I'm getting a little sick of pulling weeds and looking at a dead vegetable garden. The weather has been so warm this winter that I feel like it is time to start throwing seeds into the ground. (Plus there is no snow, which means I can't ski, which means more time in the garden) I am going to go against my instinct, and throw seeds somewhere else.
I bought this seeds starter at Home Depot. Any local hardware or garden store should have these. They are great because you can moisten only as many dirt packs as you are ready to use.
I bought this seeds starter at Home Depot. Any local hardware or garden store should have these. They are great because you can moisten only as many dirt packs as you are ready to use.
Remove the disks of dirt that you are not using right away and pour water on the ones you want to plant in. Wait for them to soak up the water for about a half an hour. While you are waiting I would recommend choosing and labeling which seeds you are planting. I just used masking tape for this. Add a bit more water as needed until the dirt is completely saturated. The dirt pods will expand quite a bit. I usually plant 2-3 seeds in each dirt patch to ensure that SOMETHING will grow. Today I planted tomatoes, lettuce, snap beans, and spinach.
I keep the tray on the window sill in the basement. You basically want the seeds in a location that is slightly warmer than outside and gets some sunlight. This could be a basement, garage, or indoor window sill.
I keep the tray on the window sill in the basement. You basically want the seeds in a location that is slightly warmer than outside and gets some sunlight. This could be a basement, garage, or indoor window sill.
Starting seedlings inside allows the seeds to get a few weeks head start. Then when the soil and weather warm up, the plants are already a bit strong and stand a better chance out in the elements. At this point in the year we may still have freezing temperatures at night and your poor little plants will be goners.
I like these dirt pods because they have a thin cheesecloth-like layer around the outside. This allows the roots to grow out, but the dirt to stay in, which makes for easy transplantation later in the season.
If you don't want to buy the dirt packs I have a few other ideas for you. In past years I have saved old containers that plants have come in, then started my seeds there. This is green and free! If you do this I would recommend really packing down the potting soil. When you transplant the seedlings into the ground you want the dirt to stay intact so it doesn't rip out the roots.
I like these dirt pods because they have a thin cheesecloth-like layer around the outside. This allows the roots to grow out, but the dirt to stay in, which makes for easy transplantation later in the season.
If you don't want to buy the dirt packs I have a few other ideas for you. In past years I have saved old containers that plants have come in, then started my seeds there. This is green and free! If you do this I would recommend really packing down the potting soil. When you transplant the seedlings into the ground you want the dirt to stay intact so it doesn't rip out the roots.
Last year I was feeling more hippie than usual, and on a mission to be green. If this is your ideology, you will love this! I saved all our old toilet paper rolls and started my seeds in there. I used a tray to support the dirt, rubber banded several rolls together, filled them with potting soil and pushed in my seed.
Toilet paper rolls definitely offer some advantages. Not only are you reusing your trash for good purposes, but the whole roll can be put in the ground when transplanting. This greatly reduces the risk of disrupting the tiny roots and killing the plant. The toilet paper roll eventually disintegrates and the plants grows! The only disadvantage is that they are made of paper. So in a few cases the paper rolls began to mold and disintegrate before I have transplanted the seedlings. They held so much of the water that some of the seeds rotted instead of growing. Whatever container you choose, it feels good to get planting!
Toilet paper rolls definitely offer some advantages. Not only are you reusing your trash for good purposes, but the whole roll can be put in the ground when transplanting. This greatly reduces the risk of disrupting the tiny roots and killing the plant. The toilet paper roll eventually disintegrates and the plants grows! The only disadvantage is that they are made of paper. So in a few cases the paper rolls began to mold and disintegrate before I have transplanted the seedlings. They held so much of the water that some of the seeds rotted instead of growing. Whatever container you choose, it feels good to get planting!
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