6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed
Well this is how I plan to sow the seedlings that germinated in my fridge. I mean they must be ok in cool temps in order to have germinated in our refrigerators.
I think as long as you have drainage in your aquarium then I think that will be fine. Then maybe some type of cover to keep out the frost and the critters just add a hole in for a vent.
At least this is what I plan to do, my roots are getting long also. I feel as if I lose some of the root I might still be ok. Oh and still not one true leaf, I guess that is from the lack of light.
I have a small one I made, it is 1 1/4 inch round diameter by 1 1/4 inch tall. This is my second year using it. Right now I am starting a few trial seeds in worm castings, so far so good for lettuce and Tatsoi. Anyway I used it last year and liked the ease of transplanting. Just dibble a hole and drop in the block then water. I don't know about all plants doing better with blocks but the small seeded were fun. Make sure you practice, you need the soil the right consistency. Watering was different than 72's for me. I just placed them in flats without starter pots and sprayed sparingly with a small hand unit.
Curt
most if not all of the named cultivars will not come true from seed.Growing hosta from seed may result in new cultivars
Once you have the seed then lightly cover the seed. Soil temperature for germination 70F Taking15-90 days to germinaate & 4-6 weeks tobe largeenough to set out.
Gardenweed, I just went out and took a look at my own - and was surprised to see flowering stems forming already :) It's been in the 20's every night for a week, cold for us and second time this season.
Seeds should ripen about the same time as rhododendron in your area, anywhere between Aug-Oct depending on how early it bloomed. I deadheaded, but not precisely, there are still a few very brown clusters of pods here and there. Most of those have opened or at least partially opened and contain few seed.
I suppose there is a chance weather played a part in the one you were watching and time from bloom to hard frost possibly wasn't long enough for ripe seed to form. Summer drought will sometimes delay seed set too.
Yes, my goal is two crops of cool season vegetables a year--spring and fall. I'm also trying to succession plant broccoli and peas to see how far I can stretch the season.
I've been working with this vegetable planting calendar from the Sonoma County Master Gardener's website: http://ucanr.org/sites/scmg/files/30787.pdf
There is also a good book titled "Golden Gate Gardening" by Pam Peirce which has several planting and seed starting calendars specific to the Bay Area.
I'm gathering as I get more experience, I'll continue to adjust my planting times, and maybe even abandon attempting certain vegetables at certain times of year. For instance, I tried planting peas and broccoli late (November) for a winter garden and I'm just not sure it's worth it since they seem to be sitting there doing almost nothing. It's one of the best things about starting from seed, in my opinion. You can play around with different planting times and varieties with minimal investment.
Not sure where you are in Northern California, but those two publications may give you a good place to start.
just a thought, but depending on your locality, especially in the eastern states, overpopulation of deer has led to states and municipalities adopting year long bow seasons. If this is private property you are having problems with there are probably hunters in your area who would be more than helpful. Also, some states allow the taking of deer from private land without a tag, something to keep in mind. I am not necessarily saying it is the best option but for most deer overpopulation it can be beneficial to both your tract of land, the plants and animals on it, and whatever crops you may be thinking of putting in.
If it is public land, please disregard most of what I just said. You may want to encourage hunting in the area come deer season.
I placed my Hazzard's order yesterday and got their year-end free shipping. I ordered 12/31 last year too. I don't know how long the free shipping lasts but it's worth waiting for if you know what seeds you want ahead of time and can hold off ordering. I ordered some salvia and an heirloom Romaine lettuce Cos Rouge de Hiver (which means something like cold red). The small seed pack has 5,000 seeds/$5.35 so I'm splitting the order with some friends. Also picked out a stunning California poppy called Thai Silk Appleblossom Bush.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for that suggestion for Geoseed and the link. I'll check them out too. I love your idea about doing a search for a trial. I never thought of that. I always like to hear what someone's experiences are with something.
Hi gardenweed, I did head over to Hazzard, I was trying to think of any seed that I might need that much of and there were very few. No one to split one with either, but who knows, next year may be a different story. I really do like that Thai Silk Appleblossom Poppy!
"My questions basically revolve around growing from seed. I've never done this. If you were just starting out; how would you begin? I would like to say "money is no object", but it is. I can afford good materials, but resources are not unlimited."
The most economical method is winter sowing. There is a GardenWeb forum specific to winter sowing where you can ask all the questions you like. They're a very friendly, helpful & supportive group of folks who grow from seed--annuals, perennials, herbs & veggies, including tomatoes & peppers, with phenomenal success. There's no cost for lights, there's no damping off disease and no hardening off required. It's all completely natural and according to Mother Nature's calendar.
As long as you're just beginning, you may as well get off to a fantastic start. I hope you'll at least consider there might be something other than "the way it's always been done." Since the cost is virtually ( ), I hope you're at least curious about it.
I have overseeded my lawn with white clover several years in a row to increase its presence. The easiest way I have found to do it is to have the yard core aerated with a plugger that pulls plugs of soil out of the yard and then hand broadcoast the seed. Clover seed is very small and you can spread it too thickly very easily. I have never had to add an innoculant to the white clover seed I have sowed and it germinates just fine.
I am trying Oasis root cubes this year. I like them because they keep my seeds really organized, they are not messy, and they hold around twice as many seedlings in half the space.
http://homeharvest.com/seedstartingrootingmedium.htm
I start mine on a radiator (not too hot) for the first night and then move them under the lights. Except Spinach which I sit by my coldest window because it needs colder temps to germinate. When they get higher than my shelf accommodates, it gets too crowded, or if it warms up enough outside, I move them to the greenhouse. I use a propane heater if it is too cold.
Been looking at something like the Oasis cube. see link
Here is a link that might be useful: Grodan