6,340 Garden Web Discussions | Growing from Seed

My advice is take advantage of your great, frost-free weather and learn to germinate before spending the $$ on either. Unless you are really deep into the Outer Sunset foggy part of SF, I would use the coffee filter in a plastic baggie method (see link) for the heat lovers and germinate outside for most of the veggies that can take some fog (my preference is to use flats). All the root veggies, the leafy veggies and squash and beans and peas and brassicas will germinate w/o additional heat in SF, although it can be slower this way if the sun disappears for days.

I grew plenty of veggies outside in Bolinas, the Haight and Oakland using these methods. Your main obstacle is that the humidity can promote damping off and other diseases, so an occasional spray of dilute hydrogen peroxide or watering with weak chamomile tea is a good preventative.

It's not that heat mats aren't a good aid when the marine layer rolls in, they just aren't a necessity. APS always has seemed an unnecessary expense in coastal CA.

Here is a link that might be useful: faq: baggie method

Thanks! That's great to know you were able to germinate outside (I am thankfully in the Haight, not the Sunset).

For germinating outside, I'm assuming that putting them anywhere that doesn't get direct sun is okay? Did you just put the flats out there or did you use any kind of cold frame?

Would n you provide information on where to purchase jujube seed? How many trees can be planted in a 5 acres land? Thanks.

They are fairly upright trees and do not get that big. I could forsee spacing them 20x20.

I live in an apartment and don't have a yard or any outdoor space. I've been wanting to start an herb garden. Would it be possible to grow the plants in the aquarium first and then put them in individual pots and keep them inside?

Yes, if you have a sunny window.

Thanks morz8 for the reply. Much appreciated. Can you tell me more about this Cornell soil mix recipe? Do you know what it consists of?

The local garden centers in my area sell all the brand name potting mixes, and there are a ton of different types of mixes, so I just want to make sure I get the best one for growing pine, spruce and fir seedlings.

The first time I ever tried growing conifer seeds I used ordinary garden soil from my back yard and all the seedlings died from damping off, so I obviously want to avoid that.

Thanks

Dave

Dave, the mix is peat, pumice, fine grade perlite, a wetting agent, tweaked with a bit of dolomite lime specifically for my location - months of copious mildly acidic rain.

That garden soil that can grow beautiful plants somehow never works in containers, either for seeds or plants.

Basically all commercial potting/container mixes are soilless and many would serve your purpose. I'd avoid the store's own generic brand or cheapest variety on the shelf, anything made for a specific type of plant like tropical, cactus, and skip all under the Hyponex brand name.