Thirty-six tomato seeds in peat pots filled with MG Organic potting soil + perlite.Yesterday I got out my new soil block maker that John made for me, and had a productive day playing in the mud. I ended up with 36 blocks that I planted with 5 varieties of peppers, 28 blocks planted with 3 varieties of lettuce, and 9 blocks of 3 each broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
Thirty-six blocks of peppers and 9 blocks of brassicas.The peppers really need to be on the heating pads, as they are so slow to germinate. I may have to move the tomatoes and let the peppers have the extra warmth.
Today I will start seeds of parsley and mesclun. I'm going to use the peat pots filled with MG for the parsley, as I still have a lot of those left, but I think I'll try an egg carton for the mesclun seed. Of course, everything will sit under humidity domes. I have a lot of the clear plastic containers that I've saved through the winter.....my rabbit eats a lot of expen$ive greens!
I do wish I could have found the seed starting mix like I used for my earlier tomatoes and peppers. That, mixed 50/50 with a cheap potting soil, worked extremely well. This Miracle grow seems awfully heavy in comparison.
Today I will start seeds of parsley and mesclun. I'm going to use the peat pots filled with MG for the parsley, as I still have a lot of those left, but I think I'll try an egg carton for the mesclun seed. Of course, everything will sit under humidity domes. I have a lot of the clear plastic containers that I've saved through the winter.....my rabbit eats a lot of expen$ive greens!
I do wish I could have found the seed starting mix like I used for my earlier tomatoes and peppers. That, mixed 50/50 with a cheap potting soil, worked extremely well. This Miracle grow seems awfully heavy in comparison.
Wow! You've been busy!
ReplyDeleteI am so behind on my seed starting it is pitiful but I have had my hands full with my kids lately so....the garden must wait a little longer.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using the heating pad for the seedlings! Much cheaper than those fancy heating elements you can order in catalogs! I'm filing this idea away for future use! :)
I bet you are relieved to be home and planting all your seeds. You must be able to set out tomatoes around May 1st? I need to start mine soon, according to the government's dates they should be started about April 12. I think I will start earlier though.
ReplyDeleteVery nice soil blocks and things certainly are looking steamy.
Dan, May 1 is doable, but May 15 is safer so I won't rush it unless the weather turns warmer than usual. I have found early planting doesn't always mean earlier yields, but rather plants languishing and waiting for warm weather.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, I tend to use what I have on hand. Can we say frugal (cheap)? The heating pads are waterproof, and on low they maintain the soil at near 80F...the plants I grew earlier just loved it.
ReplyDeleteGranny, that's alot of peppers! I really like how the soil blocks look. I may have to make me some next year. I might even make a pretty big soil block maker for tomatoes. Sounds like a project in the making....
ReplyDeleteEG
EG, in the past three days I've planted 161 pots/blocks. With the 7 that survived the trip, I now have 168 seeds/seedlings! If they all germinate and survive, I'm gonna have to buy a farm ;-)
ReplyDeleteWow Granny! That's a lot of seedlings. Your soil blocks look great too! I might have to try that in the future... now if only I could get John to make me one. ;^)
ReplyDeleteJenn, I'm thinking I might make another (smaller) one out of medicine bottles. The size I have is good for larger plants like tomatoes, peppers, melons, etc., but they take a lot of soil. A smaller one would be nice for lettuce, spinach, etc.
ReplyDeleteYou know you've got it bad (in a good way) when your bathroom is your greenhouse...although technically your bathroom is housing your three greenhouses. You've got your work cut out for you finding them a home when they shoot up six inches over the next few weeks.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, it's almost under control...I bought and installed the lights yesterday, now I have to get some plastic to drape over all to keep in some warmth, as the garage is unheated. I have to hurry, I see little sprouts popping up everywhere this morning!
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