(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
Saturday Morning Garden Blogging Vol. 21.10 - Sexy and Exciting Storage Bin Seeding Operation [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-03-08
We are a friendly and active bunch, our diaries a verdant palate cleanser from the heavier fare in the the world. Please share your stories, anecdotes and photos. Ask questions, or simply introduce yourself. Shout Out to the lurkers too.
This Garden Blog is published every Saturday at 9AM EST, year round. We comment throughout the week and have some funny content for the group each Sunday. Thank you all for stopping by this week and we hope to see you next Saturday as well.
The Why. One of my earliest harvests.
Today, Saturday March 8th, is Tomato Starting Day here at House CW.
Really missed an opportunity here.
We have a lot of new gardeners this year, trying to save some money. Additionally, there is more interest in growing your own food, so you have more control over your food supply chain and soil health.
Before I get into how I start seeds, I have something to express for anyone stressed over choosing the best seed starting system. Seeds want to grow. You ever catch a plant growing in concrete? A seed just wants to burst from its husk, explore the air and reach towards the sun. There are many ways to do that one job.
The general basics: Plants need bright light to prevent legginess, cleanish water and just a touch of nutrition. The biggest risk for a first time seed starter is damping off, which can be prevented with getting the new seedlings under bright lights as soon as they germinate, bottom water to dampness (not wetness) after germination and then getting some movement in the growing area. A fan on low or brushing your hands among the foliage a few times a day. There is more detailed advice on each of these points but the goal of this diary is to stick to an overview.
Now with years of experience under my green belt, I advocate a first time seeder to start seeds for the first time too early, to get the mistakes out of the way. So when first-time damping off happens, or you have leggy seedlings (too tall with weak stems), you can toss those starts, research madly and try again, while still having time to re-plant and in summer still have a hearty summer crop.
Additionally, it may be a good idea to start small for year one. It's likely you will catch the garden bug, no worries there. Grow a few plants in some patio pots the first year, giving yourself some time to get used to where the sun and shade is as the seasons pass.
Or do what I did. Planting a little bit of everything you can, even though everyone thinks you might want to start smaller. Go big!
This monster squash is still sitting on my dining room table. I’ll taste it eventually. Lunga di Napoli
Do not let the perfect be the enemy of the good. Plant the seed.
Cotton Seedlings, a gift from Malarky Matt!
My System: Storage Bins.
+ Square pots (used). All different sizes. Tomatoes will be started in 3" pots. Peppers in 4” pots and most of the rest in 4 packs (also reused).
+ Heating mats in the bottom of the bin, with lids on for speedy germination. Goal is 80-85 degrees F.
+ Easy to stack for germination period.
+ After germination, seedlings transferred into a clean storage bin and put under lights.
+ I grabbed whatever lights were cheap and on sale. Most of are the red/pink/blue LED grow lights, I also have Gardener's Supply grow lights. Some red and white too. Lumens, watts and all that? No clue. I just go for BRIGHT. It works.
+ The seedlings stay in the storage bins until planting in the ground.
PROS:
-Keeps mess in the container.
-Easy to transport, a godsend during the in/out process of hardening off.
-Allows me to create a tropical environment for germinating nightshades quickly.
-Easy stack and store on the off-season, and some set aside to fill with garden equipment too.
-Can flip the a bin over to make a platform to raise baby seedlings closer to the light.
-It's so damn organized and orderly.
CONS:
-One HAS to keep a close eye on germination. I don't have damping off problems because I get the baby seedlings out within a day of germination. Need to check the bins 2-3 times a day. If you forget a day, you increase the risk of damping off because it's a wet hot air.
-Best to do a quick wipe-down with diluted vinegar, the lids and sides (inside), every 2-3 days.
-Not permanent. Bins to be replaced every few years, depending on where you store over the winter. Store indoors and they will last a decade. Or be like me, use and abuse them, storing some in a cold garage up north during the winter. Then you'll get 3-4 years out of the bins.
Hardening off the seedlings outside
Soil I Use:
+Cheap generally
+Potting soil, seed starting soil, peat, whatever is on sale that works for seedlings (light weight). Some soil mediums have fertilizer, some don't. I often mix soils so most soils have nutrients in them when I plant the seeds. Seedlings generally do not require any fertilizer until they are a few weeks old and after they have true leaves. Even then, the fertilizer should be balanced and weak, usually quarter-strength.
+National brand. I avoid local brands unless proven from the days back when I did not pay attention. Why? So many gardeners have had issues with contamination, losing any crop planted in that soil. It can take years for some contaminants to degrade. A larger soil company has a reputation to protect. There were many gardeners who lost their gardens to purchased soil contaminated with chemical contaminants in 2021 and 2022.
Storytime. I watch a garden Youtuber who has almost 2 million subscribers. She uses expensive potting soil and compost. Her garden and plants are stun-ning. End of January, I went online and bought myself some of that Rich Lady potting soil that she uses and pitches. Treat My-self! I also purchased the same brand of compost, which I mixed with seed starting soil (peat) to lighten it and reduce the ratio of fertilizer to soil.
Both the Rich Lady potting soil and the compost were very woody. Far more wood in these bags than the cheap brands and the occasional spendy Miracle Grow bag I buy. The potting soil even had a damn rock in it.
Basically, I purchased far too many twigs and wood chips. Rich lady must have a different distributor for her soil than the crap I got. I went ahead and used it as to not waste it. I trust it not to have any plant killing contaminants, per its nationally branded, but the quality did not live up to the price.
4 Minute Video — Where we are currently
What Do I Plant:
You mean, what do I not plant? I have been gifted seeds from the good people here. I also have tropical plants (that come inside October-April) and have grown tobacco. I have a peach tree, a rare find up north here in USDA zone 5a. I genuinely enjoy trying as much as I can, just for the fun of it. Even if it makes no sense for my area.
Today is Round Three of planting. I am starting tomatoes, zinnia, stock, strawflowers, coleus, foxglove, greens and 4 O'clock flowers.
Round one was planted in mid-February. Dahlia seeds (only 4 sprouts, sadly), artichoke and alliums (onion and shallot).
Last week of Feb, Round Two, I planted peppers, eggplant, moonflower, celosia, snapdragon, cotton, passion fruit, ground cherries, herbs and coles (cabbage, kohlrabi and broccoli).
Round 4 will be planted around mid-April. Melons, cukes, squash and okra from seed, more lettuce, potatoes and peas planted directly outside. Onions will be transplanted outside at that time.
Round 5 will be transplanting Round Two and Three outside, as well as direct seed beans.
Baby Basil
My very first home garden was planted in 2016; not sure how many tomato plants I had, I think it was around fifteen, maybe less. This year we are currently at 93 tomato plants, around 85 varieties. Less than last year, but still quite a bit. For this year, I will put a strong focus on canning and freezing the harvest. I also really enjoy making tomato taste testing videos, so I have a lot of varieties available to make more. Hearing what other gardeners say about a new variety is very helpful to me, and I hope my efforts to do the same for other gardeners is helpful. Paying it forward, as it were.
Dahlia — Robin Hood
Gardening can be as complicated as you want it to be. Or as chill. Many people grow less than I do, and that will save time, money and stress. So will purchasing plants from the Farmer's Market or a garden store. Some people will pre-sprout seeds, you can do that too, if you wish to test viability. I do not. You can soak seeds, or not. I will soak hard shelled seeds like artichoke, canna and moon flower. I do not pre-sprout nor soak culinary peas. I have mostly in-ground gardens and an herb spiral. Other people prefer growing in raised beds and patio pots, in high tunnels and hydroponic systems. A plethora of options.
I’ve come a long way,baby! One of the early fall harvests.
Every gardener nurtures his or her plants differently. And all of our methods are the right ones.
Please share any questions, comments or photos below.
Thanks for reading and Happy Saturday!
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2025/3/8/2308717/-Saturday-Morning-Garden-Blogging-Vol-21-10-Sexy-and-Exciting-Storage-Bin-Seeding-Operation?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
