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Just one of my boxes of seeds. These are a mix of seeds I have gathered myself from previous years and also some that I have ordered online or at the store. I try to use heirloom seed when I can. I can save the seeds from this years plants and won’t have to buy them next year. Also, there are no GMO’s and I like that!
These styrofoam cups are great for starting seeds. You can use them over and over again; if you handle them carefully they last for years..
I reuse the trays that grocery store meat comes on – they are especially handy. Those narrow trays work great for setting seedlings onto our windowsills in the living room, once the plants get moved upstairs.
Here’s a picture of my seedling room. I’ve got the heat on in the room and before long, I’ll be putting an oscillating fan in the room. The fan will help stir the air and also strengthen the stems of the seedings.
I have greenhouse covers on a few of the trays, but you don’t need them. If I use them, I like to spray the inside of the cover with water from a misting bottle. Put the lids back on and it has a greenhouse effect on the seedlings.
As always, the Inspirational Plaque is set behind the seedlings to threaten encourage them to grow.
I find that although I may start out with full trays of one kind of seedling, I do find myself moving cups from one flat to another later on. This just depends on things like extra room, light and other variables. So I label each cup so that I will always know what is what. In the end it can be tricky to know a broccoli from a cauliflower.
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Kathy says
Everyone has such great advice for starting seeds. I need lights to start indoors. They keep stretching. Maybe I can arrange that for next season. I purchased my tomato plants- all heirlooms, plus a few herbs. I’ve got seeds for some other plants and just as soon as this sever weather threat it behind us, I’ve got to get everything in the ground. Your are looking very good.
Annie says
Lights are a big help when starting seeds indoors, as it keeps them from getting leggy, looking for the light. The next best thing would probably be setting them in the windowsill during the day. I always have to strain to remember to take them out of the sill at night, as it is way too cold still at night here.
I too picked up a few tomato seedlings, I think there are four of them. We normally make a trip to the big farm to get many pounds of tomatoes for canning here. We still like to have plants here as there is nothing as wonderful as a vine ripened tomato from our greenhouse!
Heidi says
I started my seeds and they didn’t really do well….my cold crops never made even it into the garden. then I pulled a muscle in my back and was told that I can’t lift or pull anything—–there went rototilling…And….hooray…..vacuuming!! I will watch how your garden grows this year and maybe put a couple tomatoes in pots.
Annie says
Hi Heidi, nice to see you back blogging. Enjoy your summer of leisure and I hope your back is better before you know it!
Kari says
You always have such a successful garden, Annie, can’t wait to see what sprouts up in your garden this year! ~ Kari
Annie says
Hi Kari,
We have some changes in the garden this year. We are planting a smaller area and will concentrate on further building the soil in the other part. I’ve got a few rows of seeds in already, nothing is up yet though. It has been wonderful to be able to get in there and plant so much earlier this year!
Amanda says
Hi Annie,
You mentioned direct seeding, which means you’re just putting seeds in the dirt and watering them right? I hear how everyone starts seeds indoors, and I can’t do that with two curious cats in the house. I’m moving to a new place where I can have a very small outdoor garden though, so I’m going to try to put stuff directly in the ground. Hopefully it’s not too late to plant stuff here. I’m going to have to find a bunch of dirt and get some manure or something though, because the little area that I can use has nothing substantial in it.
I’d sure like to try growing something! There is a pre-existing rhubarb plant in the yard, but it looks choked out by scrub and small trees around it, so I will have to move that into the sun and try not to kill it.
Do you have any suggestions for someone who can barely keep houseplants alive? I’d like to try just a few easy to grow plants. Something that is very very difficult to kill.
Oh, what’s your favorite food to plant?
Annie says
Hi Amanda! I’m going to put up a post today fo you, all about starting seeds right in the garden.
katlupe says
Annie, I just posted a link from my blog to this post. Trying to encourage people to start their own seeds. I wish I could have the lights like you do, but they take too much power for our small system right now.
Annie says
Hi Kat, that’s awesome, thanks for posting a link. I wish I could comment over on your blog, I read it often. My friend here lives off grid and she manages to get quite a few seedlings started just in her window sills. Have to always remember to take them out of the sills at night though, as it still gets very cool at nightime here.
Have a great weekend!