It's almost a "go"!!
When my neighbor Pat moved last fall, she gave me some big asparagus crates. This morning I got a wild hare, and with Mr. Granny manning the drill, we converted them to seed starting chambers.
Mr. Granny drilled a hole in the corner, just large enough to put the rope light through. His job for the day was done. A 6' rope light was the perfect size for the bottom of the crate, and it was held in place with a few twist ties. Zip ties would have been nicer, but I didn't have any. This will provide the bottom warmth the seeds will need for germination.
The seed flat fit perfectly in the bottom of the crate, over the rope light.
Then the dome fits over the flat to provide a moist environment. It was a bit of a tight fit, so the dome bulged out just a bit at the sides, which might be a good thing, as it will provide some ventilation.
A second crate was assembled just like the first one, then they were stacked on my bathroom counter. I can assemble and stack a third one, if needed, but I suspect the first seedlings will be moved out to the mini-greenhouse in the shed before I'd find the need for another seed germination container. The first of the lettuce seeds will be planted inside tomorrow, and then....Let the gardening season begin!!
What a cool idea. I debated about getting one of those seed starting heating mats but don't have the extra income right now. Wonder if we have any rope lights hanging around. I should check my daughter's room (she likes to hang lights around her room). :-)
ReplyDeleteHowgardengrow, last year I used my two heating pads, which worked great....but the electric bill went sky high, so I didn't save any money by starting my own seeds!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea! I'm so far behind in thinking about getting started with seeds or anything else..it's still cold here and dreary..and dry..we are expecting rain soon and more sunshine , maybe that will put a fire under me..
ReplyDeleteWooHoo! Rope lights are great o this, I use them too! I never even thought of zip ties, all of mine are held in place with plain old twist ties.
ReplyDeleteHey, I thought I was the only person around that was starting seeds in my bathroom! Nice to see I have a kindred spirit. They look great!
ReplyDelete~~Lori
PS, when I told my hubby you were doing this, he cracked up!
those rope lights work like a charm - I'd bury them in a big sand filled box if it wasn't for 2 certain boys who would make a huge mess LOL!
ReplyDeleteYou're my educator -- you talk about things I've never even thought of. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping I'll be OK without a source of heat, though. I have a kitchen window with lots of sun, and we're moving quickly into spring here in the South. I may plant my heirloom tomato seeds tomorrow.
Ginny, it's still cold here, too. Real cold! But it's supposed to warm up into the high 40s by the end of the week, so I'm hoping to begin my garden prep then.
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Alison, I think the twist ties were actually easier. I tried a couple of small zip ties, but ended up cutting them when the rope lights weren't positioned like I wanted. At least with the twist ties they're easy to move (and remove).
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Lori, I like to start my seeds in my bathroom (which is NOT Mr. Granny's bathroom). It's warm, close to a water source, and I'm in there a few times throughout the day, so it's easy to check on things to see if they've sprouted. Mr. Granny never goes in there, so he can't complain about the mess! There's even enough room that I could put that other crate on the other side of the counter and prop a grow light over it, if it's too cold out in the shed for the earlier seedlings.
You tell your hubby a girl has to do what a girl has to do. ;-)
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Erin, I had intentions of burying them in sand, in my big plastic blanket boxes, and installing them in my mini-greenhouse. Just never found the time to get that done, but hope to get it set up this fall and ready for spring 2012.
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Dianefaith, I was just going to comment on your blog, but I'll tell you here...take that unfinished compost, dig a trench (or as many trenches as you have compost for), dump it in and rake the soil back over the top. Then just plant over it. It will disappear in no time, and add good stuff to your soil. Just watch potato peelings....those things always want to grow!
If you have a warm, sunny window, your seeds will germinate just fine. I only have a north facing one, and it's cold, cold, cold! I have to provide mine with extra heat.
woohooooo! may this year be your best ever! (and mine, too=)
ReplyDeleteYes, Kelli...YES! YES! YES! Go, us!
ReplyDeleteYou never cease to amaze me-what a clever idea! You're gonna have the best-est garden yet. Now, the weather must cooperate...........
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Granny!! It sounds like Mr. Granny helped out a lot :)
ReplyDeleteThe little seedlings are going to love that warmth....Yipee to the beginning of gardening season!!!!!
I hope that system all works out for you. I have a heating mat, but only use it to germinate the warm weather seeds. The seedlings can dang well grow in my 64F upstairs room. They did fine in the laundry room last year when the temps were between 59 and 64.
ReplyDeleteGreat little set up. I'm seeing those rope lights all over these days.
ReplyDeleteSue, it was 29 degrees warmer this morning than it was yesterday morning. Where there is warmth, there is hope!
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Robin, he usually is ;-) Actually, he was quite enthusiastic about it. I think it had something to do with the price of lettuce earlier in the day.
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Daphne, the only other spot I have is the laundry room, and there's already too much stuff in there. Still too cold in the garage or garden shed, so babying them in the bathroom works pretty well. This is my first time using rope lights, which I'm sure are cheaper to run that the heating pads I used to use!
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The Mom, they're cheap and seem to give off just the right amount of heat. I think they'll work well.
Hi Granny, I'm slowly re-entering the blogland! I love your homemade setup. I've been thinking about using a heating pad to provide warmth for seedlings, but maybe I'll look into rope lights. I showed Keith the picture of your crates in the bathroom, and he said "No, even before you ask." Boo. We unfortunately do not have separate bathrooms.
ReplyDeleteThyme2, who wears the pants in your family? Even if I only had one bathroom, Mr. Granny would just get ignored, and I'd do what I darned pleased. And he knows it ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Keith *Granny gives him a shy smile and bats her eyelashes*
These are great AG.
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