Seed Starting Update – February 2025

February means I am well into seed starting for the year! It’s exciting to see those newly planted seeds turn into sprouts and begin growing. Every year I try to plant a large variety of vegetable garden plants including the must have tomato and peppers plants. I also enjoy getting a lot of ornamental seeds growing too. Below you can see a video of where I’m at with my seed starting, take a look at some of the process of starting seeds, and check out the seed starting setup I use.

Important Points Covered in the Video

  • Plastic Cups for Seed Starting (mini-greenhouses)
  • Grow Lights – I just use simple fluorescent shop lights. I’m switching to LED bulbs as they go out. (48″ ballast)
  • Heat Mats
  • When to Start Tomato and Pepper plants
  • Frost Date – For Us around April 15th
  • Seed Starting Setup

Vivosun Heat Mats

In the video I showed these seed starting heat mats from Vivosun. The mats are flexible and can slide onto a 4ft long shelf that is about 20 inches deep. They have other sizes are available that may fit your shelves if you are using different sizes than I am.

The link includes a bundle kit that has a thermostat for adjusting the heat mat temperature. You can buy those separately or not at all if you choose. Link: Vivosun Heat Mat (aff) If you just want the thermostat here is the one I bought: Vivosun Thermostat (aff.).

Coir Pots: The Pros and The Cons

When transplanting plants it helps to have a great container that allows the seedlings to flourish. I’ve found over the years that coir pots are a great option. I used to use them as part of my farmer’s market plant sale business. Today I use…

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Seed Starting Update – February 2025

February means I am well into seed starting for the year! It’s exciting to see those newly planted seeds turn into sprouts and begin growing. Every year I try to plant a large variety of vegetable garden plants including the must have tomato and peppers…

Read More

Starting Oregon Sugar Pod II Peas from Seed

It’s the seed starting time of the year! This is probably where I have the most fun gardening. I get to imagine the possibilities! This week I started Oregon Sugar Pod II peas by presoaking. It only took a few days after planting until I…

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Self Sowing Coleus in the Garden

I love surprises in the garden.  Plants that pop up where you least expect them – unfortunately those are usually called “WEEDS.”  Sometimes though we find plants of value that pop up.  Here are a few pictures of some self-sown coleus plants that came up…

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How to Grow Southern Magnolias from Seed

The other day while on a shopping trip I sat in the car with my daughters while my wife ran into the store for a few things. In front of our parking space was a magnolia. I doubt it was the full sized magnolia (Magnolia…

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