My first set of seeds arrived today. Upon the advice I got from some of you, and my own personal bias, I decided to go ahead and order at least two varieties of most things. I also decided to only grow things that we love to eat and that we eat a lot of. That left out things like cabbage, bell peppers, most squashes, beets and snow peas because while we like them, we don’t eat that much of them, and we don’t LOVE them.
I’ve got another order coming from The Cook’s Garden as well. That order includes the rest of my herbs, lettuces, potatoes, asparagus, leeks, green onions and a couple other things I’m forgetting. I’d also like to try growing corn, but I’m somewhat intimidated by it.
Now I’m eyeing this light / heat set-up for starting my seedlings in the barn. I tried to start a selection of plants from seed a few years ago and only a few made it. I consulted my neighbor, a master gardener, and he thinks it was because we keep the house too cold. I’m guessing the barn will be even colder… Not to mention dark.
Anyone have any experience with using this kind of set-up? Something else to recommend? Do you use a timer to turn the lights on and off or just leave them on full time?
Next week I’ll talk about the beds I’m planning to build. In the meantime, how do you water your gardens? I’m seriously considering using drip hoses this year. I’d like to put in drip irrigation in the long term, but I’m not ready to commit to that yet.
Territorial Seed Company:
Artichoke - Imperial Star
Artichoke - Violetto
Broccoli - Hybrid Blend
Brussels Sprout - Diablo
Cucumber - Clinton
Cucumber - Cool Breeze
Cucumber - Poinsett 97 Organic
Carrots - Bolero
Carrots - Napa
Onion Plants-Northern Collection - 140-220 plants
Peas - Canoe
Peas - Galena
Pole Bean - Kentucky Blue
Radish - Altaglobe
Radish - French Breakfast
Spinach - Regal
Squash - Spaghetti
Tomato - Gills All-Purpose Organic
Tomato - Chocolate Cherry
Tomato - Principe Borghese
Tomato - Viva Italia
Dandelion - Catalogna Frastagliata Italian
Catnip
Chives
Dill - Long Island Mammoth
Mint - Spearmint
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Corn = EASY
Last year I was a VERY lazy gardener. I just planted seeds straight into the garden, watered but didn’t weed. Hlaf the things I grew died or never sprouted (or maybe they did but got smothered by weeds). The things that survived that were: corn, brocolli, cabbage (though they were decimated by bugs, i think i’ll grow them as a winter crop next time) and green beans. I planted the green beans with the corn using the corn to grow on… it worked great. Definately do corn if you have room. EASY
Each week I planted a few more rows of corn/beans so that I wouldn’t have a ton ripe at the same time.
I used some resources over at ATTA to plan some companion planting.
Anyone have any experience with using this kind of set-up? Something else to recommend? Do you use a timer to turn the lights on and off or just leave them on full time?
I’ve started our garden seeds in setups like that for years. Here are some tips…
1. Keep the seedlings very close to the lights. 4 inches or less above the tops of the leaves isn’t too close.
2. Use a timer to turn the lights and the heating mat off and on. Fourteen hours of light is about right - just keep an eye on the seedling’s growth and adjust if necessary. I’ve found that twenty four hour lights tend to stress plants out.
3. Unless your barn is warmer than your house, you’d be better off putting your seedlings in the house to grow. A heating mat can only do so much, and seedlings like tomatoes and peppers can become seriously stunted if exposed to temps below, say, 50 degrees for very long.
4. Give them some natural light on sunny days. Start them out slow so they don’t burn. Even the best lights are not as intense as good old Sol. It also helps to “harden” the seedlings for life in the garden later.
5. Feed very lightly with every other watering.
6. Transplant seedlings into progressively larger pots as needed - don’t let them become root-bound or they will stunt.
I’m sure I’ve forgotten something important here - but this should give you at least some idea how to proceed. I’d check the library or the bookstore for a seed starting book, too. Nancy Bubel’s book is a good one.
Good luck!
Phelan @ HomesteadingNeophyte.com posted a really good set bunch of posts about how she and her husband are going theirs.
Check it here.
I’ll be doing some of this later in the year as I start sprouting, but I’m still a ways off as we have over a foot of Utah powder on the ground.
Good Luck!
P~
Hey sister, you’ve got some very good information in the comments above. Just wanted to throw my two cents in.
Corn is easy, just needs lots of sun, weed control and nitrogen. plant in in among your squash for weed control. Try it- grab some seed from your local drug store. Easy peezy and a real treat come august. Pick it right before you are going to serve it for highest sugar content.
Artichokes- from my understanding they produce from side shoots after the initial harvest (2 years) and have a tendency to take over and become weedy. but really who cares. they are delish. try thinning out side shoots in 3rd year to maximaze size of chokes.
spearmint- my fav! lots of water and contain it. You inspired me to put some in around my water garden- can’t wait. OHH and uhhh (now I can’t remember where, try googling it) I found Marley mint in a catalog that comes in small plants- it is a direct descendant of the mint that grew in Bob Marley’s yard in Jamaica. It should have no problem surviving in your climate. What a great garden story!
As for brussel sprouts- that is one weird a$$ plant. I grew them for market 2 years ago. They took a lot of space and suprisingly needed support. They took forever to mature and ended up very spicy. Noone in my family could eat them even though they were the most highly anticipated crop. Besides they look weird; kind of prehistoric.
Good luck- dont you just love gardening folks. I swear gardeners are the friendliest people you’ll ever meet.
Please let us know how your seed starting works out. Growing transplants is always hit or miss with me.
Much love,
K