Hard Lessons on Successful Seed Starting
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- There are two main reasons to start seeds indoors: to extend your growing season and for quality control. We've been starting seeds indoors for over a decade and have learned a lot through trial and error.
In this video, we're sharing some of the most important lessons on seed starting we've learned.
For more information, visit the blog post here: homesteadingfamily.com/how-to...
Check out the School of Traditional Skills Seed Starting Class (and challenge) with Rick Stone here: homesteadingfamily.com/podcas...
Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
1:42 - Chit chat
10:31 - Seed Starting Indoors
19:50 - Sterilize or Not
24:00 - Grow Lights
27:06 - Temperature
29:53 - Watering
32:00 - Using a Fan
32:50 - Hardening Off
34:40 - Cold Season Plants
36:26 - Seed Starting Challenge
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WELCOME! We're so glad you're here! We are Josh and Carolyn Thomas. Together with our eleven children, we are The Homesteading Family where we’re living a self-sustainable life in beautiful North Idaho. Let us welcome you and show you a bit about us here: bit.ly/HFWelcomeVideo
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Northern Wyoming here. I have all my seeds now and I will be starting the onions by Feb. 1!
I do not have ideal conditions, ie: no place to set up grow lights, heat mats, etc. I have been setting my pots in my windowsills for decades and I make it work. I know the "experts" say never do that, but you have to work with what you have. I do have a small greenhouse that I use for hardening off.
Here in Florida, we are under a wind chill advisory, AND, in 3 days, we are supposed to be in the 80's. According to our extension office, we should have already planted our corn, and melons. For those of us in the South, we need to work backwards over most of the country. Learning about ideal temps for the things we want to grow, is really our first step. Like, once it reaches X temps, tomatoes WILL NOT set fruit. Unless you have heat specific plants. Also, buying seeds closer to home! I have spent SO MUCH money on seeds that were grown up N, to have a full garden failure. Gary- at Tomato Fest has their seeds actually in groups where you can just pick your area and that knocks out a lot of new-gardener problems. For us, we need to look ahead for the heat, and pick veggies that will be done by X date, so that we are not wasting everything by watering plants that can only just sit and exist.
We just moved to North Florida a year ago from Maine! It’s definitely been a learning adventure! 😂 I did just order seeds from Hoss thinking they are probably closest to us. Praying this year is so much better!!
What's Tomato Fest?
Boy is that the truth..central here..its currently 52 in the sun. 47 in gardens with shade😢 I'm at the beach. Last 2 yrs I had tomatoes going over the holidays this year's it's weirdly cold
Here in South Africa in the Southwestern inland, we have desert conditions in midsummer(34-44°C daytime highs; 20-25 nighttime lows) with very low humidity.. None of my seed packet information works for me here, because I don't use a cooled greenhouse. All seedlings are leggy because I have to keep them indoors(it is much too hot close to a window), that is if they germinate at all. I had success germinating cucumbers, spaghetti squash, courgettes, tomatoes, peppers, swiss chard, beets, rocket and basil. No fruits grow at all. They drop off, but that is OK as the mature plants will produce immediately when the temperatures lower to less extreme. My concern is that I cannot germinate the summer lettuces, dill coriander, parsley, carrots or flowers to attract bees and other pollinators.
It begins to look like here we have a very early short summer season with a dormant spell until early autumn.
@louiseswart1315 ok, it sounds like you are to warm for cold weather crops.
All of those you spoke us is near impossible for me to grow.
I know the Lord.led me to Rick's CZcams channel last December. I was concerned about how much I was spending on nursery plants. At the same time, I had struggled in the past to keep my young seedlings alive. So I signed up for his whole seed starting workshop. Oh my! What an amazing class! He is a very good teacher. And he takes you step by step so you won't be overwhelmed with information. I did OKAY last year with my seedlings; I definitely didn't buy very many plants!! But I anticipate an even better year in 2024! I'm also experimenting with winter sowing. So if I end up with too many starts, I'm certain someone will take them!
I SO appreciate you both. I have learned a vast amount of very useful homesteading information from you over the years. I try to attend all of the free online webcasts that you produce and one day I pray I win a lifetime membership. You truly have provided us all with at least a lifetime of valuable resources and knowledge. Keep up the great work, you and your school/classes are true treasures! 🌻
I'm new. I like chit chat especially right now. I am working up to having my own home and I WILL have a greenhouse and design my yard/landscape with homesteading in mind.
Regarding fruit trees, I hope to learn how to manage their size so they don't become overwhelming for me. However, having free-range livestock (during controlled times, etc) (poultry, beef) can help manage the over abundance that falls. I want to have a fairly large pond and streams to circulate water and use for the property. Anyway... Big ideas and trying to prep for success expecting that I'll have trial and error to get there.
Dreaming big is good. I'm happy for you.
I love it that we are already talking seed starting. Appreciate the wisdom
Just wanted to say thanks for this chat, this was super helpful! So many youtube tutorials just stick seeds in some soil, water it, and tell you that's it. This addressed a lot of things I was unsure of, thank you!
This is an excellent video. I knew much of this in bits and pieces but you cinched it all together for us. Much of what you taught helped us realize some things we've been doing wrong. Thank you!
I did something different last year, that worked really well. I started my seeds inside as usual, but as soon as they germinated I put them outside every day it was above 40F. I set an alarm to bring them inside around 4pm. They grew really well and did not require hardening off when they went into the ground. It was an experiment, and I do not have a huge garden, so it was not a chore with hundreds of seedlings.
I do this too but stick with 50f. I leave them out all night too, as long as it stays above 50. Works great! I agree with you!
I have followed Rick Stone for the past year and I watched his Seed Starting class on STS. I have started some seeds already and they are doing much better than in the past. It is very worth the money to join STS just for his class alone, but there are so many other great classes to learn from as well. I highly recommend School of Traditional Skills!!
Grand Rising Family, hope all's well & thanks for sharing all great info with us! BE BLESSED! HALLELUJAH! PRAISE.......YAH!🙏💖🐢
I am in NE Ohio and am a lazy gardener, I have now started my tomatoes in trays with potting soil from the Amish store. Once they are up and it looks like they need a pot I take the healthiest one and pot them up, save for me and give away. I use a seed mat then move them to a rack with grow lights. This has been the best way for me for the last few years.
That love Crunch!!! So delicious. Praying for comfort and quick healing.
This is great info for the new growers. I have moved to all winter sowing and love it. It’s almost hands off.
For the most part, I have moved away from using pure seed starting mix as I find it too fine. It is primarily moss and therefore the water is tougher to regulate. For the most part, I use an organic potting soil for the larger seeds and for the finer seeds, I fill the pot 3/4 potting mix and 1/4 seed starting on the surface. Works great for me. And should you forget to water it is much easier to rehydrate the hydrophobic mix. Good chat.
I do the same and do not pot up.
My experience is that we are tricking the plant with artificial light, and then when I harden them off and then plant them if the natural outdoor light is not the same as the amount of light I had given them indoors, the seedlings growth stalls and it acts as if it has transplant shock. I have learned to set my lighting timer to the natural light cycle to assist transplants in getting off to a good start.
Love you guys
I like the idea of sterile seedling soil then hardening them off slowly if possible. Exposing the to the environment they will grow up in including both weather and the garden soil. Great video!
Good Morning y'all
Nw Indiana
Snow for a long time.
Here to learn
Second year gardener.
Thank you! Very timely and interesting.
Thank you for all the information
I'd love to see your routine with homeschooling on the homestead and your knowledge on it
Thanks for the idea of pouring the water out of the seed trays after and hour and the fan idea.
Great video.
Thank you.
We share this wherever we think it's valuable. PRO-MIX Premium Organic Garden Mix along with some added perlite/vermiculite has proven to the be the best seed starting mix available for retail purchase. Most years, we just don't have enough homegrown compost to make enough to start all of our seeds. This stuff fills the gaps, and if bought at the right time of year is very affordable.
It's been very cold here in Springfield Missouri, and I have been in the hospital. I just celebrated my birthday
Happy Birthday!!
In the chat - We have those areas of pile ups, doesn't everyone? I worked on one yesterday.
Our outside planting date is June 1 here in NE Vermont…
Set an alarm on your phone before you set your seeds outside to harden off so you don't forget about them. Also, never leave the house if you put your seedlings outside on a cloudy day. The sun can come out at any minute and fry them.
Yes, here in southern Florida we need to make sure you grow only what’s grows here in Florida.
In MN, I am trying to overwinter my peppers so I may actually get some this year. My seasons are so short I usually only get babies. You can overwinter tomatoes too, but they are very different processes.
I wish I could get tips and dos and don'ts seeding mistakes for desert conditions. I've been struggling with certain veg that are supposedly germinating in summer since October here in South Africa(equivalent to April to July northern hemisphere).
Thank you for the wonderful synopsis! You are such a fountain of knowledge. I am a bit worried about the predictions about cicadas this year. In the Midwest it is said it will be even worse. Any advice on preparation for this?
So maybe the next pantry chat should cover
*off grid* seed starting..
Because these are helpful but dont apply to many
With respect, I disagree entirely, regarding your seed starting suggestion. You’re making it way too hard for yourselves. I haven’t bothered with seed raising mix for years - there’s no nutrients in it. Get a good quality potting mix, sift it to a fine texture, leave the big chunks out. It has enough nutrients to see your seedlings flourish. Sow delicate seeds on top of this pre-wetted mix, and sprinkle vermiculite or perlite over, and mist, plus bottom watering in trays. Put trays on heat mat, keep well moist at all times, and as soon as leaves emerge, turn grow lights on. I have never ever ever sterilised anything - not my containers, soil, nothing. I’ve never had any issues and I start about a thousand seedlings a year, very successfully & grow abundantly.
I always use organic potting mix, not seed starting mix as well. Plenty of nutrients to start the seeds and then fertilize regularly
I decided this to try this same method because I had major problems last with seed starter mix so far so good!
@@cheyennegerih5937 good luck 🤞
I’ve been gardening for almost 8 years and have always used organic potting mix. Full of nutrients and it holds water so well!
What are you using to sift the chunks out?
I sprinkle cinnamon on top of my soil and that helps with mold etc
First thing I did when buying our 10 acres was that I got my orchard planted, and the perennial food plants. Mainly berries.
Hey y'all!!!! First...thank you for so much information and education!! Second...if you can...would you recommend any seed starting mixes specifically? NC, starting indoors, and YES those soils over the past couple of years have seriously had some issues! Thanks again for all you do!!❤
I am not sure of your husband's name but I was listening to you guys while I was putting a kerosene heater together and his voice reminds me of Pat Robertson's on the 700 Club. I was like, he sounds like someone but I couldn't place it and then it came to me, lol.
sounds very similar to repotting house plants when they outgrow their present pots. How many plants do y'all start per year? Just curious. I love starting seeds. We use pro-mix and add extra perlite and vermiculite. Love your channel and chats.
Never ever had success at seed starting. Help appreciated. Watering? Temperatures? Light? Help!!!
A few times have gotten small sprouts, but then they all died off.
Do you have any thoughts about using a "moisture meter " to assist when to water, new seedings . Purchased onr for my wife ro use on house plants,believe it has cutdown on the over watering problem.
Thanks for all your great videos.
If you soak seeds overnight before planting, little nicks in the seed coat can release starch and sugars to be lost in the soaking water, so it is gone before you plant. Less food base for the fungi and bacteria when you plant the next day. And, presoaked seeds don't have to imbibe water so they have a head start of a few hours. This is not too practical with little seeds like carrot, but works great for beets or anything larger.
Is that an Iowa hat Josh is wearing? Where can we find that? I love it!
This was all great information, but not really organized TBH. It's more of an intermediate to advanced discussion.
So, in my opinion, it was a bit all over the place... but I was able to keep up with it because I know what you mean. Granted, I've been watching and learning and dreaming since 2019. I'm always looking for either motivation, a refresher, or new ideas from new tidbits of information.
For instance, you were discussing food preservation before you even talked about seeds at all.
I was expecting the video to be about mistakes that were made regarding starting seeds. Maybe light in the mood maybe take away some of the anxiety that I have about choosing varieties and get a few laughs along the way. That's one way that I know works for me... remembering something is if I've heard a funny story about it! 😂
My suggestion would be to start with "Why" we are seed "starting" verses waiting for warm enough soil to put seeds directly in the ground.
Then move through how choosing seeds depends on the "What" you want to grow & whether you can do it "Where" you are. And how to know if all you're setting yourself up for failure or success.
You mentioned seed packets for instance, but for a beginner, that's all Greek. Listening to this discussion I would go right to the store and just buy whatever without knowing that stores frequently sell stuff that won't grow in that area.
I haven't shot a video about the topic of simply beginning to garden... but I've always known that when I do, it will be all about the "what, why, where, when & how!
Ultimately, I didn't finish the whole video. I stopped about 11 minutes short because I was just getting frustrated 🥴 I'm sorry!! I'm still a fan❤
So I think it was a nice chat but I'm not sure it was truly a lesson in things that can go wrong with starting seeds.
They mentioned in the video to click on the link in the description box for more detailed information on starting seeds. Even if you didn't stay long enough to hear that in the video, there is a message in the description box telling you to click on the link to learn more. When you click on the link, it takes you to their detailed post on HOW TO START SEEDS AND MISTAKES TO AVOID!
@@sassyherbgardener7154 sure, I do know that there were more details in the description box...but I clicked on a video to watch a video about what they titled the subject to be.
However, This was not a discussion about the things you don't want to miss when starting seeds. It was not a discussion on the hard lessons that she learned and could help us avoid. Nope. It was all over the place. That's all I'm saying. Usually she's really great at staying on point so this is somewhat of a rarity.
* If I wanted to read something I would have went to read something. Sometimes I play videos so that I can work and listen at the same time. I don't click on a video looking to read the description. 😂
This is interesting to me....I am experienced but still love hearing all the info.
My biggest question is what exactly do you use for fertilizer for those starts to keep them growing?
Do you not have an amazon shop? I thought to look there to see what you buy but I am not seeing a link for that.
Regarding the wild variety of trees that you spoke for being homesteaded there for many years..did you start these from seed from fruit or nut already established or did someone give you starts? I watched Ben &Meg Hollar’s channel and they got some of their fruit trees established by saving the seeds from neighbors and friends fruit trees. Of course takes much longer to maturity vs purchasing something already somewhat established 😊
I'm wanting to Graft a peach and a plum tree this year. I have native plums that I want to use as root stock with a scion from a plum tree I bought 2 years ago. Also I have a volunteer peach tree that sprouted in my garden and I want to Graft onto it from a cultivated peach tree that I have growing. Any experience or tips for a first time grafting experimenter?
Could I use comfrey tea to fertilize the seedings
Speaking of fertilizing for starts would a good compost tea do the trick?
Do you have Japanese Beetles up where you are? I wanted to plant fruit trees but the ones I do have were decimated by the pesky beetles so, I decided to wait, afraid to plant any. I tried soapy dish water, neem oil, beetle traps(which is controversial), short of spraying with insecticides I don't know what else to do to get rid of them. They were awful!
You mentioned liquid fertilizer… Growing as natural as possible, what liquid fertilizer would you use?
I'm zone 10b SoCal. I've been using Neptune Harvest.
You could make a compost tea
Compost tea was what I was thinking I just haven't used it a whole lot I do my own very nice compost I have rabbits and chickens so a wonderful nitrogen source plenty of access to dead leaves in the fall so I piled those up and keep them for a carbon supply along with other things like grass clippings hardwood sawdust I always end up with a very nice product just need to try to make tea with it a little more.
I use potting soil for starting my seeds just take out the big pieces. I start a lot of seeds, seed starting mix cost way to much
Is there a way to hear what exactly the challenge is if one is not able to become a member yet?
Could you plant out your early germinated tomato starts in the green stalk and thenplant out in the garden from there after the last frost date, and put new starts in the green stalk?
Probably, but the messing with the roots may hurt the plant
Lights….I discovered by accident that my seedlings bent towards the dark window overnight around the full moon cycle. Grow lights on all day, seedlings fine. Lights off approximately 2 hours after sunset with a bright moon is rising, by morning, before sunrise, seedlings are stuck leaning towards the window then return upright again when grow lights are switched on before dawn.
How do y'all feel about the growing zones changing, I am up in the air about it and sticking to what I know will grow for me. But wanted to know others thought on this.
Can you suggest where to buy good seed? Thank you ! God bless you and your family!
We like www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com and www.rareseeds.com
Is it okay to use the same soil for seed starting as you have used in the past? I plan to put boiling water over it before I plant.
Have you ever heard of soaking (tomato) seeds in chamomile tea for a better germination rate?
It's called the vegetative stage
Where do you buy your trees and seeds from? Nancy from Nebraska
We live in south central Nebraska. We get seeds from baker seeds in MO. Trees we just get from the local bomgaars.
It is 9 below zero this evening.
Who doesn't love chit chat
What is school of traditional skills?
I found it. Thanks!
www.schooloftraditionalskills.com
After 50 years of gardening here are generally the best rules. Mimic nature in your local area. Every year and place has a micro environment of soil, plants, animals, bugs, heat, rain and sunshine. Cultivate the best aspects for your end product. The bureaucrats and their cronies will try to destroy your best options.
What about onions
homesteadingfamily.com/growing-onions-from-seed/
What causes anger to grow? Too wet?
I think a contributing factor is resentment. Not always, of course, but resentment can really result in anger. Starting seeds and having a garden is like meditation for me. I find it joyful and it helps my all around perspective on life to be good! ❤
Sorry, been gone for a bit … who is getting married??
Their oldest son.
Stop saying sterilized it's a little to non nutrient based medium like coco or a peet. Yes the pots should be sterilized but the medium is fine. There is a chance of pests but in my thirty years experience that's it. The high nutrient based mediums are horrible for seed starting.
Caroline, your kids seem to have very clear skin. Any tips on teenage acne?
Growth spurt!
Where's the best place to get seedsm?m
We like www.strictlymedicinalseeds.com and www.rareseeds.com