441 Views
Spring seed starting
by
John Reilly
(IC: homeowner)
It's spring time in east central Iowa and time to start seeds. I start a lot earlier than most, toward the last of Feb into middle of March.
I still have seeds from e-bay coming next week March 16 thru the 20th.
I start more than 60 varieties of hot peppers, green peppers and, of course, tomatoes.
I start trays with 128 cell in them and I have 20 trays started.
I use "Metro-mix 360" which has no fertilizer in it. Because I have a water softener, I will use melted snow for watering. I will water the first time with water that has 'potassium nitrate' diluted in it.
The hot pepper seeds usually germinate in less than 10 days, green peppers in 7 and tomatoes in 4 or 5 days using heating pads under the trays.
As I said last year, I will use vinyl blinds cut into short strips for row markers. Just the number on the markers and all info pertaining to that number on a spread sheet.
I still have seeds from e-bay coming next week March 16 thru the 20th.
I start more than 60 varieties of hot peppers, green peppers and, of course, tomatoes.
I start trays with 128 cell in them and I have 20 trays started.
I use "Metro-mix 360" which has no fertilizer in it. Because I have a water softener, I will use melted snow for watering. I will water the first time with water that has 'potassium nitrate' diluted in it.
The hot pepper seeds usually germinate in less than 10 days, green peppers in 7 and tomatoes in 4 or 5 days using heating pads under the trays.
As I said last year, I will use vinyl blinds cut into short strips for row markers. Just the number on the markers and all info pertaining to that number on a spread sheet.
Enjoyed the project?
Published March 15th, 2015 2:42 PM
Comments
Join the conversation
2 comments
-
Sammokka on Mar 15, 2015Nice design! I have used fish tanks and large glass jars. This year I saved the plastic strawberries and blueberries boxes; this should act like a greenhouse and allow less work with watering and increase growth. I also love the paper egg carton can be planted; strait into the ground.
-
-
Douglas Hunt on Mar 16, 2015Wow, you have really got this down to a science.
-
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?