Starting Seedlings

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I know, it’s early to start seed but I have a plan and just couldn’t resist. Inside of a walk-in closet I put up a grow light and suspended it about 12-14 inches above the seed starting spot. The lights are 48″ fluorescent shop lights that I used last year to start my seedlings. I even made a little light reflector out of cardboard and foil to help increase the amount of light in the seed starting closet.

I’ve been using a peat pellet system (Aff. Link) for seed starting. The peat pellets expand once you add water then you plant the seeds inside the moistened pellets. They did a good job last year so I thought I would continue with what works. They come in trays that will bottom water the peat pellets. Once the seedlings are grown to a sufficient size they can be easily transplanted into pots or into the garden.

Here’s my seed starting plan:

  • Start ornamental perennial seedlings early enough that they will produce this year.
  • Pot them up once the seedlings are of a sufficient size to do so.
  • Put the seedlings into the garage greenhouse to acclimate them to cooler temperatures (harden them off).
  • Keep them there until a safe frost date.
  • Plant them after a safe frost date.

Here’s a quick look at what is just started coming up in my seed starting closet!

Salvia officinalis (Sage)

I’ll be potting this savory herb in a pot for the windowsill. I may transplant them outside once the weather warms up but they should do fine inside.

Ocimum basilicum (Dark Purple Basil)

I’m not sure we know how to cook without basil! I’d love to have a good pesto pasta this week but I didn’t produce enough basil over the summer to store over the winter. I won’t make that mistake again. It’s about time to re-explore a formal herb garden! The purple just makes it look

Dianthus deltoides ‘Arctic Fire’

These seeds came from the American Horticultural Society’s Seed Exchange last year. As you can see the seed remained very viable for this year! I need to thin out the seedlings so that one strong plant can grow from each peat pellet. Maybe if I’m lucky I can retain the roots from the pulled seedlings and plant them in a small pot. If not I have plenty of seed to try again.

Lavender angustifolia
(True Lavender, Common Lavender, or English Lavender)

Here is a lavender seedling just emerging. This drought tolerant perennial is planted for its appearance and its fragrance. I started 12 seeds in the hopes that most of them will flourish. I haven’t had much success with it in the past but maybe that will change this year!

I started several other seeds but not all have germinated yet. I haven’t started any vegetables yet since I need to complete the vegetable garden remodel before I can plant in it. Hopefully I’ll manage to get that done this weekend in the 60 degree temperatures! Don’t you just love Tennessee winters? One day it’s 30 degrees F for a high then three days later its 60F!

12 thoughts on “Starting Seedlings”

  1. Bravo! It’s finally started. The garden’s began to grow once again! We don’t get peat pellets here, but I hear it’s easy and the plants don’t suffer transplant shock and only downsize being you cannot afford to dry it out.
    BTW, how long did the Lavender take to germinate? It’s been almost a 3 weeks since I sowed mine and no sign of germination. 🙁

  3. They look good. I guess I need to get moving on mine. I have been procrastinating. I too use shop lights. 2 per shelf on a metal stand. They work well but I must move the cuttings off from the shelf-where?

  5. Great info Dave. It will be a big help as I’ve never started seeds inside before. Now hopefully I will be able to do it.

  6. What a clever idea to make use of your closet, Dave! It’s still much too early here in Illinois to start seedlings, but seeing your starts is making me antsy.

  7. You can feel the movement all over the blogosphere — there’s a hum starting to settle over the entire community — pots being prepared, seeds being poured from envelopes. That eternal cycle of the seasons is coming full circle again — don’t you love it? I like your choices so far!

  8. I’m glad it isnt just me you is itching to get going. I have sown some seeds which need the cold to get them going but am holding fire on the others until it warms up a bit more

  10. Dave,

    I like the foil idea to add extra light. Where exactly did you place the cardboard with foil? On the closet walls or did you attach them to the sides (extensions) of the florescent ballast?

  11. Foil does help to reflect light, it’s a great idea. I have a lumen detector and have confirmed it when i just line the walls of the grow room that it ups the light considerably. If your just using normal fluorescent lights I would recommend putting them even closer to your plants. The further away the more spindly your plants will grow and every extra inch closer truly makes a HUGE difference in the amount of light that hits the plant.

  12. Chandra,

    The lavender came up within 5-7 days. Some kinds might take longer but three weeks might be a little long.

    Darla,

    Jumping away!

    Tina,

    Space, the final gardening frontier. Never enough is there?

    Rose,

    I’ve been antsy for a while. I finally just had to do something.

    Thanks Nancy!

    I’ve got many more to start so this is just phase one.

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