The seed starting itch 😳

[Tetters]

That is an amazing show. There is no way we could get away with sowing these seeds so early. That's what you get with so much more sunlight than us. It's pretty dark here for the majority of the time, We do better to wait another month or two.

 

[Anniekay]

That is an amazing show. There is no way we could get away with sowing these seeds so early. That's what you get with so much more sunlight than us. It's pretty dark here for the majority of the time, We do better to wait another month or two.

I should've waited another 4weeks but... "the itch" to see seeds germinating got to me !!
Even with more sunlight here I still need my growlights on all of them.

 

[Tetters]

It's cold and stormy here most of the time with no let up - just a hint of watery sun that teases for five minutes, and then disappears again under a blanket of cloud.

 

[Logan]

My snapdragon seeds have come up, they're called cherry twist.this what they will look like.

 

[Anniekay]

My snapdragon seeds have come up, they're called cherry twist.this what they will look like.
View attachment 2822

Those are absolutely gorgeous !! I can't wait to see them flowering in your garden !!

Sadly, I can't grow those well here. I try, but they hate the heat here.

 

[Jersey Devil]

What should I specifically use to start my seeds?

 

[Tetters]

What should I specifically use to start my seeds?

I have usually used a peat based compost, in half seed trays, but almost any fine compost will do the job, or of course there's the ''baggie'' method as @roadrunner suggested.

 

[olly-buckle]

I use commercial compost because I don't get weed seeds in it, but my brother in law who worked in a nursery for a bit said they used to use an insulated box with a steam wallpaper stripper connected to it to sterilise compost. Got a steam stripper, it worked on a grease blocked drain, think I might try it.

 

[Jersey Devil]

What is the stuff the nursery uses. Its very light and sticks together in a nice clump when you take the plant out of the tray. And usually very moist. Every year I try something new but when I go to transplant it it usually crumbles. So seed starting soil is probably a ripoff?

 

[Jersey Devil]

peat based compost

Of course. Thank You Tetters

 

[Logan]

You don't need seed starting compost, all it needs is sifting to get all of the big lumps out. The garden centres are still aloud to use peat based compost, while we can't.

 

[Anniekay]

What is the stuff the nursery uses. Its very light and sticks together in a nice clump when you take the plant out of the tray. And usually very moist. Every year I try something new but when I go to transplant it it usually crumbles. So seed starting soil is probably a ripoff?

If the soil falls away from the roots you are transplanting too soon and/or your root system isn't growing as fast as it should. You could add some
Mychrorrhizal fungi to your pot to stimulate root growth or, just wait longer to transplant them.

 

[Tetters]

You don't need seed starting compost, all it needs is sifting to get all of the big lumps out. The garden centres are still aloud to use peat based compost, while we can't.

I managed to source a few hundred litres from Ireland

 

[Sheal]

You don't need seed starting compost, all it needs is sifting to get all of the big lumps out. The garden centres are still aloud to use peat based compost, while we can't.

There's no ban here in Scotland @Logan.

 

[Logan]

There's no ban here in Scotland @Logan.

We can't get it at the local GC.

 

[Euphorbia king]

I've got it baaaaad !!

I couldn't help myself !! I got out my perlite, dumped it in my soil mixing waste basket, mixed in miracle grow potting soil and seed starting mix ( about equal values) and filled my pots !!

But, I just couldn't stop there. I got out alllll my seed packets and, I told myself: " I'll just start my Moneymaker and my Longkeeper tomatoes, maybe some Cubanelle peppers. Who was I kidding !!

In went the cherry tomatoes, some Thai basil, and then I said " Stop !! "
Did I listen? You be the judge !!
View attachment 1955
Every single pot is planted. I have two kinds of Salvia, Globe thistle, Dianthis, Toothache plant, summer and winter squash, and some others I don't recall ATM !!

It's a good thing I live in the deep South. I have my last frost usually the last week of February.

Our last frost will be end of April

 

[Anniekay]

Our last frost will be end of April

You can start end of February and that's not far away !! I'll bet you'll be growing some lovely things !!

 

[Sheal]

We can't get it at the local GC.

Not in England @Logan. But we can buy what you used to be supplied with because it's not going to be banned here. Irish supplies are still being imported to Scotland. I've not seen Scottish peat for sale or suppliers of it.

 

[Anniekay]

After I got my second wind this evening, I started a dozen of these Zinnias,which are called "Fresh Mix".

Then just half a dozen of these Zinnias, (all I purchased from Eden Bros.) called Purple Dream Mix.

The rest I plan on planting in ground, hither and yon, throughout the sunny garden.

 

[Logan]

They look nice and colourful @Anniekay