
Seed Curator Monica Williams with Sow True Seed reassured me that I can start the tomatoes and peppers on my own, although they need "good south-facing light," and it would really be better to have artificial light for the delicate plants. I hope not to disappoint Monica, but my husband was so sweet to buy the mini-greenhouse, so I'll try to make that work. She highly recommended the mat since I'm determined to start the plants from seed, so we'll try that.
Like the practical seed curator she is, Williams reminded me to look up my Plant Hardiness Zone on the USDA map. In our little patch of East Tennessee, we're in either 7a or 7b. As Sustainahillbilly points out at AppalachianFeet.com , some zones have recently changed according to the official map, and many gardeners suspect the realities of climate change are responsible for it. So, even if we knew our hardiness zone, it might be time to recheck it.
On the subject of location, North Carolina Extension Specialist Elizabeth Ayers reminds everyone to make sure vegetable gardens will have at least eight hours of direct sunlight each day. If we have only about six hours of sun, she says to stick with crops like leafy greens and root crops that don't have to produce fruit.
So, location indoors affects seed starting, and location outdoors affects the rest of the growing season. Knowing my zone and the garden spot's relationship to the sun should help ensure the best growing conditions.
Thanks to Sow True Seed for providing the seeds for our family's garden this spring.
So, location indoors affects seed starting, and location outdoors affects the rest of the growing season. Knowing my zone and the garden spot's relationship to the sun should help ensure the best growing conditions.
Thanks to Sow True Seed for providing the seeds for our family's garden this spring.
My first year gardening, I did the south facing window start... with some success. The next year I started my seedlings under artificial lights with great success! There was a definite difference in the health of the seedlings.
ReplyDeleteWe hung 2 - 48" T8 fluorescent ballasts by chain under a shelf/table top. And then placed 2 - 48" fluorescent bulbs (the day light or sun coloration) in each ballasts (~$8/2 bulbs). This is enough room for 2 large seed starting trays. The chained ballasts were found for ~$9-10 at the local chain home improvement store, and they already come with hooks and chain.
It is a ~$40 commitment for 2 trays worth of space, but that is a lot cheaper than grow light starter kits, it will last for years, and it did a fantastic job.
Something for your readers to consider. :)
Great advice. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to learning more about how your garden grows this year, too... at Piedmont Home Vegetable Garden!
ReplyDelete