Seedling Update
Some of you might remember it was with great enthusiasm that I mixed soil and started seed, oh back in February. In my minds eye, I was going to have 8 inch tomato plants by this time.
So much for that plan.
Yes, please do strain your eyes to see the damn things. Oy! So, I found that they sprouted with ease and then as they were inside the house near a window in a mini-green house, they got leggy. Just not enough light. About mid-April, I carefully re-potted each tom and pepper into their own pots with yummy organic fertilizer. I was carting them outside on any day that had a glimmer of sunshine. I got sick of it. Despite my efforts, they remain stubbornly small.
Bah!
So I kicked them to the curb. Well, not literally, but they have been relegated outside. They are still in their protective mini-green houses and it does not appear that I've managed to kill them. Yet.
If I fail in my attempts to start tomatoes and peppers from seed this year, I'll buy plants and try again next year. It will still be far more cost effective to buy the plants and grow my own tomatoes rather than buy at a farmers market for saucing.
In other seedling news. Two weeks ago I haphazardly started seeds that the children had gotten free from a local nursery as well as some onion, pumpkin and heirloom squash I had and look. This is just from two weeks ago. They have been living outside in their mini-green house.
Crazy.
Well, it gives me hope that I'm not entirely inept at starting veggies from seed.
Cheers, Jenni
So much for that plan.
Yes, please do strain your eyes to see the damn things. Oy! So, I found that they sprouted with ease and then as they were inside the house near a window in a mini-green house, they got leggy. Just not enough light. About mid-April, I carefully re-potted each tom and pepper into their own pots with yummy organic fertilizer. I was carting them outside on any day that had a glimmer of sunshine. I got sick of it. Despite my efforts, they remain stubbornly small.
Bah!
So I kicked them to the curb. Well, not literally, but they have been relegated outside. They are still in their protective mini-green houses and it does not appear that I've managed to kill them. Yet.
If I fail in my attempts to start tomatoes and peppers from seed this year, I'll buy plants and try again next year. It will still be far more cost effective to buy the plants and grow my own tomatoes rather than buy at a farmers market for saucing.
In other seedling news. Two weeks ago I haphazardly started seeds that the children had gotten free from a local nursery as well as some onion, pumpkin and heirloom squash I had and look. This is just from two weeks ago. They have been living outside in their mini-green house.
Crazy.
Well, it gives me hope that I'm not entirely inept at starting veggies from seed.
Cheers, Jenni
Starting from seed isn't easy. Especially the ones that need warmth, like tomatoes and peppers. Don't get discouraged! There's a learning curve to it. Mine did well with bottom heat, and a grow-light. Light from a window just isn't enough.
ReplyDeleteAlison, yes, I need to create a station at the new house to start the toms and peppers next year. I knew it could be a crap shoot this year, still, I wanted a miracle ;)
DeleteTomatoes are hard. Also, a simple grow light bulb from the hardware store put into a lamp will help next time.
ReplyDeleteYes! I grow station is in my future :)
DeleteThe best luck with starting tomatoes I've had is using a grow light. Bottom heat helps too. I think we just don't get enough actual sunlight to really get them going. At least you've got some veggies going! My neighbors daughter came to our house the other day and handed me a mini green house with seriously about 100 tomato seedlings in it. I have no idea what I'll do with them all, but my friends won't need to buy any! :) I wish I could share some with you!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, I agree. We really don't get the sunlight necessary. I need to create a grow station at the new house and get a warming mat. I can keep my mini-green houses for the plants that will actually grown in them :) Good luck with all your seedlings..do I see a future for you selling plant starts are your local farmer's market? :)
DeleteI've never grown tomatoes from seed, but my sister does every year. I saw them last week, and they have thick, sturdy stems. She said that her secret is to put them outside during the day as often as possible. Being outside in the breeze (not a hard wind of course and not too cold) toughens them up. I think it slows their upward growth, and thickens the stems instead. (Kind of like cutting back mums a few times before letting them bloom) Hope this helps! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Alicia! I've been taking the top off the mini green houses on days that have been over 65 degrees. I haven't wanted them to bake and they do have quite sturdy stems, so I'm happy about that.
DeleteDon't know about your weather but ours has made life difficult this year. You're not inept at all!
ReplyDeleteIt has been difficult Sue. March and April were missing the sun. We had a few days of sunshine and those were quite pleasant, but clearly not enough for my poor toms.
DeleteI have had luck starting toms in April in my unheated greenhouse. They start when conditions are right and go like gangbusters. Starting them earlier doesn't seem to be of benefit. So far, they always surpass purchased plants even though the purchased plants look so big and robust. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteI have had luck starting toms in April in my unheated greenhouse. They start when conditions are right and go like gangbusters. Starting them earlier doesn't seem to be of benefit. So far, they always surpass purchased plants even though the purchased plants look so big and robust. Don't give up!
ReplyDeleteWVH, yea, I'm not going to be keen to start them early next year. Fingers x'd mine will catch up by end of May.
DeleteNot to worry Jenny! Just think of the fun you had back in February planting them. And this is why they sell the darn things in the nurseries...all ready to plant!
ReplyDeleteHi Diane, I did have fun in Feb :) I just need to improve my methods. sigh.
DeleteUpdate - checked those silly seedlings today after a good fertilizing yesterday and I see some growth! Weather looks good this weekend for sunshine. I might get them to grow after all!
ReplyDeleteRight there with ya. The seedlings that did well have not only been hardened off, but also planted. Nothin' dead yet, but the watermelons are looking bad. The sprouts that are just staying, well, sprouts? Yep, out on the porch in their seed tray, all by themselves.
ReplyDeleteI hedge my bets and seed some and buy some. I just started some tomatoes - quite late. Someone gave me the seeds so I wanted to try them. Glad they are doing better for you now. YOur other seedlings look great too.
ReplyDeletePaula (kent, wa)
The heirloom tomatoes I got from High Altitude Gardens are doing incredible! I am so excited. They look like store bought plants. My plethora of pepper? Stalled out after the first set of leaves. There they sit taunting me. Don't give up, because they might have a second coming. Especially if you put them in a corner and act like you forgot about them.
ReplyDeletePutting them in a corner it is :) I like that idea.
DeleteAlmost exactly the post I've planned for tomorrow! I don't know what's happened to my seed-sowing this year. Perhaps sowing too deep? It's frustrating to lose time, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYes, you're so right Linda. I had hoped to get ahead by starting early. Guess that didn't go to plan.
DeleteI've read some articles that say sowing too early might not necessarily support germination or growth. Suppose it depends on the conditions at the time; Hard to know. But they'll probably catch up with the others you sowed more recently (which look quite healthy).
ReplyDeleteI think you might be right Kelli. I wish I was more experienced in this department. I suppose that is the trial of a gardener on a learning curve.
DeleteI can relate...I had alot of seedlings peek out of the ground and not grow after that...its frustrating!
ReplyDelete