It’s almost time for me to start my very first seedlings of the season. I’ve been busy gathering supplies, cleaning out my grow room, and sanitizing trays that I plan to re-use. I’ve been organizing my seed packets, and I’m thoroughly excited to try a few new varieties this year. I’m also shifting my…
seed starting
Seed Starting on a Budget Series: The Importance of Biding Your Time
My first serious foray into indoor seed starting began with a bang. My husband helped me set up a makeshift grow shelf, and I purchased soil mixes, trays, and pots. I was so ready to get started that I assumed it would be better to get things going sooner rather than later. I quickly…
Cheap and Economical Humidity Dome Alternatives
If you grow your plants from seeds then you probably know what a humidity dome is. (If not, don’t worry, we’ll go over it briefly below.) Just like with all of your other gardening supplies, you can buy humidity domes from a variety of different sources. However, you can also DIY them. Here are some…
When Should I Transplant Sunflower Seedlings?
In the world of gardening, sunflowers stand tall as symbols of happiness and resilience, drawing both seasoned gardeners and beginners to their sun-seeking blooms. With the growing trend towards sustainable living and the joy of home gardening, understanding the nuances of growing sunflowers, particularly when to transplant sunflower seedlings, has never been more relevant. This…
Do Pre-Packaged Seeds Grow Faster Than Fresh Seeds?
It’s that time of year when the seed catalogs start arriving in the mailbox. Getting new packets of seeds from a seed supplier is a real treat. Knowing that those carefully harvested seeds will eventually grow into food or flowers is so exciting. It’s just as satisfying to sort through personally harvested seeds from…
Troubleshoot the Seed Starting Process
While every other region seems to be experiencing a thaw, it’s still mostly frozen here. My starts are happily enjoying their spots under the indoor lights and this weekend I’ll be starting another batch of plants like kale and Chinese broccoli. I happened upon a sale and purchased two additional plastic shelving units to hang…
What Are the Different Ways to Germinate Citrus Seeds?
I always have lemons in my fridge. The bright acidic quality of lemon juice adds a fantastic oomph to food that you just can’t get with other kinds of acids. Lemon also pairs well with pasta, chicken, and roasted veggies. I also often have limes on hand because they’re perfect for brightening up Mexican and Thai…
Seed Starting with Recycled Materials
There’s no need to use fancy equipment to start seeds. You have plenty of perfectly suitable materials lying around the house—probably about to end up in the trash or recycling bin. Seed starting with recycled materials is easy! Don’t spend a ton of money on trays and flats. Save your hard-earned money and reduce, reuse,…
Victory Garden Planning during a Pandemic
We’re in the thick of it now. Areas are going into lockdown, and non-essential businesses are closing until further notice. It feels weird. It’s scary. I’m exhausted. But I feel motivated, now more than ever, to keep up my gardening efforts. I’ve seen interest in gardening skyrocket. Is this the return of the victory garden?…
Soil Block Success!!!
Whenever I experiment with something new during the seed starting season, I feel incredibly anxious. What if it goes wrong? What if I end up with unhealthy starts? Believe me. I’ve made my fair share of mistakes that have resulted in disaster. I tried using jiffy pellets one year, and my seedlings were stunted. Another…