Starting Seeds Indoors (Warm Crops)

Time to plant all those tender crops if you are starting the seeds yourself!  Tender plants include tomatoes, peppers, basil, eggplant and other herbs like stevia, and lemon verbena.  I don't recommend starting any of the squash or melon crops indoors because they really do best sown outdoors.  If their roots become disturbed by transplanting they can have a difficult time coming back, possibly stunting growth and decreasing yield production or even die.  I start my seeds under lights.  This way the plants are stronger and don't get leggy and weak.  However, if you only have a sunny south facing window it is possible to start seeds indoors too!

I found this 4 tiered shelf at Costco for $30.  It works perfectly with the T-8 florescent lights/light fixture I bought from Lowe's ($25).  The lights come with chains that hook to the wire shelving as you can see in the picture below.   I love the shelf because I can fit up to 6 trays total and grow a lot of plants with the soil blocker method.

The soil blocker method is fantastic!  All you need are flat trays without holes (preferably with covers), soil, warm water and a soil blocker stamp.  Different types of soil blockers can be seen here http://www.allsun.com.au/Blockers.html 

To make soil blocks, first mix a lot of water in with your potting soil or peat moss with a little osmocote to the consistency of oatmeal. Block the soil (water should come out of the top of the blocker) and place in tray to release blocks.  Plant 2 or 3 seeds in each block and cover with soil according to package directions.  This can also be done in individual pots too!  I recommend using 2 inch pots or soil blocker stamps (less transplanting).

Cover your soil blocks or pots with either a plastic dome or plastic wrap and set in a sunny window seal or over a heat pad (a heater vent will do too)! 

 

Depending on how warm the seeds are, they should take anywhere from 1-2 weeks to germinate.  Once the first seeds begin to emerged remove the plastic cover and place under lights.  If there are other seeds that have not germinated yet, just be sure to keep them moist, they'll make their way up eventually!

Here are a few seeds I started a few weeks ago.  Tomatoes on the bottom, basil next to them and peppers last (which took the longest to germinate).  

These are my heirloom tomato plants I will be transplanting outside in walls o' water in about 2 weeks.  I use an oscillating fan to harden them off and strengthen their root systems. 

As you continue to grow your plants under lights, it is very important to remember a few tips.

- keep the lights 1-2 inches above the actual seedlings

- water the tray for the soil blocks to absorb moisture from the bottom up

-only water when the tops of the soil blocks/pots begin to dry out (too much water can cause fungus and disease problems)

-keep the lights on the plants 12-14 hours a day and a minimum of 8 hours of darkness. 

-fertilize plants every 2-3 weeks with a good organic product like fish emulsion.

-allow an oscilating fan to blow on the plants occasionally to strenghthen the root systems and harden off plants before putting them in the ground outside. 

- be sure to continue to harden off your plants by putting them outside an hour the first day as the time gets closer to transplanting outside.  Increase the time every day after by an hour for about a week before planting in the ground.   Happy Gardening!