Great info! Thanks @Gardener Scott! 0:36 When do I start my seeds? 3:00 Why you should look to see how old the seeds are 3:34 How to calculate the viability of seeds through a germination test 4:20 Where do I start my seeds? 4:30 Why your seed starting area should be clean 4:50 Why you should only work with clean pots (& how to sanitize) 6:00 Be as organized as possible (and how the “Mise en place” method can help) 6:58 Use a designated seed starter mix to start your seeds 7:10 Make sure the mix is moist before you put seeds into it (and why) 7:51 How to determine the right moisture level of your seed starting mix 8:16 Label and mark everything that you grow (& Scott’s system for labeling 72-cell packs) 9:46 How temperature and humidity affect your success at seed starting 10:42 When to use heat mats for starting seeds 11:46 Air humidity and how to help soil stay evenly moist 12:24 When to cover your seedlings with a plastic dome lid (and what you can use if you don’t have a regular lid) 13:36 Why you should leave one cell empty when you fill your trays with soil mix (this tip is brilliant) 14:46 How much light your seedlings need
I’m not one to comment on TH-cam videos but must say how much I value and appreciate all your videos, especially as someone who kind of fell into gardening a year ago once the pandemic / quarantine hit. I’ve learned a lot from you and, I’m certain, will continue to do so. Thank you very much!
Great tips, and I have one to add. If you buy seed starting mix, its possible it has fungus gnats or their eggs in it. I had this problem this year when I started my onions. Before I started more seeds I went to the Dollar Tree and got a 12 cup microwave safe container with a lid. I put the mix in, put the lid on, and microwaved it for 4 minutes. No more gnat problem. Some people recommend adding boiling water. But I find the microwave is safer. Now I have the container and I will keep it and do this in the future.
@@GirlMomma Congrats on starting gardening. The gnats for the most part are a nuisance, but they can harm seedling roots if they get out of hand. Last year I just used left over potting soil from the year before and didnt have them. This year I splurged got Burpee seed starting mix and it was full of them. The microwave made it easy to get rid of them without the danger of spilling boiling water when adding it to a mix.
@@j.b.6855 thank you kindly! I'm so excited now that I found you and have some inside tips! I had no idea that gardening entails so much work. I suppose I naively thought that you just throw the seeds in and water them.
@@GirlMomma Gardening can have work involved. You can also make it easy, it all depends on how you setup your garden. My first year I started small with the goal of learning. I hope you make learning one of your goals. Gardener Scott has a lot of good information. Other good channels with information are The Rusted Garden, MiGardener, and Scott Head (Black Gumbo). One piece of advice I can give is there will be ups and downs like most things in life. Concentrate more on whats working than what isnt and expand on what works for you.
@@j.b.6855 hello friend, thank you so much for taking the time to explain that to me. I most definitely will have my goal be to learn this year. There is so much information that I feel totally confused, so I think that will help me tremendously by defining my goal and not overwhelm myself anymore, I like that idea! 🤗👍
Putting everything on a calendar is a great idea. I am new to seed starting and having everything planned out on a calendar makes it less overwhelming.
I've been gardening in the Southwest for over 20 years. I love that you mention both regional and worldwide strategies! After 2020's effect on the hobby, I decided to sell my spare seedlings this year, so the best south-facing window in the house is already crowded with trays of teensy seedlings.
Thank you. I'm honored that you mentioned my tip on the empty cell. I have another tip on labeling that works best for me. I'm not as organized as you are so I would lose the piece of paper probably before the seeds have even germinated and the tags get in the way of the lights and sometimes the names rub off the tags. I use the plastic tape that looks like electrician's tape that comes in different colors. I can write the name with a sharpie on a piece of tape and stick it to the side of the six pack. I usually separate the cells into their individual six packs so I can move them around if I need to. Before I started doing this I mixed things up all of the time, especially Brassicas which all look alike. I can take each little six pack out to the garden at planting time or to pot up and not lose track of what's in each one.
You make excellent, excellent, informative videos. I’ve watched other videos that were made by loud mouth bullshitters. They give misinformation under the guise of being an expert. I do increase the speed of some of your videos, however, on subjects that I am somewhat familiar with, and watch at normal speed on new topics. You have made videos that are great for ALL levels of experience!! Thank you, Gardener Scott.❤️. I really appreciate your wisdom, and education, I like to learn something or several things everyday! It keeps my life interesting.😊
Thanks Gardner Scott for the helpful tips. The germination test video was very helpful. I discovered the reason why some of my fall garden plants failed were due to low germination rates in some of my seed packets. And the use for the heat pad for specific plants was a game changer for me and the watering from the bottom tip as well
Get a shelf or area that is deep enough to fit both your ceiling tray, your light, and terra-cotta pots surrounding the tray. Usually if I crank the full spectrum light to 75 to 100% power, warm weather plants will sprout. As soon as they sprout I turn the light down 225 to 50% so the ceilings don’t get burned. Light is kept less than 6 inches above the surface. Also if you set aside a bit of cocoa core or something similar you can put your seed in the soil, and then dabble a tiny bit of cocoa core on top of the ceiling and it makes it that much easier for it to pop up. I love watching the stuff come up it is such a cheer. Thank you Gardner Scott.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us...there’s so much I don’t know! I am afraid that last year might be a fluke, (first garden) and at least I realize that I don’t have much knowledge...I learned some lessons with my tomatoes last year. I do have common sense on my side though! Again thank you 😊 KEEP CALM AND GARDEN ON ♥️🙏👍🇺🇸🐓😎
I love the idea of leaving one cell open to facilitate watering. Thanks for sharing. I have germination tests ongoing that will be through in time for me to start my seeds here in zone 8 very soon.
I discovered you just about a week ago and watch a few of your videos each day! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I'll be starting my seeds soon - it's driving me crazy that it's still a little too early!
Great TH-cam channel! Would like to see a video on yields from plants. Backyard gardener here. Would like to know how much I really have to plant to make it worthwhile for canning and freezing.
Thank you for your video. This is my favorite video of yours. I’m a beginner at seed starting and I really appreciate your thoughtful and straightforward tips. After watching your video I know I can be successful at starting my own seedlings this year! Thank you so much Gardener Scott!
Great video Scott sanitation is very important during the seedling stage, I have started microwaving my soil if Im reusing it or using old garden soil to make sure its sterilized, its easy to put a few small pots in & after a minute the soil is clean of harmful pathogens/microbes.
Another note/tip; use a water conditioner for aquarium water use, to treat the water you are using for the seeds/seedlings! I live in a city that heavily chlorinates the water. I have tested the water & found its level of chlorine to be higher than I keep it in my swimming pool, which can kill seeds/seedlings.
I saved a bunch of seeds from tomatoes and peppers that were harvested out of state. Theyre supposed to be eradicated before they hit the market so germination should be pretty low. Ive done this a few times and i get a few but its fun. WELLLLLL this year i got clowe to a 90% germination rate. What will i do with all these mystery tomato and pepper plants! Haha Love your videos keep it up plant hero!
Thank You for the great tips! Like you, I have almost the same last frost date. I am starting seeds often now.Its good to get a refresher on seed starting.
I have learned a lot from your videos, and i thank you. When I saw the part about checking the germination of older seeds it reminded me that I have some seeds I was given in 1972 as a gift for selling seeds for a seed company. Do you believe these seeds would still germinate? They have always been kept indoors in a controlled climate.
Thank you! I’ve been struggling with leggy plants thinking that the shop lights I’ve been using are the problem but seems like I may also be keeping them on the heat mat too long.
Are you really Adolfo Martinez the actor that played Jacob Nighthorse on Longmire? You look just like him!!! Anyway, I love your gardening videos! Very helpful info!
Great video. I recently got a "smart" timer that connects to an app on my phone and I can set as many different on-off settings as I want, turn it off or on from my phone and best of all monitor my overall power usage for my grow area. I can see on a time graphic when my power usage goes up, for example when the heater comes on. I have 2 (bought as a pair) one for the always on circuit and one for the timed circuit so I can monitor everything. It was only about $30 for the pair.
I just looked at all my seeds. One bag has instructions for starting seeds indoors. Is there just a general rule of thumb that all tomatoes/ any vegitable you want to start indoors, are started x weeks before the last frost date. If so is there an easy to grab list somewhere?
Great question! I'd love to know the answer, I'm just starting out, I bought seeds last year but I didn't realize I bought them a little too late. 🤦♀️
There are some general rules for similar plants, but no general rule for everything. Tomatoes 6-8 weeks, peppers 8-12 weeks, perennial flowers 6-12 weeks. It depends on the plant, which is why the seed packet information is a good place to start. You can find general lists with internet searches.
I'm sure there are lots, but I really like the planting calculator from "A Way To Garden"! Input last frost date and boom, you have a calendar all printed up for a bunch of common plants. I know I should just look at the seed packets, but hey, I'm lazy.
With the 72 cell setup I've had issues with some seeds germinating way prior than others so I would have to take out the six pack separated from it where I would lose track of what it is. Because of course they need sunlight as soon as they begin germinating
I have a lot of seeds dating back to 2019 or so--I'll try the germination test. Do you plant the seeds that sprout? Thanks for the info-- I always learn something new or get reminded of things I've forgotten about, like moistening the starting mix.
Nice videos, I like your work,,,,,Question,,,,when we talk about soil, compost and manure, if we obtain these products from our local nursery how can we be certain that they are safe to grow food in? Is there a way we can test to be sure that they are getting quality in their loads that they provide to their customers? Im not talking about OMRI listed bags of these products, but large piles that they have for sale there. I need to be sure that what Im growing in is safe,,,, TY for all your videos
You really can't be certain unless you know the source. I've heard many stories of disastrous results because the piles were made from contaminated organic materials. I prefer to use whatever I have in my landscape because I can be sure it is chemical and contaminate free.
Thanks for the video Gardener Scott. Have you had much experience with power outages while seed starting? I just started my first seeds of the year a few days ago, pepper seeds, so they haven't germinated yet, but earlier we had an ice storm and lost power for most of the day and the house got pretty cold. I'm now worried that the cold might have ruined the germination process and wondering if I should start some more seeds, and how I can be more prepared to deal with these type of things in the future. Thanks.
Excellent video, as always. I'd like to point out something you said at 05:34 because I think it was a slip of the tongue and you might want to correct it (unless I misunderstood; being metric myself, perhaps I got confused). You say 1 1/2 cup of water. That should be bleach, right?
Scott if it takes a seed 7 days to germinate would you not also add those 7 days to the weeks you are to start seeds before the last frost? Some seeds can take up to 21 days to germinate so that would definitely interfere with the count back from last frost date I would think. What’s your thought on this. Thank you
Sir your videos are always super, About the correction which I felt you might be able to correct, I only met to help. Yes I did not ever planned on"me" helping my great teacher Sir Thanks for your teaching Sir
I went on vacation 4 days and when I got back a few seedling has some mold. Is there any way to get rid of the mold or do I need to replant those seeds???
And here's a question. Have you ever tried working with moon phases? I tried it many years ago but didn't find any difference or advantage. I kind of think it's a bit of a myth, sympathetic magic as it were. What are your thoughts about it?
I agree it is a bit of a myth. I have a very short growing season and if I were to wait for the moon cycles I would limit myself in growing some plants. I think soil temperature is a much better determinant of when to plant.
@@GardenerScott I appreciate your reply. This is my second year starting plants indoors. I raise Monarch butterflies. I am growing Hairy Balls Milkweed. Unfortunately, I dropped too many seeds in the holes by accident and it appears as if they all germinated. Now I have to buy more trays and transplant them or pull them out and throw them away. I have the heat mats and the T5 lights. I understand we are supposed to take the domes off after they germinate. The problem I am having is if I take the domes off it seems the water cools down and gets cold despite the trays sitting on the heat mats. Do you recommend a particular type of heat mat?
Could you, please, fix the affiliate Amazon link? Right now, it does not work and just takes me to the front page. I would actually love to buy some of these seed starting trays :)
Thanks. The link works. I don't have a dedicated store page. When you click the link it takes you to your normal Amazon front page but I get credit for purchases when you use the link. I appreciate your support and concern. You can try it from here: www.amazon.com/?tag=gardenerscott-20
You only add enough water that can be absorbed by the soil and used by plants. As soil begins to dry, more water is added a day or more later. There shouldn't be a continual pool of water.
@@GardenerScott sounds good thanks. I’ve been filing the trays about1/3rd full and letting sit about 30 to 45 minutes and then draining excess water out.
I must be the worst gardener ever. My seeds germinate and my lettuce gets so leggy they look like toothpicks! I have an LED desk lamp on them. I'm thinking it's not a strong enough light. I'm about to give up
Great info..had one question I got a heat mat and it wasn't getting warm so I sent it back and this second one seemed to just get a bit warm in the center. I've never used one before so I don't know how warm it's suppose to feel when plugged in?
To correct a misstatement in the video: when I make a sanitizing solution, I use 1 1/2 cups of chlorine bleach in a gallon jug filled with water.
Knew what you meant. Lol
Seems like a lot of bleach. I suppose 9:1 is the level for heathcare. I guess I'm not used to that for home use.
00
Loved the idea of one empty cell for watering. So clever.
And if you use a 72 cell tray and his seed charting method, the empty cell tells you the orientation of the tray and chart.
@@ttb1513such a good idea!
Great info! Thanks @Gardener Scott!
0:36 When do I start my seeds?
3:00 Why you should look to see how old the seeds are
3:34 How to calculate the viability of seeds through a germination test
4:20 Where do I start my seeds?
4:30 Why your seed starting area should be clean
4:50 Why you should only work with clean pots (& how to sanitize)
6:00 Be as organized as possible (and how the “Mise en place” method can help)
6:58 Use a designated seed starter mix to start your seeds
7:10 Make sure the mix is moist before you put seeds into it (and why)
7:51 How to determine the right moisture level of your seed starting mix
8:16 Label and mark everything that you grow (& Scott’s system for labeling 72-cell packs)
9:46 How temperature and humidity affect your success at seed starting
10:42 When to use heat mats for starting seeds
11:46 Air humidity and how to help soil stay evenly moist
12:24 When to cover your seedlings with a plastic dome lid (and what you can use if you don’t have a regular lid)
13:36 Why you should leave one cell empty when you fill your trays with soil mix (this tip is brilliant)
14:46 How much light your seedlings need
lovely, thanks! :)
I’m not one to comment on TH-cam videos but must say how much I value and appreciate all your videos, especially as someone who kind of fell into gardening a year ago once the pandemic / quarantine hit. I’ve learned a lot from you and, I’m certain, will continue to do so. Thank you very much!
This episode is packed with tips Scott. Brilliant stuff. Awesome mate
Hou Tony . Have a Nice day 😆
That empty cell tip is freaking brilliant!
Thanks for your Service.
You are a true treasure, thank you for sharing and helping us. Please keep up the help. Happy Valentines Day tomorrow!
Great tips, and I have one to add. If you buy seed starting mix, its possible it has fungus gnats or their eggs in it. I had this problem this year when I started my onions. Before I started more seeds I went to the Dollar Tree and got a 12 cup microwave safe container with a lid. I put the mix in, put the lid on, and microwaved it for 4 minutes. No more gnat problem. Some people recommend adding boiling water. But I find the microwave is safer. Now I have the container and I will keep it and do this in the future.
Oh wow! I'm about to do my first garden this year, thank you for the great tip!
@@GirlMomma Congrats on starting gardening. The gnats for the most part are a nuisance, but they can harm seedling roots if they get out of hand. Last year I just used left over potting soil from the year before and didnt have them. This year I splurged got Burpee seed starting mix and it was full of them. The microwave made it easy to get rid of them without the danger of spilling boiling water when adding it to a mix.
@@j.b.6855 thank you kindly! I'm so excited now that I found you and have some inside tips! I had no idea that gardening entails so much work. I suppose I naively thought that you just throw the seeds in and water them.
@@GirlMomma Gardening can have work involved. You can also make it easy, it all depends on how you setup your garden. My first year I started small with the goal of learning. I hope you make learning one of your goals. Gardener Scott has a lot of good information. Other good channels with information are The Rusted Garden, MiGardener, and Scott Head (Black Gumbo). One piece of advice I can give is there will be ups and downs like most things in life. Concentrate more on whats working than what isnt and expand on what works for you.
@@j.b.6855 hello friend, thank you so much for taking the time to explain that to me. I most definitely will have my goal be to learn this year. There is so much information that I feel totally confused, so I think that will help me tremendously by defining my goal and not overwhelm myself anymore, I like that idea! 🤗👍
Putting everything on a calendar is a great idea. I am new to seed starting and having everything planned out on a calendar makes it less overwhelming.
You’re awesome !
I've been gardening in the Southwest for over 20 years. I love that you mention both regional and worldwide strategies! After 2020's effect on the hobby, I decided to sell my spare seedlings this year, so the best south-facing window in the house is already crowded with trays of teensy seedlings.
How can you not love this guy,,,
Nice tips information about the seeding
I like the tee-shirt words, and this is informative
Thank you. I'm honored that you mentioned my tip on the empty cell.
I have another tip on labeling that works best for me. I'm not as organized as you are so I would lose the piece of paper probably before the seeds have even germinated and the tags get in the way of the lights and sometimes the names rub off the tags. I use the plastic tape that looks like electrician's tape that comes in different colors. I can write the name with a sharpie on a piece of tape and stick it to the side of the six pack. I usually separate the cells into their individual six packs so I can move them around if I need to. Before I started doing this I mixed things up all of the time, especially Brassicas which all look alike. I can take each little six pack out to the garden at planting time or to pot up and not lose track of what's in each one.
Thanks, Karin. Good tip. I've done the same thing with masking tape, even on the large trays.
You make excellent, excellent, informative videos. I’ve watched other videos that were made by loud mouth bullshitters. They give misinformation under the guise of being an expert. I do increase the speed of some of your videos, however, on subjects that I am somewhat familiar with, and watch at normal speed on new topics. You have made videos that are great for ALL levels of experience!! Thank you, Gardener Scott.❤️. I really appreciate your wisdom, and education, I like to learn something or several things everyday! It keeps my life interesting.😊
Thanks again, Scott!!!👍👍👍
Thanks Gardner Scott for the helpful tips. The germination test video was very helpful. I discovered the reason why some of my fall garden plants failed were due to low germination rates in some of my seed packets. And the use for the heat pad for specific plants was a game changer for me and the watering from the bottom tip as well
I also use worm castings
I like to mix in some worm castings; those you helped me create.
Good to hear. I add my castings to my potting mix.
Thank you Gardener Scott for your excellent tips to your system! Bought some plastic plant tags last and so much better than wooden that fade out.
Thanks so much Gardner Scott. Getting pumped for my second year of seed starting and this video will make a huge difference.
Get a shelf or area that is deep enough to fit both your ceiling tray, your light, and terra-cotta pots surrounding the tray. Usually if I crank the full spectrum light to 75 to 100% power, warm weather plants will sprout. As soon as they sprout I turn the light down 225 to 50% so the ceilings don’t get burned. Light is kept less than 6 inches above the surface. Also if you set aside a bit of cocoa core or something similar you can put your seed in the soil, and then dabble a tiny bit of cocoa core on top of the ceiling and it makes it that much easier for it to pop up. I love watching the stuff come up it is such a cheer. Thank you Gardner Scott.
Oh my God Siri
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us...there’s so much I don’t know! I am afraid that last year might be a fluke,
(first garden) and at least I realize that I don’t have much knowledge...I learned some lessons with my tomatoes last year. I do have common sense on my side though! Again thank you 😊
KEEP CALM AND GARDEN ON ♥️🙏👍🇺🇸🐓😎
I'm sure it wasn't a fluke! I bet you will do amazing! I don't have too much common sense on my side anymore, lol wish me luck!
Great tips! Especially the empty cell in seed starting tray one!!! Excited to start soon!
I love the idea of leaving one cell open to facilitate watering.
Thanks for sharing.
I have germination tests ongoing that will be through in time for me to start my seeds here in zone 8 very soon.
I learned a lot by watching this video. Thanks Gardener Scott.
I have learned so much from your videos ! Thank you ❤️
Excellent
good video much useful info.
Really enjoying all these seed sowing videos Scott, I’m learning more every time 😊
I discovered you just about a week ago and watch a few of your videos each day! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I'll be starting my seeds soon - it's driving me crazy that it's still a little too early!
Oh, I am so excited to get back to the garden. This reminded me that we've got to go through the seeds and draw up a plan.
Thank you SO much for this!! 🤗💙 You are the best!!
Wonderful video! Thanks I'm starting at ground zero and these tips are essential to success.
Great TH-cam channel! Would like to see a video on yields from plants. Backyard gardener here. Would like to know how much I really have to plant to make it worthwhile for canning and freezing.
Thanks! I am planning videos on that subject.
I had 4 year old beet seeds that I planted in 2020. I had a great harvest.👍👍
I love the idea it work and it is a appe tree
My first season with a stack and grow light setup - thanks for all the info !
Thank you for your video. This is my favorite video of yours. I’m a beginner at seed starting and I really appreciate your thoughtful and straightforward tips. After watching your video I know I can be successful at starting my own seedlings this year! Thank you so much Gardener Scott!
I keep expecting a beautiful braid down your back lol💜
Great video Scott sanitation is very important during the seedling stage, I have started microwaving my soil if Im reusing it or using old garden soil to make sure its sterilized, its easy to put a few small pots in & after a minute the soil is clean of harmful pathogens/microbes.
Great tips 👌
Another note/tip; use a water conditioner for aquarium water use, to treat the water you are using for the seeds/seedlings! I live in a city that heavily chlorinates the water. I have tested the water & found its level of chlorine to be higher than I keep it in my swimming pool, which can kill seeds/seedlings.
Like always great information Scott , thank you! And believe me , i enjoy it ! Have a Nice day .
Thank you!!!!! I didn't know how to find my last frost date. You are the best!
Hi Gardner Scott! Thank you so much for all the really important information. :-) it will really help me a lot.
Thank you for sharing all your great knowledge ☺️
Great
I saved a bunch of seeds from tomatoes and peppers that were harvested out of state. Theyre supposed to be eradicated before they hit the market so germination should be pretty low. Ive done this a few times and i get a few but its fun.
WELLLLLL this year i got clowe to a 90% germination rate. What will i do with all these mystery tomato and pepper plants! Haha
Love your videos keep it up plant hero!
Thank You for the great tips! Like you, I have almost the same last frost date. I am starting seeds often now.Its good to get a refresher on seed starting.
Great summary, I’m ready!
I have learned a lot from your videos, and i thank you. When I saw the part about checking the germination of older seeds it reminded me that I have some seeds I was given in 1972 as a gift for selling seeds for a seed company. Do you believe these seeds would still germinate? They have always been kept indoors in a controlled climate.
It's possible some of the seeds can be viable. Here's my video on how to test germination: th-cam.com/video/lL4zSCSIqBI/w-d-xo.html
Great stuff, thanks Scott, I just got some similar advice about covering my seed trays 😁
Thank you! I’ve been struggling with leggy plants thinking that the shop lights I’ve been using are the problem but seems like I may also be keeping them on the heat mat too long.
He did not mention how close the lights need to be to the plants...I keep them 2-3 inches above..so they are not reaching..( leggy) for the light.
@@lesliejacobs1439 thank you!
Are you really Adolfo Martinez the actor that played Jacob Nighthorse on Longmire? You look just like him!!! Anyway, I love your gardening videos! Very helpful info!
I love him, but you're the first to say that. Thanks.
Great video. I recently got a "smart" timer that connects to an app on my phone and I can set as many different on-off settings as I want, turn it off or on from my phone and best of all monitor my overall power usage for my grow area. I can see on a time graphic when my power usage goes up, for example when the heater comes on. I have 2 (bought as a pair) one for the always on circuit and one for the timed circuit so I can monitor everything. It was only about $30 for the pair.
Thanks, Kevin. That's a great idea.
I just looked at all my seeds. One bag has instructions for starting seeds indoors. Is there just a general rule of thumb that all tomatoes/ any vegitable you want to start indoors, are started x weeks before the last frost date. If so is there an easy to grab list somewhere?
Great question! I'd love to know the answer, I'm just starting out, I bought seeds last year but I didn't realize I bought them a little too late. 🤦♀️
There are some general rules for similar plants, but no general rule for everything. Tomatoes 6-8 weeks, peppers 8-12 weeks, perennial flowers 6-12 weeks. It depends on the plant, which is why the seed packet information is a good place to start. You can find general lists with internet searches.
I'm sure there are lots, but I really like the planting calculator from "A Way To Garden"! Input last frost date and boom, you have a calendar all printed up for a bunch of common plants. I know I should just look at the seed packets, but hey, I'm lazy.
@@amothinisengard6505 oh wow! That's perfect! Thank you so much!
Waiting for my Rosemary to come up from seed is driving me crazy! The seem to take the full amount of time even on a heat mat.
I wrote down your schedule as mine should be the same. I couldn't tell "what" you said for April 13.
I'm planning Agastache on that day. It's a native perennial in my area.
Do you have a video on which seeds need heat (what temp?) and those that don’t? I have a small set up and am starting a variety but in small amounts.
I don't, but that info is easy to find through a search.
Any thoughts on the self-wicking trays? Thanks!
I use them for some seed starting, but the felt pad doesn't transfer heat well so I don't use them for seeds that need a heat mat.
@@GardenerScott Thanks! I'm going to try them this year for an experiment.
I love that bin in front of you. Curious where you got it or what it's called?
Tidy Tray 🙂
It's a Tidy Tray. Here's where I got it: www.greenhousemegastore.com/yard-garden/tools/garden-tools/tidy-tray
With the 72 cell setup I've had issues with some seeds germinating way prior than others so I would have to take out the six pack separated from it where I would lose track of what it is. Because of course they need sunlight as soon as they begin germinating
I have a lot of seeds dating back to 2019 or so--I'll try the germination test. Do you plant the seeds that sprout? Thanks for the info-- I always learn something new or get reminded of things I've forgotten about, like moistening the starting mix.
Yes, I usually try and plant the sprouted seeds. I hate killing plants even when they're just a small sprout.
Nice videos, I like your work,,,,,Question,,,,when we talk about soil, compost and manure, if we obtain these products from our local nursery how can we be certain that they are safe to grow food in? Is there a way we can test to be sure that they are getting quality in their loads that they provide to their customers? Im not talking about OMRI listed bags of these products, but large piles that they have for sale there. I need to be sure that what Im growing in is safe,,,, TY for all your videos
You really can't be certain unless you know the source. I've heard many stories of disastrous results because the piles were made from contaminated organic materials. I prefer to use whatever I have in my landscape because I can be sure it is chemical and contaminate free.
I noticed when you meant to say a cup and a half bleach you said water.
Thanks for the video Gardener Scott. Have you had much experience with power outages while seed starting? I just started my first seeds of the year a few days ago, pepper seeds, so they haven't germinated yet, but earlier we had an ice storm and lost power for most of the day and the house got pretty cold. I'm now worried that the cold might have ruined the germination process and wondering if I should start some more seeds, and how I can be more prepared to deal with these type of things in the future.
Thanks.
I've had occasional power losses over the years, but haven't seen any problems. Even a day of cooler temps should be okay.
👌
Excellent video, as always. I'd like to point out something you said at 05:34 because I think it was a slip of the tongue and you might want to correct it (unless I misunderstood; being metric myself, perhaps I got confused). You say 1 1/2 cup of water. That should be bleach, right?
Yes. Thank you. I didn't realize I misstated it. I use 1 1/2 cups of bleach in a gallon jug of water.
@@GardenerScott Happens to me all the time. :)))
Scott if it takes a seed 7 days to germinate would you not also add those 7 days to the weeks you are to start seeds before the last frost? Some seeds can take up to 21 days to germinate so that would definitely interfere with the count back from last frost date I would think. What’s your thought on this. Thank you
The weeks printed on seed packets usually account for the germination time so you don't need to add extra time.
Opss the 1.5 cups of water? Should you said bleach then fill water.
Sir you are mostly right
Thanks
Yes, that's correct.
Sir your videos are always super, About the correction which I felt you might be able to correct, I only met to help.
Yes I did not ever planned on"me" helping my great teacher Sir
Thanks for your teaching Sir
I love your shirt. I have bought one shirt and I want this one too. Will be available on the site soon? I did not see it there.
It should show up soon. If you click on a different shirt, I think it will take you to the main site where you can search for other options. Thanks.
Do you water your seeds everyday after they are sowed?
It depends on the humidity and whether they need it. I usually don't have to water at all when the dome covers them.
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Correction needed Sir about the adding your bleach mix
See below Buddy
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Let's say u pot up your plants do u use seed starting mix the full time before the planting or at some point do u use potting soil?
I use seed starter mix to start and then when the seedlings have two sets of true leaves I transplant to potting soil mix.
@@GardenerScottthank u
How often we should water? Last year I got too much fungi on the seedling soil and damage my seedlings.:)
Often enough to keep the soil mix moist but not saturated.
@@GardenerScott Thank you! So use the corner empty cell to add water, right? Keep the soil moisture but not too wet, am I right?
I went on vacation 4 days and when I got back a few seedling has some mold. Is there any way to get rid of the mold or do I need to replant those seeds???
They're probably okay. Allow the soil surface to dry out. That should help.
good. you're still thawed
And here's a question. Have you ever tried working with moon phases? I tried it many years ago but didn't find any difference or advantage. I kind of think it's a bit of a myth, sympathetic magic as it were. What are your thoughts about it?
I agree it is a bit of a myth. I have a very short growing season and if I were to wait for the moon cycles I would limit myself in growing some plants. I think soil temperature is a much better determinant of when to plant.
@@GardenerScott Thanks for your input.
I'm trying to decide on a grow light. Any suggestions?
I just use inexpensive shop lights. I have a few other videos that discuss some of the considerations when choosing.
@@GardenerScott thanks! I went back and found a video on your setup. I have some old shop lights sitting in my dad's garage.
the seed that you use to test the germination, do you plant them and use them as starter plants?
Yes, the ones that germinate are easy to transplant into a small pot.
@@GardenerScott Will you make a video of that, is there a benefit of starting your seeds like that first and then planting them in the starter soil?
where are the videos about what to do with the plants after they have germinated?
There are a few videos on that subject in my channel library. Here's one: th-cam.com/video/OZJH8v8h1pU/w-d-xo.html
@@GardenerScott I appreciate your reply. This is my second year starting plants indoors. I raise Monarch butterflies. I am growing Hairy Balls Milkweed. Unfortunately, I dropped too many seeds in the holes by accident and it appears as if they all germinated. Now I have to buy more trays and transplant them or pull them out and throw them away.
I have the heat mats and the T5 lights. I understand we are supposed to take the domes off after they germinate. The problem I am having is if I take the domes off it seems the water cools down and gets cold despite the trays sitting on the heat mats. Do you recommend a particular type of heat mat?
Could you, please, fix the affiliate Amazon link? Right now, it does not work and just takes me to the front page. I would actually love to buy some of these seed starting trays :)
Thanks. The link works. I don't have a dedicated store page. When you click the link it takes you to your normal Amazon front page but I get credit for purchases when you use the link. I appreciate your support and concern. You can try it from here: www.amazon.com/?tag=gardenerscott-20
When you water from the bottom, do you leave the water in there? Or do you remove it after an amount of time?
You only add enough water that can be absorbed by the soil and used by plants. As soil begins to dry, more water is added a day or more later. There shouldn't be a continual pool of water.
@@GardenerScott sounds good thanks. I’ve been filing the trays about1/3rd full and letting sit about 30 to 45 minutes and then draining excess water out.
Nice Pictures ,still handsome looking
I must be the worst gardener ever. My seeds germinate and my lettuce gets so leggy they look like toothpicks! I have an LED desk lamp on them. I'm thinking it's not a strong enough light. I'm about to give up
Don't give up yet. Just raise the plants or lower the light so they're closer.
@@GardenerScott Thanks Scott! I'll keep you posted if I have better luck 🌱
@@patc1309 He also mentions that lettuce can get leggy if the temperature is too high. A consideration.
@@ttb1513 Thank you! I have them growing in my room and it's very warm in there. Maybe I need to dial it back
Great info..had one question I got a heat mat and it wasn't getting warm so I sent it back and this second one seemed to just get a bit warm in the center. I've never used one before so I don't know how warm it's suppose to feel when plugged in?
Thanks. They just get warm, not hot like a medical heating pad. Some will radiate heat through the mat after a flat is placed on top.
@@GardenerScott thanks I'll check it again...I thought it might need the tray on top to work..ugh..I'm learning