you're stuck using freezer bags. And yes, I put some seeds in wet paper towels and sandwich bags too.
I start romaine in the windowsill in individual yogurt containers. ....works well as they can be plopped into the garden early. In Ontario Canada so everything else goes under t5 bulbs. I'll give that reflective box in the window a try....thanks!!
This is my first year starting tomato plants inside, and at the same time I'm testing the 1/2 gallon 'Ball Jar' hydroponics system using the 'Kratky' method for 3 'mini' San Marzano tomato plants. Everything sits on a large desk in front of a south facing window, but I also supplemented the light with a _clamp style 'five arm' Red/Blue Spectrum LED Grow Light._ I paid just under thirty bucks for it and the plants love it. I also put some lettuce and green onions in grow pods, placing that box on top of a heating pad. Quick germination, and those will go in the ground when they get a little bigger. I would like to grow more, but my limited area is going to be tomatoes and more tomatoes! (even using 10 gallon grow bags with my 'in ground' area) It's not that I'm obsessed with tomatoes, it's just that I absolutely HATE the store bought ones that cost an arm & a leg and don't taste anything like tomatoes. I'm going to be a 'canning fool' this summer! 😂
Sounds like you've got a lot of fun experiments going on. I'd love to hear what you think of the ball jar hydro method. I think about doing it every year and never do. I'm with you 100% on store bought tomatoes- happy canning!
@@GrowfullywithJenna As with everything, the ball jar hydroponic thing is a learning experience. I saw this morning that the tips of the leaves were starting to curl. Considering the only change was to larger jars with new water/fertilizer mix, I'm convinced the mixture was too strong. I diluted it by 1/3 and will keep an eye for improvement. I'll keep you updated!
Thank you! I've been waiting for this video because I do not have access to grow lights so I will be using the aluminum foil method as well as the florescent lights. I have some lights on the bottoms of my cabinets and will use that before my wife makes me move them. LOL
One thing I tried this year is a grow box, so to speak lol. I got this really big cardboard box, lined it with tinfoil, attached a clamp light with two bulbs to the side and kinda close the flaps. One upside is it stays a little warmer than the house temperature. It's not a ton of space but I had a bunch of tall narrow plastic bottles that I decided to use as an informal experiment for cuttings and seed starting to compare to typical shallow cells. It works well for those. I thought about putting two boxes together. It'd be long/wide enough for three 72 cell trays.
That sounds like an excellent 'hack', Shawn-- those premade grow boxes can get pretty pricey and it seems like this would work quite well. Thanks for sharing!
Great information, Jenna. It was wonderful that you showed how plants react differently when exposed to lower light levels. The options you show make this a very informative video.
Totally! 👍🏾
Thanks so much!
I’m
@@slhemp3556 lol
,,
I’m elated to see all the # of comments on this video. People need to see your videos. You are the most knowledgeable grower I have seen on RUclips. We all need to grow food and grow it well. Most garden you tubers are southern or Florida/Cali. We need your unique perspective here. Thank you for taking the time to teach us.
Thank you so much, Rachel- I truly appreciate this!
Same! I live in Zone 6 in PA. Both you and MIGardener. I love that we are on the same schedule. I get so jealous of the gardeners further south that can grown much earlier and longer. I feel so bad for those who live even further north.
Finally found someone suffering from lack of sun like me, in Pennsylvania. This will be my first attempt at starting seeds. Till I found you I was going to give up, thanks to you, I'm going for it. Keep those videos coming I will need you through my venture for sure!!
Best of luck! I'd love to hear how the seed starting goes for you!
Thank you Jenna for your window reflector trick! You rock! Literally the day after I watched your video, my grow light decided to burn out, leaving dozens of baby seedlings in the dark. My property is North-facing Zone 5b, but luckily I was able to utilize the one south-facing window I have and I rigged up a similar reflector panel, and the seedlings are thriving, not one has reached for the window yet!
I'm so glad to hear this, Molly!!
I'm 68, have not grown so much as a weed, but for food security purposes, want to gain gardening knowledge/skills. I do not have the space or $ for grow lights and so, it appeared my garden was doomed to fail. Thank you so much for "shedding some light" on this gloomy subject. You truly are a Godsend to this elderly newbie.
I'm so glad to hear you've decided to gain gardening knowledge & skills- that's awesome, Jean!
Thank you for having a nice modulated voice not loud and ear splitting, or talking. About non relevant topics. Subscribing.
You are welcome. Thank you for subscribing- I appreciate the support!
Yes!!!! 💯💯💯💯
My first year seed starting we lived in a small apartment in Boston. I tried to use huge south facing windows my first year, but our apartment was on the 12th floor and the windows were too cold for some of what I tried to start. I then used a metal shelf in a corner of the room that fit one 1020 tray per shelf, and 2ft shop lights I got for $15. Worked great! I used a version of that set up, expanding what I started when we moved to a slightly bigger apartment (we initially planted in a friend’s yard, then got a community plot we used for two years). We now have a house with 2 acres north of the city and it will be my first year in our new garden. I did a winter garden with container micro tomatoes this winter and that turned out great (using my seedling lights).
Glad to hear you found a setup that worked for you AND that you've got a new garden this year-- that's so exciting!
Hello 👋 dear, how are you doing?
Congratulations on moving to your new home, 2 acres is a big step from a community garden. I know you will be so happy planting your garden this year. 😄 happy planting & may you have a great harvest
You are so kind and we are so spoiled that you do such thorough videos for us! God bless you!
So nice of you! Thank you!
Hello Jenna I live in the far north of Ontario Canada with a zone 2 rating .I also live in an off grid cabin with only wood heat. So , with that said I have a rack that suspends above my wood stove for a makeshift " heat matt " . As for lighting . I do have a small ( 400watt ) solar system. I have experimented with " Happy lights " a therapy light designed fore people that suffer from the very long hours of darkness up here. The interesting thing is that they produce. 10000 lux at 6 inches from the light , they produce light in the 6500 k range and do not generate heat. When it comes to cost and energy they use only about 15 watts of power and cost only about 40.00$ .
Hope you find this interesting
Paul😊
Love your German Shepard just chilling out in the sun and brought back memories of ruby my Belgium Shepard
She was the smartest most faithful dog I ever had. Keep showing people how to grow their own food. I really believe that growing you own food is becoming more a necessity than it is for fun anymore. Have a great day.
Ruby sounds like a wonderful dog!
I absolutely agree and hope that more folks become interested in learning how to grow their own. Take care!
@@GrowfullywithJenna we’re getting into the gardening with a vengeance! LOL Our ground is all clay and the ground not exactly level either. So far I’ve bought 48 yards of 3 way garden soil at just under $2,000.00 and probably be adding another $1,000.00 in garden soil yet. My garden size will be at least 300 ft by 50ft. Garden soil starts out roughly 6” thick and at the other end is roughly 18” thick so the garden going to be pretty level. There’s another 100ft by 50 ft that has 3 raised bed 12ft by 8 ft and 18” high. Then there’s 6 4ft by 4ft by 12” deep raised garden bed tables on legs that’s 36” high off the ground for my wife to plant and harvest shorter growing plants in cause my wife has bone to bone knees and can’t bend down to even get close to doing anything at ground level. But she’s always been a huge gardener fan and just never had anyone to help her get the kind of garden she’s always wanted. Till she met me anyway! LOL we’re not wealthy people and as much easier it be to move 48 yards of 3 way garden soil around and getting it all leveled out. I’m actually doing it all by hand with just a shovel one shovel of soil at a time! Almost got the last of the 48 yards spread out in the garden area as level as you’ll ever get it! But still need at least another 24 yards to finish up the full length and width of the garden. Then I guess I’ll be putting down woven fabric over the top of the 3 way soil so hopefully I won’t need to do much if any weeding? But I’ll be pulling off the woven fabric after this growing season and adding wood chips to the 3 way soil to compost a little over the winter before putting the woven fabric back on just before next spring to get ready for more plants next year too. Adding the wood chips cause I still need the 3 way garden soil area to come up another 18” to be completely level over the full roughly 450ft by 50ft. Once I get it leveled out completely, I’m planning on building a huge greenhouse over the whole garden area myself using most the trees I have on the property for wood to make the frame. Quite the chore for a 65 year old guy, not to mention disabled from severe neuropathy the last 25 years too. Just take it one day at a time and do as much as I can. Start all over the next day! Never have to worry about getting bored. Plenty of things to do here! LOL
@@ghostridergale my town has a recycling center. If you buy a sticker for $35 they have compost and you can take as much as you want. Your town might have something like this at the dump our recycling center. Add it to your soil and help cut your costs and add nutrients. Sometimes the local tree cutters will get free chips away. And they’re not treated with any chemicals for the great the layover you’re gone if your garden is not directly next to your house. Just some thoughts maybe help you cut costs as money doesn’t go anywhere as far as it used to. Have a great day Wayne
It's my first year using lights. I couldn't afford grow lights and am using six, 6500K, 5000 lumen LED shop lights. I line my shelves with cardboard to catch any drips from removing domes, etc. for safety sake. I use a mylar blanket to reflect the light back and I also use some extra hooks to tilt the lights toward the center a bit to get better coverage. I'm already out of room and have so much more to grow!! Thanks for these alternatives.
Sounds like you've got a good setup going, Donna! I feel like that's a common problem for gardeners-- we're always running out of room with so much more to grow 😄
Really great episode with really good information! I do pretty much all these methods and found them all to be effective. The cold frames work well if I’m home and available to keep adjusting the lids for excessive heat and cold. Winter sowing is set and pretty much forget, and covered hoop rows are excellent. but for optimal results I use fluorescent light with T5 bulbs set very close to the plants. We get the lights free from people remodeling their kitchens and my hubby adds an electrical plug.
Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for sharing your experience with all the different techniques!
The foil set up is genius!!
Apparently you can do the same thing with white paper as it does a great job reflecting back the light- either way, the additional light has helped my seedlings a lot!!
Thankhwnk you for providing a garden channel from Ohio. I live in the southwest Ohio about an hour north of Cincinnati and in the general area of Insterstate 75 and 70 . I have two green houses. One is the portable and the other is the aluminum 8ft by 6ft. I started with container gardening last year latearound the end of May and around the middle of June. The starter grow kits did produce somewhat inside but when I took them outside they stopped. When I returned from my birthday visit with my dad and younger brother in Arizona, I bought starter plants from Lowes, Home Depot and Walmart to get a head start on my garden. My seed tray did not produce any of the seeeds that I planted. By September, I puchased the aluminum 6ft by 8ft greenhouse to try to grow food through the fall and winter but that didn't work. Also the panels of my aluminum greenhouse have to be gorilla taped to the frame. This year, I plan to make a wooden frame for both greenhouses and a platform to put my various containers on in my backyard. I like the idea of a cold frame because I tried to grow some vegetables over the winter and they are just starting to sprout. Thank you for bringing gardening to Ohio.
You are welcome! I'm just about 45 minutes straight north of you!
Sounds like you've got a lot going on there-- I hope your wooden frames for the greenhouses go well. Happy gardening!
Aussie sighting! I made a few cold frames this season. The best so far was the simplest, 2 clear plastic basement window well covers taped together. Maybe a bit of overkill on the coldest parts of jan/feb, but around the inside edge I put some bricks to soak up the sun during the day and release the warmth over night. You can fit alot of seedlings inside!
Good idea!
😄 Good eye!
And great idea on the window well covers and bricks- thank you for sharing!
Where did you get the window well covers? Great idea!!!
@@norxgirl1 I got them at Home Depot
That's such a wonderful idea!
Maybe this a lil more work than some folks wanna do but it seems pretty obvious to start them inside then put your tray out in the sun during the day wen it's not real cold then bring them back in the evening before it freezes and a plus is they will be hardened off
We don't have South facing windows but we get alot of morning sun in the front of the house and my Pinocchio Dwarf Tomatoes have done great in the windows, so hoping the foil and cardboard would works for some seedlings. Our little ville is small and supported glass factory workers in the early 1800s when the rails were the only method of transportation unless by horse. We have tons of Sun through the growing season. We are in the same zone as you in SW PA. I find your videos very helpful as this 2022 season is my 2nd garden. Thanks for all your help! I would be lost if it wasn't for the Gardening RUclipsrs! Many Thanks!
I'm glad to hear you've got a nice sunny spot, and that you finding the videos helpful. I hope this gardening season is a great one for you!
I am happy to have found you this morning. I am a week behind sowing my seeds and was mad because I thought there was no hope... but here you are with HOPE. Getting started today using the foil method. I am here in TEXAS Zone 8A so I do have a south facing window in an enclosed patio so I will prepare the setup today... sitting here excited already at the possibilities. 😀
So glad to hear this! Happy sowing!
I start seeds indoors and move them out to a raised bed as soon as they sprout. The raised bed has a plastic hoop house type cover that acts like a little greenhouse.The cover is on hinges so it is retractable. Best thing about this is I can raise it just a little on warm days to let some breeze through and harden the plants off so they are not all shocked when they are introduced to wind after transplanting. It protects the plants during mild freezes. For hard frosts, I bring the plants back into the house.
Hi Jenna! This is Glenn from Layton Utah. I live in zone 5 and start a lot of my vegetables from seed indoors, tomatoes, peppers, and onions. This year I tried your reflective grow boxes They worked wonderful. They are in south-west windows. I am also trying your frost cloth covering with my onions and carrots for the first time .I so enjoy your videos and the information that you give. Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear this worked well for you!!
Jenna great idea with the reflector box in the window.
Thanks! I was pleasantly surprised with how well it worked!
You don't know how much I needed this video. Fingers crossed! Thank you, Jenna
Oh good- I'm glad to hear that, Suzanne! Best of luck!
GREAT ADVICE!! I'm soooo excited about starting earlier this year. Last year was my first year with a garden in all of my adult life and I'M OBSESSED!!
Yes! Another obsessed gardener- it makes me so happy to hear this!
Great ideas! I started the milk jugs cold sowing this time and they're working great! I'm going to try the aluminum foil method now and see how well it works for me. I really didn't want to invest in the grow light set-up just yet. Thanks for the advice!
I'm glad to hear the cold sowing is doing well for you- that gives me hope!
@@GrowfullywithJenna ? 》 ♧¡ ¡ ♢♡♡ 》》》》♡♤♧
Great video, it was very informative and straight forward. I started my seeds in February, I put them next to the window where the sunlight at, and it worked well. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks! I'm glad to hear your seedlings are doing well!
Thank you so much! I was discouraged at even starting my plants inside due to the many people saying you can't! I appreciate this so much and can't wait ti get started! I can't do grow lights right (money) and this is the first year I have even tried to grow plants! Thank you so much for showing me because I am honestly not sure what I'm doing! This will be a trial and error deal!
Very well-done and informative!
I use shop lights with T-8 bulbs for my seedlings and keep them about 2” above the plants. Get excellent results!
Time to get excited about getting things started! I put some radish, lettuce and arugula seeds in Mar 1 under my poly tunnels. I never tried to put things in the ground this early. It's warm right now and they may germinate in the next couple days but I'm nervous about next weekend when it may get down to the low 20's. We'll see how they do.
I was debating doing the same! I hope they stay snug & warm in those poly tunnels!
Yay! Winter sowing is great! I have 120 jugs out right now. 1/2 are flowers.
How fun!!
Thanks, Jenna! Very great ideas. I am running around the house putting cups, trays, and pots in the windows. I did just open a plastic baggie that t had sealed some tomatoes in tiny peet pots inside of ), and that seemed to really soften up the cardboard with moisture, kept the soil moist, while getting those seeds to crack. Thanks.
I have done this trick with the foil wrap in the past. It works great.
Good to know!
I use an LED shop light, it doesn’t heat up. It’s propped up with scrap lumber, not hung (so no shelf needed). I have 8 flats in the greenhouse, and I don’t heat the whole greenhouse but I use heat matts. That bottom heat is plenty if you trap it with light plastic, humidity domes or frost blankets. No need to heat up the whole greenhouse. Another way to grow in the greenhouse is using one of those red heat lamps that are used for chicks. Instead of heating the air you’re radiating that heat at the plants that need it. Loved that video! I still believe in growing without any special equipment.
Thanks so much for sharing! We've got those 'chick lights', so I'll have to give that a try!
I got my whole light setup from Walmart. Each 4ft LED shop light fixture was $19 and the Shelf was $90. All in the hardware section of Walmart. It's working really well. Also I bought a cheap timer there for six bucks and I am running lights for 20 hours a day.
Good deal!
I low-key can see kids coming in the comments and saying stuff like only in ohio etc- but ty for the help! :)
I am working on growing sunflowers for fun and this help
As a Zone 9B gardener, I should be able to direct sow everything for summer, but this year, we're still in the 60s during the day despite June starting tomorrow, and my summer crops are mad at me. And, the snails are vicious and loving this cool weather, so the seedlings that DO pop up outside are quickly mowed down by these hordes of slimey garden demons. So... my kitchen cart is situated under my kitchen window and are now full of seedling pots where I'm trying to get cucumbers and squashes large enough to transplant and have a chance of surviving. These tips are so helpful!! Especially since I'm really unused to starting seedlings indoors....
Jenna,
I am reporting from Gettysburg, PA. I use Winter Sowing. It works, but one thing one must do, in my opinion, is to keep the soil lightly misted. The top of the soil can dry out quickly in the Winter. Pertaining to your idea of the reflective panel, what a great idea! I have my jugs outside right now, but I will try this technique for my next batch of seedlings. Again, thanks for a no brainer.
Tom Cahill
Thanks for sharing, Tom.
I've not had that experience with my winter sowing- but I'm sure in areas that are experiencing drier winters this will help!
This is perfect! I forgot about the foil reflective backdrop! When you had that box cut up, it would be tempting to cover with foil, then tape box together. With winter-sowing I did use that method(northeast Ohio) one year. That was a few years back and the only “successful” celery I’ve grown. Those winter sown seedlings were small, but super hardy and are very well. So I could never compare them to greenhouse starts. Those tomatoes did really well too.
I have been looking a long time for someone to talk about starting seedlings indoors without grow lights. All I can find is "not recommended, you should use grow lights." I think that throughout history, gardeners have tried to get a jump on their growing season indoors - noone had grow lights. (when I was young, the only people who did were the pot growers.
I'm sure some of our ancestors were clever enough to rig up workable solutions. I thought about using mirrors in front of a window, just a thought, haven't tried it. Thanks for the logical answers, I'm glad to hear solutions, not absolutes.
I agree with you 100%- I always try to think about how folks did things before we had all these 'advancements' in technology 😄.
I also don't believe there are many absolutes in gardening!
Thank you! I have been looking ALL over trying to find out how to do this without grow lights. Much appreciated!
Glad I could help!
Hello. I;m in Chicago and I really, really want to thank you for this video. You made my day with the idea of the "Reflecting" thing that I'll use in the next week with my peppers and tomatoes
Hello Lupita! Best of luck with your peppers and tomatoes!
Really interesting experiments with the window sowings! Thanks for sharing.
I use a 4’ x 2’ four-bulb fluorescent grow light with T5 high output, 6500K color temp bulbs. Got it from a local hydroponics store for around $110. It works very well in terms of light output for starting seeds indoors, but it does generate a good amount of heat.
I would have no problem using a big LED shop light. I was just at Menard’s with my dad and he picked one up for about $70 that puts out 10,000 lumens at 5000K color temp. You can go even cheaper than, but that one has a good light spread due to larger ballast.
Thanks for sharing the lights you use!
I recently moved from Ashtabula County, Ohio back to my childhood home area in upstate NY. Right on the shore of Lake Ontario, also 6a. I managed to get garlic in the ground before winter set in. Now I'm getting excited to get a garden in here. Spring is almost here! :-D
Lovely! Enjoy that new garden!
ive had success with a "bakers shelf" (wire shelf from Trinity brand i get at Costco) and LED shop lights.
NO you cant grow a lot of sun loving plants under it, but you can absolutely start seed, and you can keep some houseplants going quite well (because i rooted houseplant cuttings under them in a dark/windowless room)
Great idea!!
I keep aquariums so I had so extra led aquarium plant lights laying around, I've been using them for starting seeds and everything looks so healthy. Not one of my tomatoes is leggy! If you want to try aquariums lights be sure to get plant ones, I like the Nicrew brand since they're super bright and fairly priced.
What a smart trick! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve got the same metal shelf as you, they are so easy to hang lights from! I have one shelf that has great value grow lights, one that has 2-5000 lumens shop lights (Walmart), and one that has 2-7000 lumens shop lights (Lowes), both sets of shop lights are in the color daylight (about 4-5,000 kelvin/color temp) and I will definitely be going with the higher output shop lights from now on for seedlings. I find my highest rated lights don’t have to be as close to my seedlings I have them mounted all the way up and they haven’t stretched at all and look great, they do get a little bit warm but don’t seem to affect the plants so far. But the lower rated lights have to stay that standard 2-3 in above the plants range so I’m constantly having to move them up with the plants.
Yes- good point about the lower rated lights! It can be a bit tedious to have to move them all the time to keep them just above your seedlings. Thanks for sharing what you are using!
EJ, could you tell me how far your shelfs are apart?, Thanks
Thank you for your information. It's been years since I've been able to have a garden. I'm inspired by your teaching, Thank you and God bless you and your family
You are welcome- I hope you are able to have a garden again some time!
@@GrowfullywithJenna planning on it this year. Thanks
Good blessed morning from Down Under to Ohio. Just gone 8am here Sat morning. Sunrise at 5.30 (ish). Just entered autumn (Fall) so sunset at around 6ish. Start of @12/12 light cycle.
Ohwel, time to get out into the garden for the day.
Sorry, ranting again. Loving the content
Good morning and thank you! I hope you enjoyed your day in the garden... I'm still impatiently waiting for things to warm up here... but spring is on its way!
Ahhh beloved Spring. Wishing you the best weekend.
Jenna, you're a smart cookie! I can tell that this is your passion.
Thank you!
I'm in Michigan and I too started winter sowing for the first time. Very excited to see how it turns out.
I hope it goes well for you, Mary!
I turn the trays Daily, put them out over daytime. So far, so good. Last year I didn't expose them to drafts enough, the stalks had little Resistance. Luckily most I could plant in the ground up to the leaf and they were fine.
Glad to hear that worked for you
Helpful tip. Dollar stores have foil based car windshield coverings that work excellent for the reflective foil you need. Cheap and easy.
Great tip!
Super informative video Jenna. We live in NZ in the North Island where we don’t get snow, and while our winters are quite mild, our temperatures do dip into the low 3 to 5C with some frosts. So the first plantings of veg did not yield half as much as we would’ve liked, so we are adopting a different approach this time, and will also start with seed sowing. Since it’s not overly cold here in the winter, we’ll use a small cold frame without heat or lights, and hopefully see some results. I’ll report back to you on how that works out. Thank you for the very helpful videos.
That sounds like a good plan! I hope it works well for you!
I'm using 4' 4800LM, 5000k daylight LED shop lights and they do a great job for seed starting. Oh, I also use Mylar tented over the lights to reflect light back to the plants. 😊
Thanks for the tips!
That box joints can hold in ten minutes with wood glue and never come lose. I'd just glue and sat something heavy for 10 minutes.
Love your aluminum foil idea ,Hopefully my neighbors see this for they use windows and sure your reflection box is improving the window system.
Thanks for your teaching Lady
Great idea!
Just picked up some shop lights at Menards for $17.00 They are 5K Lumens, plenty of light to start and maintain seedlings. I bought these to replace a couple 4K lumen lights i got a couple years ago.
My grow room is horizontal due to sloping ceilings on the 2nd floor, not tall enough for shelving units, but I make it work.
Great video, once again!
That sounds like a great deal, Brian! Thanks for sharing!
@@GrowfullywithJenna Was little disappointed after opening the box, instead of a double tube fixture it is a single tube. I will make them work, very intense light however.
We have used the reflective box to great effect for many years. We elevate the box in the window to get even more light and warmth.
Great idea!
Createrontherise congratulations my favorite Gardener Teacher and for the past 8 months. Don't know why you wouldn't be recognized. I myself have mentioned your "Growfully with Jenna " on my Facebook, Several websites and by voice face to face around Columbus OH. Hopefully you fill I'm your favorite fan.
Thanks for your teaching Lady
I truly appreciate your support, John. Thank you!
I also set up lights under an Amish worship bench and a vintage pastry table. Use eyehooks. You can use table underneath too.
That sounds lovely!
I'll be winter sowing about the first of April, I did it too early last year. I will also be trying to start our plants in the house for the first time. I've got cardboard and lots of foil...I'm glad you showed that trick. Thanks! We have a large south facing picture window so the dining room table will be of use. Since we don't sit and eat at it very much anymore. Empty nesters lol. I have the same little greenhouse with the plastic cover and zipper front that you have in one of your past videos. That will be set on the patio out of the wind again this year in April. It will get most of the sun morning and mid day. Thanks for the tips! Take care!
Ooh- that picture window should be perfect!
Your comment about the dining room table made me chuckle-- we should be using ours instead of crowding everyone around the tiny island... but it's currently covered in seed starting supplies and painting projects 😂. Happy sowing!
@Michael Marchione, what zone do you live in? I'm in 6a and didn't start winter sowing but still want to if possible. Your thoughts?
@@GrowfullywithJenna I would also like your thoughts Jenna on late winter sowing. New subscriber here from
The Great Lake State of Michigan🐢
@@SisterShirley Hi Christine! I'm in Zone 4a NNY. Last year I started winter sowing for the first time in January and February. I had a 50% success rate. I think I was too early for tomatoes and peppers. Greens, some Herbs, and cold hardy stuff worked the best that early. But, I did get some tomatoes, but not my favorite ones lol. I did have perennials that did well like Larkspur as an example. Take care!
@@SisterShirley now is the time to start, am having germination from my frost hardly plants that I planted in the middle of February, those that I did in the last of February like spinach and okra is yet to start except for the Alyssum and baby breath am keeping my fingers crossed, am in zone 7b, good luck
So, so useful this video (well to be honest all of your videos speaks so much to me😍). Many of this methods I already use for years in my garden (zone 6, Romania). Thank you for all the inspiration and info I get watching your videos. Have a great gardening year!
Thank you! I hope you have a great gardening year as well!
Love that reflective box! Thanks!
You are welcome!
I had a huge issue last year with leggy herbs. all died except for one sweet basil and one opal basil. I kept them and over time they grew stronger. But it is heart breaking to see my nature buddies die off like that. I believe my apartment windows are north east, so your foil recommendation will help a ton. Since I have to buy drinking water, I can reuse my bottled water as started, use your foil idea by attaching it to the bottle, and sit the seedlings in the window. Thanks for that idea
I'm sorry to hear that! I hope that this helps!
Nearly one year later I put hay bales around key poly tunnel the inside was not warm but cossie the seed sprung up in no time even going to fare like the broccoli started to produce small heads but did not develop but every thing else done very well but you learn as you go brilliant idea I also buried some of the bales half way down they went very well even the ground was warm frost did not get a peep in
My neighbor done the same as me but had mice problem I didn't I have cats they get to lye on the heated bales a deals with them kill as you go policy which is great you know you have to work with nature 🤣😺don't us posions or traps bring in the predators what wonderful ideas you have to share with us thank you so much you might try out some of these ideas 💡 very Gardner should get a cat they are pure psychopaths the kill stuff leave it at you door as if to say now sell that on eBay
Keep up the good work
God bless
Patrick
I desperately need a cat (or 2) who's a good mouser (and that can get along with my dogs)!
I live east of atlanta and are last frost date is March 31 but with days like this week (in the 70’s) I’ve been letting my seeds sit outside in the sun. I also have one tray inside next to a window to see the difference in growth and hardiness.
Oh nice- I'm sure your plants are loving it!
@@GrowfullywithJenna both have been doing great so we’ll see how these next few weeks go.
Really great tips! One thing I’d like to add (from my own research in the past) is that flat white is more reflective than aluminum foil is. I believe you could use flat white poster board and line the box with that. It would be a cool experiment to try a flat white light box vs the foil box vs a light box with no reflective materials (just would help with some warmth?) vs no light box! I would give it a try, but sadly my southern windows aren’t the best due to a roof overhang (my front door faces south) and my biggest windows are facing north - the least amount of light. I’ve done my winter sowing about a month ago. Waiting patiently to see if I did a good job haha
Ooh- definitely giving this experiment a try- thank you, Jess!
And I hear you on the winter sowing- I'm out there every day now peaking in my containers 😄
Interesting, flat white! I've been lining my grow areas with mylar blankets (the kind they give you after finishing a cold weather marathon). Thinking of changing a few things next year will try the flat white. Thanks.
I am going to this and have my boys help me with this experiment! So excited. Thank you.
@@brianseybert2189 np! Foil is still a good reflector, but it can cause heat spots due to crinkles (same with some Mylars)
Here’s a video experiment: ruclips.net/video/gUZ269_i-X0/видео.html
@@carmgenuardi1738 oh nice! That’s a great science experiment for kids to learn about light and photosynthesis!
Here’s a video experiment someone did so you get an idea: ruclips.net/video/gUZ269_i-X0/видео.html
Excellent excellent job! You are such a good communicator and so organized - very very useful! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Alan!
Your amaryllis is stunning! Great video to help those without lighting to be able to grow with windows or winter sowing.
Got shop LED lights @ Walmart under 20 each plus did purchase LED T5 lights. Actually the expense mainly shelves vs lights. I have only right now shop lights going vs T5 want to do a compare. I like you can't quite start anything outside Cole crops. Mid March I can start. I totally agree that for transplants you really don't need more than shop light with 5000 Kelvin and daylight or 6500 lumens.
Thanks, Kittie- I've gotten such a kick out of that amaryllis-- it was sent to me before Christmas, put on its initial blooms and I figured it was done. I forgot to throw it out and then one day it just started sprouting out again!
Also, thanks for sharing the type of lights you're using!
Thank you for the reflecting box, this is genius. I also live on OH and I was going to start my seeds this weekend but couldn’t get to it today. I also didn’t want to start them to early so they didn’t get leggy. LOVE this, I am doing it today.
Glad it was helpful, Laura! Happy planting!
I think it you turn your plants 180 degrees everyday while the plants are in your windows will help your plants from stretching towards the windows so much!
It certainly helps, but doesn't completely prevent stretching. They still want to stretch, but the plant stems will be straighter if you switch them back and forth like this.
If you need heat to germinate seeds..I’ve found that using an electric drying airier works..especially if you use that trick of putting seeds on damp kitchen paper in a plastic sandwich bag..just pop on top something you’ve put on the dryer
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for this info. First channel I've seen to address this issue, since we don't have the resources for all the fancy grow lights.....
You're very welcome!
Thank You for the aluminum-covered cardboard box idea. I'll try this with some daylily seeds.
You're welcome- best of luck!
Jenna...so ths year..i.bought 4 foot led grow lights at ocean state job lot store.25 each...and i already had three tier cheap racks from walmart...20.each..they're 2 feet wide so side by side then i.hung the 4 foot lights...worked amazing and I put 6-24 inch flats on the rack..the whole thing cost about 90...totally worth it and pretty cost effective..the top rack.is just brassica so.dont really need the lights...I got a ton growing in a 4 foot little space...
Nice! Sounds like a great setup, Ruth- thanks for sharing!
Wow! Lot of info. So I will tell you what I discovered and currently using.
Two years ago I went with 2’ wide 5 shelf rack on wheels so I could move it easily. This fits perfect in front of window. I started with Barrina LED lights to fit the rack, pack of 8. These did ok, but wanted more power. This year I got another rack same width just less depth and bought another set of Barrina list, but these have 2 strips of LED lights/pack of 6. In studying lights (manufacturers make it difficult because they have no set standards). I chose to look at the spectrum of color the lights give off on what seedlings need, not flowers.
Vegetation needs blue and green lights. Flowering needs red. There is also the brightness or Kelvins to consider and should be around 5-6K kelvins. This last set is a white light that carries more of the blue spectrum I’m looking for. They are much brighter white and of course higher kelvins because each light has 2 strips of LEDs vs. 1 as the first set had. My first set is more yellow light compared to second set.
Results:: I’m growing lettuce and spinach successfully so far. They are full and healthy. I like the rack on wheels as it will be easy to push on a small ramp to put outside for hardening off.
What I am aiming for is to re-work my small lean-to greenhouse with heat sink floor and solar power. However, we have something called crazy warm weather this January I’ve never seen and maybe 2 days of sun 😮. It is the 21st and we are finally going to get normal cold weather hopefully through February. Up to this point we have had 40s-50s and rain that has Poured! This has put a Kabosh on starting any winter sowing in jugs as they would have sprouted or rotted.
I’m hopeful going forward that it will stay cold. Last year was my first time winter sowing And I’m Hooked! It was fantastic except for foxgloves and delphinium which I’ve never grown, but will try again. I love how simplistic it was from hands off to little prep and money. I don’t like to up-pot seedlings-it’s messy, costly and unnecessary. And that’s why I’m trying to get timing right and I don’t want giant transplants as I don’t think it’s beneficial. I’m still experimenting with that with onions, peppers and tomatoes. The latter 2 I think I’ve seen other videos not have a problem to winter sow late like the 6 weeks before frost date, but onions no one has mentioned and I do want them bigger than a thread😂.
The brassicas were so prolific in WS and was able to share with a neighbor who accidentally left hers cook in greenhouse. I never met them before and her husband was doing a job for us and mentioned it and I said I have a lot of plants! We recently had to have his help again and he said, just give them some more plants this year as the ones last year did excellent! Win-Win and great new neighbors met🎉.
So I hope this helps as it’s difficult to figure lighting because there are no standards except Kelvins and color spectrum of which Manufacturers Don’t regularly supply the consumer with. The Barrina lights are about $60 or less on Amazon. They are not rated for greenhouse, but I don’t think I would need them out there if I get winter sow under control with this weather and timing for certain varieties. My aim is to keep the mess outside and the cost to a minimum. Plants and seeds are outrageous this year. Some places still have reasonably priced seeds, but those plants-Ugh! $20 for ONE PLANT when I can winter sow a couple dozen or more for the cost of a pack of seeds is a HUGE win! Of course I’m talking mainly flowers, but even vegetable plants are costly if you have a larger garden and you do preserving.
Last year was a disaster using coco coir as I should have used a ton more perlite as it holds too much water and molded inside. I’m sticking with peat moss, perlite and a handful of organic fertilizer to fill WS jugs. Peat moss from what I’ve read is sustainable. No need for high priced potting soil and Especially that silly sand they call seed starter.
Oh, and the T5 and T8 I believe are the size of fluorescent tubes in shop lights and nothing more. Those ballasts get hot and are energy suckers. LED are best. And if using electric outside be sure the cord is heavy and has a ground and really important that the outlet is GFI to prevent shock.
Wow! Lots of info from you too- this is great!
Lovely Amaryllis! I feel like a horse, in the gate, at the Kentucky Derby just dancin' around waiting for the bell to ring and the gate to open! My small set-up, with grow light, is ready. I am ready ...but must wait a little longer before I can start my seeds indoors, for planting outdoors in zone 5. I think I may try starting a few more things, using foil, and my sunporch window. Thanks for the great idea!
That's such a great analogy, Linda! It'll be here soon!
And I've gotten such a kick out of that amaryllis-- it was sent to me before Christmas, put on its initial blooms and I figured it was done. I forgot to throw it out and then one day it just started sprouting out again!
Loved your idea of the reflective box! Will be using this idea in the next season.
Hope it works well for you, Peter!
Hello from Yankton, SoDak- the original home to Gurney Seed & Nursery! (Loved seeing the box you lined with foil) I also just use shop lights ;)
Hello! I was lucky enough to peruse some of the original Gurney's catalogs from the early 1900s- very cool!
The last 2 years I've been starting some cold hardy seeds, like flowers & herbs in their own seedling pots inside large clwar totes. I can start them early, a la winter sowing, and I can keep an eye on the moisture levels myself. Once the weather gets nicer, I clip some tulle over the whole box, so that they're getting fresh air whenever it's warm out. At night the lid goes back on to keep them protected. It worked well last year, so I'm doing it the same this year.
I just don't have enough room indoors to start everything. Nor do I want to have to harden off a zillion seedlings. So everything I can start outside, I do.
Just found this amazing channel... Lets me go back and watch all of the videos from the beginning so I can keep up with new ones 🧐😂👍🤘
I only found her a couple of weeks ago. She’s good! I’m from Yorkshire Doncaster uk. Enjoy 👌
We’re all in the same boat. Lol man she’s dedicated. The hours that go into not only gardening but video edit and production too. Gotta love and appreciate that amount of effort.
@Klaus M. Welcome to my channel and thank you so much! I hope you find some useful tidbits here 😊.
@Paul Robison thank you 😊!
@Freedom Born thank you so much- it's really nice when folks recognize the amount of work that goes into this... but it's a labor of love 😊.
Thank you for sharing. Hi just set up my grow station like yours, the shop lights were a challenge to find finally found 5000k shop lights😆 I’m zone 6a Michigan so excited to start (late) my herbs. Now I can get started!🌶🌶🌶🌶🥒🥬
I'm glad to hear you've got your grow station all set up-- happy planting!
Hi 👋 Angie, how are you doing?
New gardener and subscriber here. Thank you. I appreciate the details you provide.
Hello & welcome- thank you for the support!
It's very common to overlook things like replacement of light bulbs.You could make a video,just based on that🤔.Along with power consumption, initial costs,heat transfer,how far away the light should be,etc,etc.UV light.. differences is light bulb design, efficiency, lumens per watt...etc,etc.
Great idea- thank you! Definitely a winter project for me though.
Love this reflector hack! I'm excited to try it! It's not pretty but it sure does the job!
I hope it works well for you, Heather!
@@GrowfullywithJenna My ever efficient husband had already recycled all of our cardboard boxes so I used a dollar tree project display board. Already it is about 10° warmer in my little windowsill area! I figure with the project boards, I can just fold them up and use them year to year!
The tomatoes can be repotted, placing the stems deeper into to dirt, burying them halfway up the stem or so. The stem will grow more roots, the roots system will be good and strong by the time you plant them outside.
Absolutely!
Great info Mrs. Jenna. Stay safe and have a wonderful weekend.
Thank you! You too!
I used to put my pot seeds in a damp paper towel, sandwich bag, then put in my sock drawer. Two-three days had a nice root and there you go.
Curious why the sock drawer?
@@GrowfullywithJenna Second. Boxers and tees up top. Shorts and socks in the second. Pants in the third and jammies on the bottom. Socks were just easier to move out the way. :)
@@GrowfullywithJenna Easier to move I guess. I can get to it and take a peek. Just a lazy pot head ;)
Thank you this is very helpful for beginners. I am in a CA zone 9A with a very long grow season. No snow and frost potentially maybe 2 to 3 months usually . I would like to try seeding in trays outside but afraid of them drying out. Or worse damping off. Have lots of seed packets but slightly intimidated. 🤔
You’re welcome!
Thank you for showing seed starts with out not having grow lights
Happy to share, Lanette!
Hi Jenna, another great video. Love the idea with the aluminum foil. The weather here at the moment is awful. We have had 4 weeks of solid rain. My whole garden has been flooded. Cant do anything outside, so it's a lazy sunday watching your videos. Cheers
Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that Keith. I hope it dries up soon!
Nice dogs! I also have old proper wood tables.
I made cold frame from old wood planks and then old windows on top, in colder nights covered with old blankets and in hotter days had to open windows because of moisture building up inside where it was so much hotter. That worked very well last year. Now we built greenhouse and i hope it will substitute cold boxes. Greenhouse with sealed north wall and cold sink trench.
Thank you! Cold frames and greenhouses are so useful to have- I hope your greenhouse works well for you!
Great information and delivery! New subscriber. Greetings from Michigan! 😊
Hi 👋 Diane, how are you doing?
Thanks so much, Diane! I appreciate the support!
I use T12 fluorescent lights they work great for me. I'm in zone 6 Massachusetts love your videos they help me alot.
Good to know! Thank you!
I use a mix of grow lights and shop lights and in the shop light I use at least 3000 lumen and 5000 to 6500 Kelvin bulbs
Thanks for sharing!
I have 1 heat mat so I'm using it for starting hot and sweet peppers. But I'm going plant crazy so I stole ALL of our tupperware dishes, put seed starting soil in them, added flower seeds (I have room and we get lots of bees here, plus, you know, pretty), added water, and covered with plastic wrap. I have them sitting around a heat vent since it's still too cold to turn the heat off so it's my diy heat mat for now. It's one of the ways I'm trying to make the most of what I have right now while spending the least amount to get started and trying to keep it as economical as possible. So, if we have leftovers (good luck in my house, it almost never happens here), you're stuck using freezer bags. And yes, I put some seeds in wet paper towels and sandwich bags too.
Sounds like you're making the most of what's available- smart!
Love the foil method ! Plus it keeps the bottom of the soil warmer .
Yes indeed!
I start romaine in the windowsill in individual yogurt containers. ....works well as they can be plopped into the garden early. In Ontario Canada so everything else goes under t5 bulbs. I'll give that reflective box in the window a try....thanks!!
Nice! Thanks for sharing how you start your seeds, Bob!
This is my first year starting tomato plants inside, and at the same time I'm testing the 1/2 gallon 'Ball Jar' hydroponics system using the 'Kratky' method for 3 'mini' San Marzano tomato plants.
Everything sits on a large desk in front of a south facing window, but I also supplemented the light with
a _clamp style 'five arm' Red/Blue Spectrum LED Grow Light._ I paid just under thirty bucks for it and the plants love it.
I also put some lettuce and green onions in grow pods, placing that box on top of a heating pad. Quick germination, and those will go in the ground when they get a little bigger.
I would like to grow more, but my limited area is going to be tomatoes and more tomatoes! (even using 10 gallon grow bags with my 'in ground' area) It's not that I'm obsessed with tomatoes, it's just that I absolutely HATE the store bought ones that cost an arm & a leg and don't taste anything like tomatoes.
I'm going to be a 'canning fool' this summer! 😂
Sounds like you've got a lot of fun experiments going on. I'd love to hear what you think of the ball jar hydro method. I think about doing it every year and never do.
I'm with you 100% on store bought tomatoes- happy canning!
@@GrowfullywithJenna As with everything, the ball jar hydroponic thing is a learning experience.
I saw this morning that the tips of the leaves were starting to curl.
Considering the only change was to larger jars with new water/fertilizer mix, I'm convinced the mixture was too strong. I diluted it by 1/3 and will keep an eye for improvement.
I'll keep you updated!
Thank you! I've been waiting for this video because I do not have access to grow lights so I will be using the aluminum foil method as well as the florescent lights. I have some lights on the bottoms of my cabinets and will use that before my wife makes me move them. LOL
You are welcome, Jason! Hopefully your wife lets you use them long enough to get those seeds started 😄
What a great video!! So much good infomation with so many different options for all of us.
Thanks, Nora!
One thing I tried this year is a grow box, so to speak lol. I got this really big cardboard box, lined it with tinfoil, attached a clamp light with two bulbs to the side and kinda close the flaps. One upside is it stays a little warmer than the house temperature.
It's not a ton of space but I had a bunch of tall narrow plastic bottles that I decided to use as an informal experiment for cuttings and seed starting to compare to typical shallow cells. It works well for those.
I thought about putting two boxes together. It'd be long/wide enough for three 72 cell trays.
That sounds like an excellent 'hack', Shawn-- those premade grow boxes can get pretty pricey and it seems like this would work quite well. Thanks for sharing!