Week 6

Yep, just three weeks ago, I was complaining about the cold. Week six will be our second consecutive week of warm temperatures. It feels to me like Punksatawny Phil got his early Spring prediction right. I expect to see buds starting to swell on plants in the garden soon. And as always, I feel behind on seed starting.

I struggle with starting seeds; most of the time, I dread it. Seed starting is an orchestrated rhythm of routine and rotation. Seeds require a lot of attention, watering twice a day. Regularly inspect to ensure they don't dry out, get too leggy, and have enough light. They take up space under dedicated lights. I am fortunate to have an extra bedroom I can devote to seed starting, but it doesn't make the process any easier. I have refined and acquired my tools and supplies through five years of starting seeds.

Jiffy seed trays are found at most box stores. They are thin plastic and last only a season. They are an inexpensive option for beginners but bad for the environment.

Metal seed trays are a great way to save the environment. However, they are expensive, so I started with a set of 27 cells in three trays. Once filled with soil and water, the heavy trays leaked from the corners and rusted; my seedlings were unhappy with the metal. 

Up-cycled toilet paper rolls, a social media trend gone wrong. The cardboard got soggy, molded, and busted into pieces.

Soil blocking is expensive to get started but space-saving and little to store. I started with the four blocks and a tray. I went through a lot of soil, and they dried quickly. But I wasn't ready to give up, so I purchased the 20-block. I can start a lot of seedlings in little space. The actual process makes me mad. I struggle to get the proper water-to-soil ratio; it's time-consuming, and the blocks drop out of the form when I move them to a tray. They still dry quickly, so I must water or spray twice daily. I hope it gets better with practice.

Finally, good old-fashioned 72 and 52-cell seed trays. Tried and true for a reason, these commercial-grade trays are durable, washable, and quick to fill. If I had a greenhouse, I would stick to this method only.

Saved 18 cell flats from bedding plants. These recycled and commercial-grade flats are the perfect solution for seedlings ready for planting when you're not.

I've refined my process, starting with soil blocking and bumping up to flats. This process allows me to germinate many seeds and grow them into healthy root-growing seedlings.

I put myself through this battle of seeds starting for 7-8 months out of the year because there is no comparison to planting your own flower seeds. It's much more affordable and allows you to grow rare and unusual flowers you can't find anywhere else. Although I feel behind and it feels like Spring is here, I must not let the warmth fool me. It's still winter, and there is plenty of time for a drop in the temperature.

Week 5 blooms:

• Ivory Feather
• Holly Berries

Week 5 recap:

• Started seeds
  • Dusty Miller
  • Silene
  • Violas
  • Breadseed Poppys

Week 6 plans:

• Dirt work

Happy Seed-Starting,

Lelo