My New Favorite Seed Starting Method!
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- čas přidán 7. 09. 2024
- In this video I'm going to show you my favorite new seed starting method for flowers or vegetables. It is the best way to set it and forget it. With this method my seeds came up so fast and some were ready for transplant in 11 days! I'll show you how the seed starting system works and how to prick out and pot up the seedlings.
MENTIONED PRODUCTS
Growease Seed Starter Kit: bit.ly/3JYGDU0
Black Gold Seed Starting Mix: amzn.to/40ztDvk
Vermiculite: amzn.to/3nCGIFz
ViparSpectra Grow Lights: amzn.to/40vXZid
Heat Mat: amzn.to/42YKwRJ
MENTIONED/RELATED VIDEO
Starting Flower Seeds for the Cottage Garden: • Sowing Flower Seeds fo...
OTHER PRODUCTS I USE AND LOVE: www.nextlevelg...
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Hey Guys, I’m Brian from Next Level Gardening
Welcome to our online community! A place to be educated, inspired and hopefully entertained at the same time! A place where you can learn to grow your own food and become a better organic gardener. At the same time, a place to grow the beauty around you and stretch that imagination (that sometimes lies dormant, deep inside) through gardening.
I’m so glad you’re here!
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I've seen so many systems. This one actually makes sense. Thanks for sharing with us.
Same here! And I forgot to mention... its super sturdy to last for years
@@NextLevelGardening I used these for a few years, but then the always wet wicking layer became moldy. There was no cleaning instruction or info on replacements. If you know something about these things please share. I had to toss them and they are now just normal pots. Thank you.
@@vickipate3196 I have also used these for several years. I washed my wicking layer after using. I also purchased some replacement wicking fabric from Gardeners Supply but haven't needed to use them yet. I have also washed the other parts of the system (except the dome) in my dishwasher. I was leery at first, but they came out fine.
@@marylawson2551 Thank you. I will look for those replacements again. They did not have them when I looked a few years ago. I washed the other arts with a light bleach mixture. I hate to use bleach! I never considered the dishwasher. Glad to know it works.
@@marylawson2551 the quality must be pretty good to be thrown in dishwasher
Good use for a pencil.
SUBSCRIBER TIP of the DAY:
I always save my chop stix when I eat at an Asian restaurant! They are very useful in the garden and for planting!
Would have loved to know about this ages ago, brat. That's cool. I'll have to try to remember for next year's starts now. 🤣
Hey... me too
Gardeners Supply has been our go to for the self watering kits and much more for years. They offer great service and great materials and all reasonably priced. I am a bit surprised that it took you so long and learning and enjoying this under self watering system!
I know!
I love this idea but I wish Gardener's Supply made them in small sizes. I start 6 (12 max) of one thing. 6 packs with domes that fit inside a larger tray would be great for those of us who have tiny yards and little space in our house. Seeds germinate at different rates and I need to be able to keep the different kinds separate.
I agree about the need for 6-pack size trays. I also only start a few of each plant. I would use this system if they offered it.
I know this reply is a year late, but I just wanted if your country has ice cream cup with dome covers, you can recycle and use them as the seedling cups! in my country, there's also this kind of this cup for gardening purpose, individual cup with its own dome.
A.great idea for watering
Yes!! I LOVE this system and bought some for my gardener daughter for Christmas. It saves your gardening butt from a moment of inattention on a hot day when all your baby seedlings would have died. I recommend using a fan too since the consistent moisture can lead to mold on the soil.
Yes!
I like this, because I am not a fan of just cutting off some of the plants, I would rather divide. Great video Brian!🤗❤️🤗
I too, divide up the seedlings. Not all make it, but most of them do.
Yes, yes, yes!! I have used the same seed starter. It was great
The best!
I use these and I love them. GS also sells a pair of tongs that allow you to lift out the whole cell. This makes transplanting soooooo easy.
Yes I need those!
I went right over there and ordered 3 of the 24 cell units. Thanks!! Awesome.
Nice!!
Really cool seed start tray. I like that concept
I have this tray and it does work well the roots are more healthy than sitting in a little water
I have been using these for about 8 years in Canada, we get the containers from Lea Valley Tools, who sell gardening supplies. Yes they work well as long as you don’t leave the sprouted seeds too long.
Looking forward to trying this in the future!
I have learned so much from you, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Happy Gardening!!!!!
My pleasure
Thanks for the swishing trick.. much better then chancing it when they are really rooted together❤
I really really like how you actually show what you are doing rather than just explaining alone. I learn more by watching the actual process of what you do and especially how you to it. I just found your website and CZcams channel and I'm really excited to get out there and start gardening but I gotta lotta lotta catching up to do! So many great videos!!! Thank you!!
I have been using these for two years and I love them. They work great
I’ve been using something very very similar here in the UK. You can get it from some garden centres. You can also get it online from Garland garden products. Very solid bits of kit. Bought Garland super 7 electric propagator years ago and still working well. This year I’m trying their smallest grow light offering(£72) it uses the same wicking system as Brian is demonstrating in 3 trays. I’m trying 3 x 12 cell trays with a heat mat. It’s working well so far. Most of the seeds came through in 5-10 days.
I like it! Don’t have the money for it, but I really like it. 😊
Thank you! I'm going to click your link and get a couple of these!
Mine arrived today, I'm excited to try them out! I live in the IE, it looks like we have a similar growing climate. :)
Thank you for showing us how to do that. I have been wondering and people talk about up potting, but don't demonstrate it.
I always have to smile when I see people really babying their wee plants. Remember folks, they WANT to grow! It's hard to hurt them unless you actively try to do so. You don't want to do horrible things to them but they can take a lot more than people seem to think. Glad to see you repot the same way I do. LOL
i have been using this setup for the past 3 years now. I found mine at the big orange box store. works great
Where do you find these at in the store?
This video is perfect timing for me. Some of my seedlings look like yours and now I know how to separate them. Thanks!
Love it!! Thanks for sharing it with us. Sending love and hugs to you, Emilie and Noah. ❤️🤗
Our pleasure! ❤️
That’s so cool! I think I can do a diy method with my trays, something for the base in the tray, and craft felt sheets. 😄
I’ve used these for 3 years. They are great.
They are!
Great video, Brian! Thanks for the wicking mat idea.
Really like those trays. Going to order some. Than you for showing us how to transplant. Blessings ❤️🌺
I love these! Bought 2 of them and they work wonderfully.
Dang, accidentally clicked on your notification, but I'll watch, I like your videos!!!! 😂😂
At a local nursery I was watching a staff member repotting sprouted plants and she used a stainless steel seafood fork to lift the plants. It works really well! I purchased some on Amazon. Thanks for sharing the seed starter kit. I run into the same challenges with staying on top of the watering too. I am going to purchase a couple of the kits!
I really like this system! I’ve always had a difficult time with over and under watering my starts!
Me too!
pretty cool. I've grown microgreens in a similar fashion but with paper towels instead of wicking mat and just sowed straight on the paper towels
Thank you Brian. 🌷💚🙃
You are so welcome
I have used these for several years and they really are fantastic, I’m a relatively new gardener so haven’t had the chance to have trouble with other starting methods but I did experiment with some herbs without this system and I got a taste of the annoyance of watering.
I can see how this would work in so many areas, TX being one. But my bigger problem is fungus gnats and what I just started doing this year is the double cup method but the key I found is covering it tight till the seedlings get big enough to not be affected by them. I uncovered my Korean peppers too soon and they’re gone. At least on a smaller scale this seems to be what I finally figured out. But on a large scale yours is a great idea, I’d most likely do that if I was
First view! Thanks. I planted this morning. Zone 5
I have been using bottom watering seed starting trays for years and they are so flimsy. I am very happy you have found sturdy ones. I will be ordering some. Thank you!
Thank you Brian! I hate watering my seed starts for the all the reasons you mentioned. Definitely going to order me those trays 😀
I like to use a pair of labels like giant tweezers to grab cells from trays. Works best if you have heavier duty labels.
Interesting to see how plants i /don't grow develop. My primary indoor start plants are tomatoes and peppers. I start both of these similar to what you show here, and take them out of their initial low-light/heat mat/humidity dome environment in 1-2 weeks res[ectove;u; at that stage they are very easy to separate. From there I put them into at least 2.5" containers with potting mix and mild grow lights, where they will stay for up to a month.
I once had a similar setup with wicking mats that I used for growing baby African Violets. After a couple of weeks my husband, who has allergies, started complaining of shortness of breath. Apparently tiny molds were growing on the mats.
good to know, mold triggers my asthma, thanks for sharing
Your seedlings look amazing! I've had so-so success at indoor seed starting this year but I'm learning a lot and making notes so next year will be even better. Thanks for another very informative video.
Plenty of time to start more seeds this year though. What zone are you in?
@@pristineperistome5696 I'm in 7b and my LFD is 4/15. Mainly, I started my nightshades too early and I haven't finished building my raised beds yet. So the tomatoes and tomatillos are a bit leggy but will be fine as I will plant them deep. Everything else will be direct sown this year. My goal for next year is stronger seedlings and better germination so I will be looking at a watering system like Brian has shown
@@debbiep7419 I see. Sounds like you had a fair bit of success this year (as I have) but we strive to perfect our methods.
Thank you, good to see your doing well...great information...God Bless you and all your loved ones sir.
Love this! Always looking for new ideas
Me too!
2 automatic watering trays on the way..
Thanks for the Tip.. it'll make starting WAAAY Easier
Yes! I'm using the grow ease kit for the first time this year and it's soooo nice. I started tomatoes for the first time last year and the seedlings had to to my mom's house for rehab🤦🏼♀️.
So far, my tomato seedlings are doing better than last year thanks to this kit, Garden Answer and your videos. Your videos are super helpful! AZ 7b.
Awesome!
I have one but I haven’t used it yet. 🌷💚🙃
This is the first year trying this method and it has been a lot easier!
I sort of made my own set by ordering supplies off of Amazon to save money and wow! I love it!
Thanks, Brian looks great. Are use chopsticks to get the seedlings out there a little longer and it’s easier for me to control them. 😊
It’s the farmer Leon method! Finally someone made a great product! I’ll def be looking into that!
I have been using the first iteration of Garden Way Seed starters for at least 30 years. Best thing since baked bread 😆
This looks like a great option for balcony gardens!
I love this hands-on and very useful video, I definitely will purchase a few of those self watering seedling trays as well. ❤
Thanks Cindy! You'll love them
Gardener's Supply had something similar to this back in the 80's that I used, but made from styrofoam.
I have these and love them
Thanks Brian!!! It's good for folks to see how to handle seedlings. Very good info! 🌻🌻🌻❤🌻🌻🌻
Loved all yours tips. Gives me the confidence to do this next step with my seedlings! Thank you!
I love all your videos! Looks like I have something else to add to my buy list. :)
Sorry 😉
Looking forward to trying --next year. Too late for this year. Looks to be a lot easier!!
Getting seedling watering right is such a challenge! I'm doing really well this year (no damping off so far & only 1 seedling (of several hundred) has died bc I accidentally let it dry out. But this success has meant checking the seedlings every few hours (when I'm home)! It's been a lot of diligence/effort/work.
My first seedlings just came up. What’s the secret to watering?
@@lovelearning7467 Congratulations! I wouldn't say there's a "watering secret" but you have to be mindful not to over- OR under-water them. Overwatering can lead to "damping off"/other fungal diseases, fungus gnats or root rot and underwatering can lead to a tender seedling shriveling up pretty quickly. I would say underwatering is preferable to overwatering though. My best tips (aside from paying attention to the seedlings each day) are 1) watering from the bottom if you can (in order to discourage fungus gnats from laying eggs in damp surface soil and 2) actually touch the soil to see if the seedlings need water. It's ok to let it dry a little but not so much that they wither. Hope that helps!
Great product! That's for sharing this info.
I'm surprised you just recently found these! I've been using this system for years! Mine are from Burpees...they have 36cell and 72cell options. You can even order a replacement wicking mat the original wears out.
Hi, Do you know about how long the mat lasts?
@@suzannevega2289 depends on how sterile your environment is. I've never had one "fail," just get overwhelmed by mold eventually. They always last through a season.
Thank you. Cool system.
I love my seed starter. I have a different brand but it’s the same process. I highly recommend these products.
I so appreciate all your videos which have helped me to literally take my gardening to the next level! THANK YOU! Unfortunately I've been consistently bottom watering my plants too much and this morning when transplanting from seed cell to larger pots I noticed mold growing down in the soil. 😮
When manually watering from below, how long do you recommend we leave the pots in the water? Thank you.
That self-watering tray makes a lot of sense for keeping the young seedlings consistently hydrated. I wonder if the company ships their products to Canada. I have bought a similar self-watering tray to keep the clay mud consistently moist for the mason bees. Your video is reassuring me that it will work as advertised.
You could rig up your own system, following the same principles. Raise off the floor of the tray, add some kind of wicking material over that. I am likely to do a DIY version for myself, have not seen these in Australia.
@@davinasquirrel7672 I wonder if the large absorbent pad, that is placed on bed of an incontinent person, might be a good wicking material. It's available in every drugstore. And the hardware cloth, which can be bent on two sides could be the platform for it. It can be cut with wire cutters to any shape or size to fit the water holding tray or a deep old baking pan.
These trays sounds wonderful! I have a problem with the watering in my basement with grow lights too.
They really are!
@@NextLevelGardening I did it. I ordered two of them. 😀
Been using those for years. Love those. My seedlings do so much better in those compared to any other container.
I wish they came in a 50 cell set up.
Hi Brian, I'm watching your video. I have a suggestion for you that might make it easier to transplant the seedlings. I use a chopstick or a crochet hook instead of a pencil. The tip is smaller, and you can pull the seedlings out easier.
Love your videos. Looking forward to the next one.
That's a great tip! Thanks!
Brilliant idea. 👍🌞
So informative video sir
I've used those for 3 years now , they work great . The small cow pots fit right in them also . Use the cow pots . You won't have to do what he's doing. To much time .
these are very commonly found at Walmart, home depot, and lowes. depending on the cell size anywhere from 10.00-19.99. not necessarily the same brand but the exact same concept.
Where do you find them at home Depot? ,I have gift card I need to use
@@randyman8984 they sell them here (I'm in Houston) under the burpee brand. They've got a 36 cell and 72 cell.
With the wi king fabric?
I move my seedlings from the seed starter to what I call an intermediate container (4 inch pots) and wait for the seedlings to grow taller for final planting.
Ok - so you're sure you're not a surgeon? Love it - great how-to. Thank you!
I use some like these and they are awesome!!
I use a fork to get my plants out of the little pods. Works great!
Dude I got one of those and I couldn't figure out if it would work or not so I didn't use it but... I saved the wick mat and the other plastic insert so maybe ill give it a try with it looks like they work well as long as the soil has contact with the matt
Thanks! Good to know breaking a root is not critical. I always worried about that. I sometimes use a wooden shishabob stick to help dig seedlings up.
I've learned so much from watching your videos and have a copy of your book. Hope you have a chance to answer my question -- I live in New Mexico and this is the first year I'm growing my garden in planter beds. How can I protect my plants from monsoons? I'm concerned the beds will get soaked. I did make one wicking bed with a drainage hole but still concerned about heavy rain and wind. Thanks!
That’s an interesting system, thanks for sharing! The mess of watering is what keeps me from having a larger setup..just having a couple of trays can be an ordeal.
My solution this year was winter sowing, in jugs set outside. Brian have you ever experimented with winter sowing? Very very little maintenance and I got some good results. Celery did great..I didn’t have to fight them inside during their long germination and seedling stage. I got a solid head start on snap peas and lettuces too. It was good to set em and forget em..and saved me from cluttering up my sprouting trays early..
What I use are those plastic seed starting trays, seed starting soil and I place them under a heating vent
Great video! Learned about the 2 v. 4 leafs on seedlings being different and the water dunking trick to separate tangled roots is super helpful! Subscribed!
Welcome!
Can you just plant the flowers all together like they are in the cell? Or should we thin 1 flower plant per cell?
They won't thrive tgat way
Your videos are so informative and I love the way you explain why you’re doing what you
Just yesterday I finished my seed starting in the tray with water method and then I saw this today! I’m still going to buy one. I was wondering if you could use a spoon to scoop them out. It may be easier to separate them as well being on a surface without having to hang into them by the leaves.
thank you! I've never tried with a spoon
These can only use when seed starting i guess or keeping stricly at home. Couldn't give the pods away. If selling some. I just bought a boot strap farmer 10x20 nesting trays. One with holes, one without for bottom watering. Event you learn how much water to put in there.
My problem is that I seem to always over water or underwater, and I kill all but the most hardiest of plants. I just ordered, so we will see how it works out. As usual, thanks for the lead.
i will make one comment about your transplanting. i feel you and others have made. do it in a container or a tray so that you can take the overflow of soil/potting mix. and not lose it or have extra things you dont know.
again i feel you have said this before. it may be easier to show it outside of a tray for filming reasons.
I love starting my own plants from seed. I may need to invest in this system. Would you mind sharing where you get seed for your flowering plants-both annuals and perennials?
Hello, do these trays feel durable to reuse? Are these something that I could use for a couple of years?
yup
For last two years I’ve been starting my tomato seedlings in the the red cups with great success. This year I used Miracle Grow Organic Choice Raised Bed Soil from Costco. My seedlings have not grown taller than 2 inches with very few, small leaves. It has been 6 weeks. Now some are falling over. Never had this issue before. Could it be the soil?
Question:
When you transplant them into the bigger six packs can you still sit them on the wicking tray?
This looks like a great system. Could you let the seedlings get much bigger before potting up?
Yes you can. He does his so small because he puts multiple in each cell and removes earlier so the roots aren't all tangled with so many seedlings. If you wish to let grow much longer use less seeds. My opinion.
@@GardenKatt that makes sense, thank you!
What was the black stuff on the bottom of the wicking mat? I love your videos.
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Have you or anyone skipped the transplant to 6 packs step? meaning if you had one seed per cell, you could go from start to transplant directly to the garden? Seems like this should be doable.
Yes I do that too