Not a beginner seed starter, but having problems last two years with gnats. I think they are in the potting soil. Last year I used an open bag and that could have been the problem, but this year I got a pricier brand and the gnats started when I planted lettuce. Last year was a first for aphids! Oh what a mess indoors! Do you sterilize the mix? This year I would prefer to keep the mess outside. It’s too warm in the house and contributes to many problems. I’m starting seeds much later. Our frost date ‘says’ 5/12, but last year the weather was too hot in may and many outdoor plants grew too much and the last weekend of May we had a freeze with No warning from local weather. It was devastating as it killed so much or knocked others back. I almost threw in the towel. So they can say 5/12, but not planting out until 6/1 unless I have a low tunnel. So I plan on adding germination days to indoor plant time for the seeds I know take awhile to get going (peppers, petunias, ect) and by waiting hopefully it will be still mild and can easily heat the greenhouse. We can all get caught up in the frenzy of planting too soon in these gray months. However I’m Very concerned about the WAY above average temperatures this year. If it stays upper 40s to 50 degrees the fruit plants will start growing before it’s time and then the frost will take them out. Our normal temperatures should be teens at night and 30s daytime, we are above freezing at night and upper 40s and this weekend 50s 😮. It is for this reason last year’s winter sowing projects failed and basically can only do more of a spring sowing as the seeds germinate, freeze or rot. I am Totally with you on not having Huge plants to set out as that just sets them back at transplant time. And I don’t like the added work and costs to up pot-Makes no sense. So I’m trying to get the timing right to start seeds. Need to figure out this gnat problem. And how to protect fruit plants from too much early growth with crazy warm weather-shade them? Or be prepared with a lot of frost cloth and watch the temps closely because local weather can’t? We are in a low area, but local winery lost 95% of grapes on a bluff last year with freak freeze. Any suggestions are welcomed as it’s getting tricky to garden. Z5a, WI. Thank you and enjoyed the video.
You could use Coco coir or vermiculite, or a blend of both, they dont contain gnat eggs, you will have to fertilize them with diluted all purpose fertilizer becaus these mediums dont contain nutrients
Does heating up the wet potting or seed starting soil work? That is what I've researched, but does it work? This is my first year growing seed indoors, and I definitely don't want gnats!
@@Marie-mv6vs you shouldn’t have any problem with seed starting mix as it has no compost, unless they’ve changed that. Heating up potting mix will kill the eggs. They reappeared with top of the line soil when I started some lettuce. Will be heating ours in a Nesco roaster in an old pan insert and sprinkle with water. I would think 200 degrees for 20 minutes should do it.
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Okay, now that was SO informative and exciting to see! I am inspired to start my seeds ASAP with all this new information. Thank you Erin!!!
Thank you for all the wonderful tips.
Wonderful explanations! Thank you!
Im so excited to learn more things , thank you for your info.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
After your initial seeding time, should we continue to water the seedlings?
Not a beginner seed starter, but having problems last two years with gnats. I think they are in the potting soil. Last year I used an open bag and that could have been the problem, but this year I got a pricier brand and the gnats started when I planted lettuce. Last year was a first for aphids! Oh what a mess indoors!
Do you sterilize the mix?
This year I would prefer to keep the mess outside. It’s too warm in the house and contributes to many problems.
I’m starting seeds much later. Our frost date ‘says’ 5/12, but last year the weather was too hot in may and many outdoor plants grew too much and the last weekend of May we had a freeze with No warning from local weather. It was devastating as it killed so much or knocked others back. I almost threw in the towel. So they can say 5/12, but not planting out until 6/1 unless I have a low tunnel.
So I plan on adding germination days to indoor plant time for the seeds I know take awhile to get going (peppers, petunias, ect) and by waiting hopefully it will be still mild and can easily heat the greenhouse.
We can all get caught up in the frenzy of planting too soon in these gray months. However I’m Very concerned about the WAY above average temperatures this year. If it stays upper 40s to 50 degrees the fruit plants will start growing before it’s time and then the frost will take them out. Our normal temperatures should be teens at night and 30s daytime, we are above freezing at night and upper 40s and this weekend 50s 😮. It is for this reason last year’s winter sowing projects failed and basically can only do more of a spring sowing as the seeds germinate, freeze or rot.
I am Totally with you on not having Huge plants to set out as that just sets them back at transplant time. And I don’t like the added work and costs to up pot-Makes no sense.
So I’m trying to get the timing right to start seeds. Need to figure out this gnat problem. And how to protect fruit plants from too much early growth with crazy warm weather-shade them? Or be prepared with a lot of frost cloth and watch the temps closely because local weather can’t?
We are in a low area, but local winery lost 95% of grapes on a bluff last year with freak freeze.
Any suggestions are welcomed as it’s getting tricky to garden. Z5a, WI.
Thank you and enjoyed the video.
You could use Coco coir or vermiculite, or a blend of both, they dont contain gnat eggs, you will have to fertilize them with diluted all purpose fertilizer becaus these mediums dont contain nutrients
Does heating up the wet potting or seed starting soil work? That is what I've researched, but does it work? This is my first year growing seed indoors, and I definitely don't want gnats!
@@shads5875 coir molds and needs a ton of perlite. For starting a small tray to germinate seeds would probably be ok.
@@Marie-mv6vs you shouldn’t have any problem with seed starting mix as it has no compost, unless they’ve changed that. Heating up potting mix will kill the eggs. They reappeared with top of the line soil when I started some lettuce. Will be heating ours in a Nesco roaster in an old pan insert and sprinkle with water. I would think 200 degrees for 20 minutes should do it.
Why do my poppies grow to be 1 1/2 inches tall and fall over and die ?