Hey there Becky! You have given me the inspiration to start my own homestead. Over the past two years I’ve watched your channel and you’ve helped guide me through canning, growing my own pantry, freezer meals and growing my own garden! It has completely changed the way my family eats and views food. You’ve helped my family more than you’ll probably ever know. We just wanted to say a huge thank you!
Get a large PO box (Home Depot, Lowe's) and attach to a post or attach directly to one of the wooden beds. Now you have watertight in-the-garden storage container for extra gloves, trowels, sunglasses, sunscreen whatever. This will save a bunch of trips to the shed.
I’ve done this for years! First, we just used an old mailbox that needed to be replaced, then we added another cheap one to the other side of the garden. Excellent advice!
Girl, don't overthink the compost. There is NO WAY that compost has pests. It is steam sterilized. Call the producer. You're creating a culture of phobic women. Garden is dirty. You're off the mark on this. This is NOT CORRECT?
We use a deck box from PatioWell! It works amazing! We use them for everything, our package box for our mail box (we’re rural so can’t have packages left on our door), we keep a square bale of hay in a big one, etc!
The boiling water method is for seed starting mix, not compost or potting soil. Mix mosquito bits into your compost, in my experience it takes care of any fungus gnat eggs.
That's what I was thinking. They usually pour boiling water over seed starting mix that doesnt have any nutrients. Hopefully not a waste of the nice compost
Hey, hot water kills bad things but also kills GOOD flora your seeds DO NEED from soil! Once spend good money for nutrients don’t kill it 🙈 it’s easier to get rid off any potential pests 💖💖💖💖
Good day! I have a suggestion. Are you putting the freeze dryer back in the corner? Since you have all those water sources on that wall(2 hot and 2 cold) a laundry tub would come in handy there. You could put your drain hose from the freeze dryer into it and you will have a place to clean tools pots and flats with hot and cold running water.( I am assuming there is already a drain there )😊 Love the new paint!
I wish we could post pics!! I started sweet potatoes three different ways. 1 add to jar with tooth pics, add the sweet potato whole in a jar and then laid 6 in a disposable pan with soil and kept them wet. The ones in the soil have far surpassed all others!! I wish I could show you!! Good luck this year!! I am "rooting" for us to all have successful gardens!!
Yes in the soil is the fastest way to start slips. If you bury them deep enough they will have roots on them when you harvest the slips. Danny at Deep South homestead has a video on it. So does the rusted gardener(Gary Pilarchik)
I just wrote that too. I start my sweet potatoes in soil every year. Last year I planted 8 sweet potatoes and I got over 500 slips. I ended up giving most away to my neighbors. I am only starting 4 this year for that reason. I also skip rooting them in water. They usually grow roots when being in soil, so I just transplant into pots afterwards. It means that once I am ready to transplant them, I have huge slips with big roots.
I also wanted to post pics lol. I started mine in the jar just sitting straight in the jar. I specifically chose the jar method because it takes longer (the sitting straight in the jar was more of lack of toothpicks lol) My last frost date isn't till may and I wanted to start them because spring excitement took over but I knew I'd need to slow the process down a bit. I still over shot it lol I have around 10 slips rooted in water already with like an inch of roots 😅. Now I know better for next year.
This is my first year using the mini soil blocker too! Space saving tip: If you turn your soil blocker the other way in the tray you can get 5 rows of 3 for a total of 300 mini blocks instead of the 240 you have.
After 2 years of unsuccessful bread recipes, I used yours yesterday... Absolutely perfect!! Thank you so much for the confidence in the kitchen and in our garden!!!!
Right??? I made Becky's recipe once and now all the loaves I try come out. I guess I just needed a win 🤷♀️ I also don't trust instant yeast, and I always activate the dry yeast before I start. I don't trust just adding the yeast with everything else and trusting it works
Compost soils have tiny essential microbes to help the seeds grow. Putting boiling water in may kill off those microbes. Microbes help your soil to stay sustainable
22:20 I can see why you wouldn't want a screen door, but they have a screen "curtain" you put over your doorway (many RVers use them) they're split down the center and secure with magnets... Perfect to open with a little pressure. They come in all sizes, I've even seen them on big garage openings. 💖🌞🌵😷
Hi Becky, I have been sterilizing my soil for four years now and it really works. You won’t regret it. Also, I made the mistake of using wooden sticks to mark my pots and they wick up the water and the marker becomes illegible so quick, redo those labels with plastic ones! Great job, you will be happy to have started your own onion seeds, it’s easy!
Busy Becky for sure!! You look like you’re slimming down Becky!! Your much more patient with those seeds then I would be but it shows when we see your garden. Thanks for the video!!
How long before you see slips with this sweet potato/soil method? I started some about two weeks ago. I can see roots thru the clear plastic planting container, but no slips yet.
I’m a retired elementary teacher and used to have a huge garden. I always canned and froze produce when my kids were home. I don’t have a lot of room now but am exploring Earth Boxes. I live in Redmond, Oregon, and intend to can this year now that I have a huge kitchen! You inspire me to get back to my roots again!
I was thinking the same thing. Compost is used, because it is full of microbes that make the nutrients available and useable by the plants. It’s like pasturing sour kraut, or kimchi or real yogurt. Compost has the prebiotics and the probiotics that your plants need. You just recreated the sterile seed starting mix that you were trying to get away from using.
@@gabriellekili2977 many of us use boiling water on ‘seed starting mix’ to sterilize for the exact reasons Becky stated but I think she combined that info with her positive experience using compost last year ..I am still in awe of this woman and she has taught me a lot, thank you Becky
Becky, first love watching all your videos. Second if you’re at Lowe’s or Home Depot purchase a cement mixing pan. It’s the perfect size to make soil blocks. Flat bottom & perfect height so you don’t have to reach into a tote to form the blocks. I’ve been using mine for 3 years and love it.
I only sterlilize seed starting mixes. This year, I am filling the bottom 2/3 of my cells with a mix of sterile starting mix & worm castings, then filling the top third with sterile mix. I am then planting my seeds & putting a light layer of vermiculite on top. It's also important to ONLY water from the bottom. Gnats won't lay eggs on a dry soil.
GOOD NIGHT BECKY HAPPY MONDAY JUST LOVE TO SEE YOU IN THE GARDEN WILL LOVE TO SEE THE FLOWERS BED IN BLOOM LOVE FOLLOWING YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO I WILL BE HEAR MARGARET LYNCH SOUTHERN IRELAND
I really love the fact that you are being way more organized this year with the garden. I love data and for that reason I love the fact that that you are going to have data to compare with other years. Also you're going to save a lot of money. I'm so excited to see the outcome of the garden this year ❤❤❤
You are probably the only person I can actually enjoy watching your videos all the way through without “jumping to the point” because you’re so knowledgeable, humble, charismatic and inspiring. Thank you girl for sharing yourself with all of us! ❤❤
I stratify my seeds a few days in the refrigerator, then a few days in the freezer, then finally a few days in the fridge again. For me this simulates cold, deep winter, then cold of spring. I took this class from PennState, their agriculture department. It has worked for me so far.
We bought a propane burner (the kind people use for deep-frying whole turkeys), and it saves us a ton of time. It can bring an entire canner full of water to a rolling boil in minutes. We initially bought it to boil water to pour onto weeds in our garden paths. It turns out that it's useful in many other ways we hadn't considered. It even allows us to do our canning outdoors.
Laura from garden answer covers her seeds that need light to germinate, with vermiculite. It keeps the moisture close and allows light to pass through. Happy planting!
Found out today from the ER that I have COVID after vomiting and coughing up blood for days. Happy to know I’ll have you to keep me company during my recovery
Ahhh Becky you’re killing all the good things about compost with that hot water! You’re only supposed to sterilize seed starting mix bc there’s nothing in it. If you want to sterilize your soil then buy seed starting mix to do that to. And if you decide to go that route then you should consider installing a small tankless hot water heater there in the grow room for that hose. They make small ones for sinks and showers.
So happy about the eggs. Our neighbor's chickens come into our yard to lay their eggs....blessings. They are free range chicks. There are a few neighbor's that have benifittled from the chicks as well. When they lay eggs by us..I know the hay...laying process area is clean. We have a grey chick that lays greenish eggs. ,
I've got babies up! Peas, radishes, kale, spinach and more in the dirt and gobs of herbs and fruit trees from seed inside under the lights. We have 2 indoor grow tents and we've been able to eat greens, tomatoes, peppers, and even a few cucumbers all winter. I harvested limes the other day as well! I'm a lifelong gardener/food producer (meat as well) and it's fun to watch your journey!
Becky, you have an adorable sun room...have you ever thought in having there a lemon tree and the eucaliptus you sow in spring? I think they should live nicely there during your winter ❤
I sterilize my seed starting mix every single year, and I have had between 98 and 100 % germination. I start fertilizing once the plants emerge in my water. Also, putting sand over the top after they sprout keeps fungus gnats from laying eggs in your new plants. (they come in when doors are opened, and certainly if you don't sterilize your mix. ) They are hard to get rid of once they lay eggs. So I'm thankful you took that step. Excited to start my seeds next week :)
Last year most of my garden died. I managed to keep 2 cherry tomato bushes and some green onions alive. lol. I learned from my mistakes. I live in the lower midwest. Summers are anywhere from upper 80's to 114F. I have shade cloth now, and an irrigation system. I'm adding grommets and sewing the edges of the cloth. (DIY was the only way to go really cheap but still have enough for half the garden.) My leafy greens get to sit on the covered porch so they don't bolt the moment I put them outside. I have sooo many seeds to try so I'm crossing my fingers I get a better crop this year, but hey, I'll just be happy if a few things survive! Those tomatoes and green onions made the best salad! ☺
I think we all had the same thoughts about the boiling water, but that's how we all learn together and learning in front of everyone is a lot. Thanks so much for sharing! You always have nice videos!
Becky..wherever you planted your snapdragons last year, you should see a lot of self-seeding. My mom planted them once and had them for years😊. You may see the same with all the flowers.
I’ve been watching you since you started your channel and I’m so impressed with how much you’ve improved your skills. I mean Becky with spreadsheets and labels for your garden?! You’re doing an amazing job.❤
Becky, I love watching your channel. I always feel like we're on a journey together. Today I was literally yelling at the screen saying don't do it Becky! You sterilized live compost! 😢 the hot water killed off all the beneficial microbes in the soil. Seed starting mixes are inert so it doesn't matter, but my heart broke when you did it to the compost. Especially when you haven't had a bug issue with that brand of compost. If I may lovingly suggest, please do more research on when to sterilize soil.
The boiling water is going to kill all the good nutrients that it seems you are wanting to use from your compost. I sterilize when i use cheap potting mix to start seeds, but not expensive compost. When you sterilize, plan to fertilize much earlier. Good luck on your growing season! I cant believe its here already.
I've been pre approved for a house loan up to 300k. I'm shooting for the 100-150k mark and every day I dream of that garden I'll have. Living vicariously through you as I'm limited to a pretty small containor garden 😅
Looks like the top grow light could be hung from the ceiling or a wood frame sitting on top of the shelving unit to buy you another layer of grow space.
Glad to see you are taking precautions in moving that hot water to the grow room. Years ago, my grandma spilled a full stockpot down her legs and had second and third degrees burns. I have never forgotten the pain and scarring she suffered.
Hi Becky! I am so excited about Spring planting this year! When you make your garden videos will you please include the date of your filming day. I know sometimes you have to schedule your filming and editing a week or two off and it would be nice to have the date you are actually planting. I'm in Texas, so I am ahead of you, but I am always learning for next year.
Hello Becky - I finally have my laptop back so am about to start an ACRE Homestead marathon catching up on all of you videos. We celebrated this great day our Lord has Risen cooking dinner(lunch) for our family and now they are off and gone over to our daughter in laws for another dinner. We are showing the original 10 Commandments to my 91 year old father in law. We actually got one of our raised beds planted yesterday and tomorrow April 1st we will try and get more planted before rain comes in tomorrow night. My marathon will continue after dark as life is getting in the way big time, gardening and finally getting the painting done in our home. Such a great idea to use boiling water to hopefully kill the potential bug infestation again.
Becky, to make my life easier, i've taken to carmelizing a big batch of onions at teh beginning of the month, freezing them in portion-sized pucks, and grabbing one per meal and thawing/reheat in the pan. This last month, i carmelized them in the crockpot which was SO much easier. Instead of carmelizng onions multiple times per week for meals, you're only doing it once a month. THat might be smth you want to try with the walla walla this year.
I remember my great uncle sterilising soil by running the heating element from a hot water tank through the soil in his green house beds. It looked easy!
For my harder to germinate seeds, I basically transplant from the germination test baggie into a soil block to ensure that I get enough healthy seedlings. It also helps me feel that my germination test seeds aren't being wasted.
Anyone looking for Fort Vee compost….Gardener’s Supply has it way cheaper than Amazon and my experience with their shipping is that it’s pretty quick. It is good stuff!
Thanks a million for sharing so unselfishly Becky. I'm dedicating 3 acres out of my 20 for a garden next year. I'm honestly learning soooooooo much from you my sister. Keep the videos coming 🎉🎉🎉
I use a tin pan with holes in the bottom then plant my Sweet Potatoes. It works so much better in getting slips.Totally love how you plant the tiny seeds I have got to try that. Thank you for the tip.
Hello, Friend! I started onions from seed, too. My older seed from 2 years ago did not germinate, but I reseeded with a fresher pack and I have tons of seedlings coming up! I'm so excited!
You can also start slips by laying the sweet potatoes on their sides in potting soil. Once they start growing well, you can cut them up and plant, or take cuttings and root them easily!
I’m jealous of you feeding the birds. We moved to the NC mountains and can not put out bird feeders due to the bears. I learned the hard way after the bears kept climbing on my deck to get the feeders. It’s also why I don’t have fruit trees but they leave alone the vegetable and herbs pots. I can only do container gardening but it works well for just the two of us.
You have the same nervousness every year, don't you? That means you are ready to learn and know that there are many variables at play. Can't wait to see what grows this year!
Hi Becky. I love your channel. You are such an inspiration for so many of us. When it says on the seed packet "surface sow" it means to put seed on top of soil. Do not cover it with soil. Have a blessed day.
Good job Becky explaining the seed starting method to help out the new-growers who need to have some success to keep on trying, learning and growing bigger and better each year. Awesome water/ toothpick getting a few tiny seeds planted in the soil blocks !!!, thanks for the new and fun information !!
If you find yourself getting more eggs than you can use, try looking into waterglassing them. My mom just started doing that with her chickens. It’s a way to save eggs without refrigeration.
Becky, I got a chuckle out of the handling of your kit. I'd have been all dainty and careful not to get the envelope dirty for fear the post office wouldn't throw it out. I'm going to give this a try. Always great video!
Same here, living up north in Sweden makes my hands itch when I see other in full work with the garden. Mine is beneath 3 feet of snow at the moment but I have started chili and peppers inside...ok, some tomatoes to, could not help myself. 😄
I completely understand feeling nervous nothing is going to start. I feel the same way every year and you are so right, if I don't plant anything there's 100% chance nothing will grow. Thank you for the extra push to get my seeds finished!
Yes always pour hot water on seed starting mix it works great for bugs also use vermiculite and perlite I mix my ! And I get no bugs ! Also I started bottom watering! Once a week ! Thanks for the video ❤
Hi Becky … l am glad you said that you were a bit scared about starting your seeds 😊 … l certainly feel that way as well !! … l always think about our forefathers that were feeding their families 100 years ago … if their gardens didn’t produce they had no food … it would have been a very stressful time. 🐨🇦🇺🐨
Thanks Becky and all of you in this wonderful community for your tips and input. I have got up the nerve to start my garden and am so inspired by Becky and all of you who contribute your knowledge and helpful suggestions. God Bless Y'all! ❤❤❤❤❤
Hi Becky! I think you are amazing, but I have an issue with "sterilizing " your compost. You literally killed what makes compost, compost!!! I love your kitchen meals! You are the best!!!!
the little shovel is called a Trowel (rhymes with towel) . I remember half a century ago baking soil in my mom's oven to steralize it. the hot water is SO much easier hehehe hugs from Oaxaca Mexico Jim
From your encouragement in videos, we took the seeds from tomatoes we grew last year and fermented them to get the pulp off the seeds, then dried them and started the seeds this year. THEY ARE SPROUTING!!!!! So exciting. thanks for the great videos.
Hello Becky, I love your channel and enjoy following along on all of your projects. I have learned so much from you and I have become fearless and enthusiastic with my cooking and my garden. You are truly a blessing. 🤗💕💕
Hi Becky I just wanted to take a few moments to say I love your channel! I started gardening around the same time you did and we are all just learning as we go. DO NOT LET NEGATIVE PEOPLE AFFECT YOU. You are popular for a reason! We are all learning together. Keep the videos coming and never apologize or feel you have to defend yourself to anyone. You are awesome Your loyal fan!
Becky you are awesome. I watch every video you put out. I learn something new almost every time I watch. I love the carrot planting tip with the toothpick and water! Thanks for being YOU!
I started my sweet potato slips on February 10th, using both the mason jar, and the soil method. Got little buds after a few days, but no meaningful growth for several days. When I moved them under the grow lights, the buds took off. Now at the first leaves stage, good roots are visible in the jar water. The grow lights made all the difference!
Absolutely gorgeous day today in Iowa. I’ve put together my new green stalk I got for Christmas and have cleaned up the garden area in the garage. I’ve got some seedlings started but tomorrow I’m looking forward to soil testing (home kit, not mailing anything) to start getting the containers ready. So much to learn about amendments! Yay 🎉 Have to admit I’m super jealous of your grow room setup! But you use what you’ve got right? 😘
Hey there Becky! You have given me the inspiration to start my own homestead. Over the past two years I’ve watched your channel and you’ve helped guide me through canning, growing my own pantry, freezer meals and growing my own garden! It has completely changed the way my family eats and views food. You’ve helped my family more than you’ll probably ever know. We just wanted to say a huge thank you!
That is awesome! Thanks for sharing that with me!
Amen you tell the truth it is happening to this 62 year old lady.
Thanks for sharing. I’m looking for my little acre as well. 🥰
@@firequeen2194😊❤❤❤🇰🇭🙏
She one of the best ! ❤
Get a large PO box (Home Depot, Lowe's) and attach to a post or attach directly to one of the wooden beds. Now you have watertight in-the-garden storage container for extra gloves, trowels, sunglasses, sunscreen whatever. This will save a bunch of trips to the shed.
I’ve done this for years! First, we just used an old mailbox that needed to be replaced, then we added another cheap one to the other side of the garden. Excellent advice!
Fantastic idea!
Girl, don't overthink the compost. There is NO WAY that compost has pests. It is steam sterilized. Call the producer. You're creating a culture of phobic women. Garden is dirty. You're off the mark on this. This is NOT CORRECT?
We use a deck box from PatioWell! It works amazing! We use them for everything, our package box for our mail box (we’re rural so can’t have packages left on our door), we keep a square bale of hay in a big one, etc!
Linda here…Excellent idea! I would put one mailbox on each side of the center-most raised bed. They can be used to trellis some beautiful flowers!
The boiling water method is for seed starting mix, not compost or potting soil. Mix mosquito bits into your compost, in my experience it takes care of any fungus gnat eggs.
Here we grow again!!
Doesn't pouring boiling water over the compost kill the nutrients in the soil.
That's what I was thinking. They usually pour boiling water over seed starting mix that doesnt have any nutrients. Hopefully not a waste of the nice compost
Yes, I think it does.
It kills the good microbes
Yes it does
Hey, hot water kills bad things but also kills GOOD flora your seeds DO NEED from soil! Once spend good money for nutrients don’t kill it 🙈 it’s easier to get rid off any potential pests 💖💖💖💖
I was here to say the same thing. Yikes.
Cant win
There was no point in doing this since she's not using a sterile mix to begin with.
This was my first thought….🤷🏼♀️
Not really. Trace minerals are not being washed away. And you do give fertilizer after on the seedlings.
Good day! I have a suggestion. Are you putting the freeze dryer back in the corner? Since you have all those water sources on that wall(2 hot and 2 cold) a laundry tub would come in handy there. You could put your drain hose from the freeze dryer into it and you will have a place to clean tools pots and flats with hot and cold running water.( I am assuming there is already a drain there )😊 Love the new paint!
Totally Agree👍🏼
I wish we could post pics!! I started sweet potatoes three different ways. 1 add to jar with tooth pics, add the sweet potato whole in a jar and then laid 6 in a disposable pan with soil and kept them wet. The ones in the soil have far surpassed all others!! I wish I could show you!! Good luck this year!! I am "rooting" for us to all have successful gardens!!
Yes in the soil is the fastest way to start slips. If you bury them deep enough they will have roots on them when you harvest the slips. Danny at Deep South homestead has a video on it. So does the rusted gardener(Gary Pilarchik)
You are “rooting” for us…You are “punny” 😉 ❤
I just wrote that too. I start my sweet potatoes in soil every year. Last year I planted 8 sweet potatoes and I got over 500 slips. I ended up giving most away to my neighbors. I am only starting 4 this year for that reason.
I also skip rooting them in water. They usually grow roots when being in soil, so I just transplant into pots afterwards. It means that once I am ready to transplant them, I have huge slips with big roots.
I also wanted to post pics lol. I started mine in the jar just sitting straight in the jar. I specifically chose the jar method because it takes longer (the sitting straight in the jar was more of lack of toothpicks lol) My last frost date isn't till may and I wanted to start them because spring excitement took over but I knew I'd need to slow the process down a bit. I still over shot it lol I have around 10 slips rooted in water already with like an inch of roots 😅. Now I know better for next year.
I'm pretty sure Becky did this test herself a few years ago!
This is my first year using the mini soil blocker too!
Space saving tip: If you turn your soil blocker the other way in the tray you can get 5 rows of 3 for a total of 300 mini blocks instead of the 240 you have.
After 2 years of unsuccessful bread recipes, I used yours yesterday... Absolutely perfect!! Thank you so much for the confidence in the kitchen and in our garden!!!!
Right??? I made Becky's recipe once and now all the loaves I try come out. I guess I just needed a win 🤷♀️ I also don't trust instant yeast, and I always activate the dry yeast before I start. I don't trust just adding the yeast with everything else and trusting it works
Compost soils have tiny essential microbes to help the seeds grow. Putting boiling water in may kill off those microbes. Microbes help your soil to stay sustainable
I have an electric tea kettle I designated to my grow room! Plus I keep the yellow sticky things up just incase something comes in from outside!
That's a great idea!
Snapdragon's are My Favorite flower! When I was little we went to a nursery and they showed us how they open and close, then I was HOOKED! ❤
I switched from onion sets to seeds a few years ago. I’ll never go back to sets. The seeds grow so much better! Zone 5 Ontario, Canada 🇨🇦
22:20 I can see why you wouldn't want a screen door, but they have a screen "curtain" you put over your doorway (many RVers use them) they're split down the center and secure with magnets... Perfect to open with a little pressure. They come in all sizes, I've even seen them on big garage openings. 💖🌞🌵😷
We love our split screen door for our garage to keep bugs and flies out
Excellent 🎉🎉🎉 I subscribed to your channel 🙏 Thank you very much for sharing 🤠 I also gave a like 👍
Hi Becky, I have been sterilizing my soil for four years now and it really works. You won’t regret it. Also, I made the mistake of using wooden sticks to mark my pots and they wick up the water and the marker becomes illegible so quick, redo those labels with plastic ones! Great job, you will be happy to have started your own onion seeds, it’s easy!
Have you sterilised your soul in nutrient rich soil?
No of course not. Sterilizing the starter mix because I start seeds indoors and don’t want bugs hatching in my house.
@lucieengen7046 but is it big box or is it high nutrient? Have you seen a loss in soil quality?
Busy Becky for sure!! You look like you’re slimming down Becky!! Your much more patient with those seeds then I would be but it shows when we see your garden. Thanks for the video!!
Sweet potato slips sprout faster and stronger if you lay them on their side in a tray of dirt about 1/2 way up the side and keep soil moist.
How long before you see slips with this sweet potato/soil method? I started some about two weeks ago. I can see roots thru the clear plastic planting container, but no slips yet.
I don’t even garden and I love watching and listening to Becky!
I’m a retired elementary teacher and used to have a huge garden. I always canned and froze produce when my kids were home. I don’t have a lot of room now but am exploring Earth Boxes. I live in Redmond, Oregon, and intend to can this year now that I have a huge kitchen! You inspire me to get back to my roots again!
Amazing, when I started to follow your channel you had under 100 000 followers. Now over 600 000. You are soooooo worth it🎉
Wow, thank you!
Becky all that is good, but I don’t have the room and space for a grow room, so give me some ideas of how to grow my seeds. From North Carolina
Hi Becky, Sterilizing compost defeats the purpose of using compost. Happy Gardening
I was going to say that. The hot water kills all of the good stuff as well so that was a very expensive seed starting mix.
I was thinking the same thing. Compost is used, because it is full of microbes that make the nutrients available and useable by the plants. It’s like pasturing sour kraut, or kimchi or real yogurt. Compost has the prebiotics and the probiotics that your plants need. You just recreated the sterile seed starting mix that you were trying to get away from using.
I came here to say the same thing. I am so curious what expert told her to do this and if they specified anything.
Good to know!
@@gabriellekili2977 many of us use boiling water on ‘seed starting mix’ to sterilize for the exact reasons Becky stated but I think she combined that info with her positive experience using compost last year ..I am still in awe of this woman and she has taught me a lot, thank you Becky
Becky, first love watching all your videos. Second if you’re at Lowe’s or Home Depot purchase a cement mixing pan. It’s the perfect size to make soil blocks. Flat bottom & perfect height so you don’t have to reach into a tote to form the blocks. I’ve been using mine for 3 years and love it.
Also a plain cat litter box works great.
I only sterlilize seed starting mixes. This year, I am filling the bottom 2/3 of my cells with a mix of sterile starting mix & worm castings, then filling the top third with sterile mix. I am then planting my seeds & putting a light layer of vermiculite on top.
It's also important to ONLY water from the bottom. Gnats won't lay eggs on a dry soil.
GOOD NIGHT BECKY HAPPY MONDAY JUST LOVE TO SEE YOU IN THE GARDEN WILL LOVE TO SEE THE FLOWERS BED IN BLOOM LOVE FOLLOWING YOU NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO I WILL BE HEAR
MARGARET LYNCH SOUTHERN IRELAND
I really love the fact that you are being way more organized this year with the garden. I love data and for that reason I love the fact that that you are going to have data to compare with other years. Also you're going to save a lot of money. I'm so excited to see the outcome of the garden this year ❤❤❤
You are probably the only person I can actually enjoy watching your videos all the way through without “jumping to the point” because you’re so knowledgeable, humble, charismatic and inspiring. Thank you girl for sharing yourself with all of us! ❤❤
I stratify my seeds a few days in the refrigerator, then a few days in the freezer, then finally a few days in the fridge again. For me this simulates cold, deep winter, then cold of spring. I took this class from PennState, their agriculture department. It has worked for me so far.
We bought a propane burner (the kind people use for deep-frying whole turkeys), and it saves us a ton of time. It can bring an entire canner full of water to a rolling boil in minutes. We initially bought it to boil water to pour onto weeds in our garden paths. It turns out that it's useful in many other ways we hadn't considered. It even allows us to do our canning outdoors.
Laura from garden answer covers her seeds that need light to germinate, with vermiculite. It keeps the moisture close and allows light to pass through. Happy planting!
Found out today from the ER that I have COVID after vomiting and coughing up blood for days. Happy to know I’ll have you to keep me company during my recovery
Hope you're doing okay. Watch Becky and rest.
The tooth pick and water is a brilliant idea! Thank you!
Ahhh Becky you’re killing all the good things about compost with that hot water! You’re only supposed to sterilize seed starting mix bc there’s nothing in it. If you want to sterilize your soil then buy seed starting mix to do that to. And if you decide to go that route then you should consider installing a small tankless hot water heater there in the grow room for that hose. They make small ones for sinks and showers.
And "sow" it begins!! lol Exciting!!🌱🌱🌱🌻🌻🥀
So happy about the eggs. Our neighbor's chickens come into our yard to lay their eggs....blessings. They are free range chicks. There are a few neighbor's that have benifittled from the chicks as well. When they lay eggs by us..I know the hay...laying process area is clean. We have a grey chick that lays greenish eggs. ,
I've got babies up! Peas, radishes, kale, spinach and more in the dirt and gobs of herbs and fruit trees from seed inside under the lights. We have 2 indoor grow tents and we've been able to eat greens, tomatoes, peppers, and even a few cucumbers all winter. I harvested limes the other day as well!
I'm a lifelong gardener/food producer (meat as well) and it's fun to watch your journey!
Becky, you have an adorable sun room...have you ever thought in having there a lemon tree and the eucaliptus you sow in spring? I think they should live nicely there during your winter ❤
I sterilize my seed starting mix every single year, and I have had between 98 and 100 % germination. I start fertilizing once the plants emerge in my water. Also, putting sand over the top after they sprout keeps fungus gnats from laying eggs in your new plants. (they come in when doors are opened, and certainly if you don't sterilize your mix. ) They are hard to get rid of once they lay eggs. So I'm thankful you took that step. Excited to start my seeds next week :)
Last year most of my garden died. I managed to keep 2 cherry tomato bushes and some green onions alive. lol.
I learned from my mistakes. I live in the lower midwest. Summers are anywhere from upper 80's to 114F. I have shade cloth now, and an irrigation system. I'm adding grommets and sewing the edges of the cloth. (DIY was the only way to go really cheap but still have enough for half the garden.) My leafy greens get to sit on the covered porch so they don't bolt the moment I put them outside.
I have sooo many seeds to try so I'm crossing my fingers I get a better crop this year, but hey, I'll just be happy if a few things survive! Those tomatoes and green onions made the best salad! ☺
I think we all had the same thoughts about the boiling water, but that's how we all learn together and learning in front of everyone is a lot. Thanks so much for sharing! You always have nice videos!
Becky..wherever you planted your snapdragons last year, you should see a lot of self-seeding. My mom planted them once and had them for years😊. You may see the same with all the flowers.
I’ve been watching you since you started your channel and I’m so impressed with how much you’ve improved your skills. I mean Becky with spreadsheets and labels for your garden?! You’re doing an amazing job.❤
Yay a Becky video! You made my Monday so much better!!
Yay! Thank you!
Becky, I love watching your channel. I always feel like we're on a journey together. Today I was literally yelling at the screen saying don't do it Becky! You sterilized live compost! 😢 the hot water killed off all the beneficial microbes in the soil. Seed starting mixes are inert so it doesn't matter, but my heart broke when you did it to the compost. Especially when you haven't had a bug issue with that brand of compost. If I may lovingly suggest, please do more research on when to sterilize soil.
The boiling water is going to kill all the good nutrients that it seems you are wanting to use from your compost. I sterilize when i use cheap potting mix to start seeds, but not expensive compost. When you sterilize, plan to fertilize much earlier. Good luck on your growing season! I cant believe its here already.
I've been pre approved for a house loan up to 300k. I'm shooting for the 100-150k mark and every day I dream of that garden I'll have. Living vicariously through you as I'm limited to a pretty small containor garden 😅
Such good news! You must be so excited!!!🎉
Looks like the top grow light could be hung from the ceiling or a wood frame sitting on top of the shelving unit to buy you another layer of grow space.
Glad to see you are taking precautions in moving that hot water to the grow room. Years ago, my grandma spilled a full stockpot down her legs and had second and third degrees burns. I have never forgotten the pain and scarring she suffered.
Hi Becky! I am so excited about Spring planting this year! When you make your garden videos will you please include the date of your filming day. I know sometimes you have to schedule your filming and editing a week or two off and it would be nice to have the date you are actually planting. I'm in Texas, so I am ahead of you, but I am always learning for next year.
Evening Everyone 😀😀
Hello Becky - I finally have my laptop back so am about to start an ACRE Homestead marathon catching up on all of you videos. We celebrated this great day our Lord has Risen cooking dinner(lunch) for our family and now they are off and gone over to our daughter in laws for another dinner. We are showing the original 10 Commandments to my 91 year old father in law. We actually got one of our raised beds planted yesterday and tomorrow April 1st we will try and get more planted before rain comes in tomorrow night. My marathon will continue after dark as life is getting in the way big time, gardening and finally getting the painting done in our home. Such a great idea to use boiling water to hopefully kill the potential bug infestation again.
You definitely need that carpet out of the grow room. I can't wait to see all the colors when the flower beds come into full bloom.
Becky, to make my life easier, i've taken to carmelizing a big batch of onions at teh beginning of the month, freezing them in portion-sized pucks, and grabbing one per meal and thawing/reheat in the pan. This last month, i carmelized them in the crockpot which was SO much easier. Instead of carmelizng onions multiple times per week for meals, you're only doing it once a month.
THat might be smth you want to try with the walla walla this year.
I remember my great uncle sterilising soil by running the heating element from a hot water tank through the soil in his green house beds. It looked easy!
Can’t wait for the 2024 vegetable garden!! It’s 70 and sunny here in central Illinois today ☀️ Saw my first garter snake of the season.
For my harder to germinate seeds, I basically transplant from the germination test baggie into a soil block to ensure that I get enough healthy seedlings. It also helps me feel that my germination test seeds aren't being wasted.
You can put a short hose with mist.
Yea..to 2024 Garden! So excited for you!
💖
By3
Anyone looking for Fort Vee compost….Gardener’s Supply has it way cheaper than Amazon and my experience with their shipping is that it’s pretty quick. It is good stuff!
Thanks a million for sharing so unselfishly Becky. I'm dedicating 3 acres out of my 20 for a garden next year. I'm honestly learning soooooooo much from you my sister. Keep the videos coming 🎉🎉🎉
3 acre garden, you will be busy! Jealous if you can't tell 😉
I use a tin pan with holes in the bottom then plant my Sweet Potatoes. It works so much better in getting slips.Totally love how you plant the tiny seeds I have got to try that. Thank you for the tip.
Hi Becky. I made the oreo truffles! It was so fun. Gave them as gifts at the nursing home where my husband is. Thank you. I love making cookies!!!
Wonderful!
Hello, Friend! I started onions from seed, too. My older seed from 2 years ago did not germinate, but I reseeded with a fresher pack and I have tons of seedlings coming up! I'm so excited!
I, too, discovered last year that onion seeds are one of the few seeds that need to be purchased/harvested fresh each year😢
I garden on my deck. For years I’ve used Earth Boxes. I ❤️❤️ them!
You can also start slips by laying the sweet potatoes on their sides in potting soil. Once they start growing well, you can cut them up and plant, or take cuttings and root them easily!
This is what I'm doing.They are growing like crazy 😅.I purchased some organic sweet potatoes and kept a few try.
@@delphine88313 yay!!! That’s great!
@@ChrisieCouncil 😊
I did a comparison the year I tried sweet potatoes, the soil method produced way more slips faster than the water method.
I love listening to your voice.❤
I’m jealous of you feeding the birds. We moved to the NC mountains and can not put out bird feeders due to the bears. I learned the hard way after the bears kept climbing on my deck to get the feeders. It’s also why I don’t have fruit trees but they leave alone the vegetable and herbs pots. I can only do container gardening but it works well for just the two of us.
You have the same nervousness every year, don't you? That means you are ready to learn and know that there are many variables at play. Can't wait to see what grows this year!
Good morning from Medford Oregon. Love your videos so much. Have a very blessed day.
Hi Becky. I love your channel. You are such an inspiration for so many of us. When it says on the seed packet "surface sow" it means to put seed on top of soil. Do not cover it with soil. Have a blessed day.
Good job Becky explaining the seed starting method to help out the new-growers who need to have some success to keep on trying, learning and growing bigger and better each year. Awesome water/ toothpick getting a few tiny seeds planted in the soil blocks !!!, thanks for the new and fun information !!
Yeah,2024's garden is on the way. Becky, you are definitely ready. Everything is in place. I'm looking forward to this journey!❤❤❤
If you find yourself getting more eggs than you can use, try looking into waterglassing them. My mom just started doing that with her chickens. It’s a way to save eggs without refrigeration.
Becky, I got a chuckle out of the handling of your kit. I'd have been all dainty and careful not to get the envelope dirty for fear the post office wouldn't throw it out. I'm going to give this a try. Always great video!
Hello Becky!! Can't start seeds here yet (Minnesota) so live vicariously through you❤🤗
Same here, living up north in Sweden makes my hands itch when I see other in full work with the garden. Mine is beneath 3 feet of snow at the moment but I have started chili and peppers inside...ok, some tomatoes to, could not help myself. 😄
I completely understand feeling nervous nothing is going to start. I feel the same way every year and you are so right, if I don't plant anything there's 100% chance nothing will grow. Thank you for the extra push to get my seeds finished!
There is something so soothing about seed starting day
Using a tooth pick. Fabulous. Exciting for those of us who can’t garden any more.
Thank you for taking us along with you. Blessings
I bought a bag because of you Becky , my goodness my plants love it.
Good day friend❤
Hi Becky so excited
Yes always pour hot water on seed starting mix it works great for bugs also use vermiculite and perlite I mix my ! And I get no bugs ! Also I started bottom watering! Once a week ! Thanks for the video ❤
BEckey I ran out trays as well I went to doller store and bought shoe trays ! It works
The snapdragon called "Potomac" is pronounced "pah-tome-mack" It is the River in eastern US
Yes,in Washington DC
✨🌄🌈 Hi Becky... I love watching your videos!! Tyfs! I hope your seeds sprout! 👍💖🤗
Hi Becky … l am glad you said that you were a bit scared about starting your seeds 😊 … l certainly feel that way as well !! … l always think about our forefathers that were feeding their families 100 years ago … if their gardens didn’t produce they had no food … it would have been a very stressful time. 🐨🇦🇺🐨
Thanks Becky and all of you in this wonderful community for your tips and input. I have got up the nerve to start my garden and am so inspired by Becky and all of you who contribute your knowledge and helpful suggestions. God Bless Y'all!
❤❤❤❤❤
Thanks for everything you do, Becky.
Hi Becky! I think you are amazing, but I have an issue with "sterilizing " your compost. You literally killed what makes compost, compost!!!
I love your kitchen meals! You are the best!!!!
the little shovel is called a Trowel (rhymes with towel) . I remember half a century ago baking soil in my mom's oven to steralize it. the hot water is SO much easier hehehe hugs from Oaxaca Mexico Jim
But also that you for painting the seed starting room. It looks so much better! A bear of a task but so much easier on the eyes. 🎉
From your encouragement in videos, we took the seeds from tomatoes we grew last year and fermented them to get the pulp off the seeds, then dried them and started the seeds this year. THEY ARE SPROUTING!!!!! So exciting. thanks for the great videos.
Hello Becky, I love your channel and enjoy following along on all of your projects. I have learned so much from you and I have become fearless and enthusiastic with my cooking and my garden. You are truly a blessing. 🤗💕💕
That was one good day planting. Just planted herbs ( week ago) so fingers crossed we both get a good start. 😊😊 always good to watch your progress.
Hi Becky I just wanted to take a few moments to say I love your channel! I started gardening around the same time you did and we are all just learning as we go. DO NOT LET NEGATIVE PEOPLE AFFECT YOU. You are popular for a reason! We are all learning together. Keep the videos coming and never apologize or feel you have to defend yourself to anyone. You are awesome Your loyal fan!
Becky you are awesome. I watch every video you put out. I learn something new almost every time I watch. I love the carrot planting tip with the toothpick and water! Thanks for being YOU!
I started my sweet potato slips on February 10th, using both the mason jar, and the soil method. Got little buds after a few days, but no meaningful growth for several days. When I moved them under the grow lights, the buds took off. Now at the first leaves stage, good roots are visible in the jar water. The grow lights made all the difference!
Let's go, Becky! It's garden time - I am so pumped!
Absolutely gorgeous day today in Iowa. I’ve put together my new green stalk I got for Christmas and have cleaned up the garden area in the garage. I’ve got some seedlings started but tomorrow I’m looking forward to soil testing (home kit, not mailing anything) to start getting the containers ready. So much to learn about amendments! Yay 🎉
Have to admit I’m super jealous of your grow room setup! But you use what you’ve got right? 😘