Hi - Raised in Michigan, Live in Iowa. I am older, started last year at 59 years old with my first attempt at vegetable gardening. After working in IT for 45 years with all the stress, as well as the affects of covid my body broke down. I retired from the hustle and bustle of my old life and began an organic vegetable garden with two raised beds and a multitude of grow bags. I began the process of learning about what I was attempting via TH-cam and that is where I found you. I follow others as well but I seem to learn and retain more watching your channel. I had a head injury some years back causing some short-term memory issues and I don’t know why but your delivery process with information sticks in my head. I just want to thank you for your passion and service to all of us out here watching and learning.
Gardening is the best thing you can do for all your issues! I have some of the same and just being outside with the plants is healing. I lived in West Des Moines and Ankeny and while the growing season is shorter, the soil is SUPERIOR!! Huge spinach crop that produced into June and I don’t think it ever bolted! Huge tomatoes. Everything just did so well and I didn’t have to put in much work year after year! God bless and restore you!!
For surface sowing, it's an absolute necessity for seeds as small as tobacco or foxglove. What I like to do is cover them with a single ply tissue or toilet paper and mist it with my spray bottle. The paper will keep the seeds moist, and will break down by the time the seeds germinate.
Just planted six milk jugs of tomato seeds kept from last year. Planted about one flat of green pepper seeds to grow inside and will put those under a growlight after they sprout. Trying a growlight on them because peppers take forever!. Zucchinni grow easily in milk jugs too. Need to start them too and some marigolds. Cucumbers we just get in the soil when it warms up. Good luck everyone! Gardening is so needed now. Best wishes to you Luke and Cindy on the best season ever!
So. I'm here to admit that I watch/binge-listen your episodes while I start seeds, all the way through harvesting...because your face is super cheerful & you have great, motivational content. Great advice, always!
I did not clear all my garden 2 years ago and had left my cherry tomato plants in all winter. Last year I had Cherry Tomatoes growing in that spot next to my jalapenos that I had planted there. We call the tomato plants "got aways." I left them as an experiment. They produced and were wonderful. Think of the plant in terms of nature and how they survive and reproduce. Sometimes we often overthink things and try too hard.
I'm very glad to hear that indoor seed starting is not necessary. Everyone around me has been pushing me to find space to start indoors when I did perfectly find direct sowing EVERYTHING I wanted to grow last year. I may want to find space to do some indoors in the future, but until then, I'll let Mother Nature do her work.
I'm glad direct sowing works out so well for you. My garden is the exact opposite, where I can't direct sow anything without asking for trouble because of all the pests around here. I need to transplant just about everything, including carrots and beets, which I do in cardboard tubes.
@MIgardener would love to see your take on green houses, if/when they are required and how best to construct. Get the feeling that you will be able to break a greenhouse discussion into its basics and help many of us. I’m keen to build a small greenhouse, but not sure I’m doing the right thing.
Went back a few years in your videos, you have definitely been passionate forever! Thanks for the lessons. I'm hoping to do better on my onions this year.
Couldn't agree more. I was panicking with imperfect seedlings before but then I saw very experienced grower who had the same problem as I did (Purple leaves, curled leaves etc) and they were not panicking like I did. As soon as they are transferred in the garden they pop back up and go very healthy so I think what we are worrying a lot about is not anything to worry about.
Check your Species of seed. Find preferred temp range. Preferred lighting and preferred watering habit. Use low strength water soluble fertilizer approx 1-1-1 in small quantities to ensure nutrients for growth. Also make sure your soil starting mix is very light and moist and easy for roots to penetrate. I use peat moss and perlite and have had great germination and so far survival of peppers and tomatoes. Some of my jalapenos have been in approx 3 inch across 3 inch tall circular starting pots for 2-3 months and i cant wait the monster's they have become in to my garden in a couple weeks. Gonna go buy an insecticide today cause aphids are appearing on about 20 pepper plant starts I have in a terrarium and its so incredibly frustrating trying to smush and pick them off multiple times a day. Happy growing.
Without knowing much more about your situation, if you are starting indoors, what you are describing could be what is called "damping off" which is caused by too much moisture and a fungal infection. Once you've got that there is nothing you can do. Best way to avoid that that is to ensure good air circulation and avoiding over-watering, which is a very common problem with people new to indoor growing.
So I’m not saying you are wrong, but I now only start seedlings with potting soil and compost mixed together. I have never have had a problem. The reason why I do this, because I live in upstate NY, and some of my seedling need to stay indoors for 2 months.
I have been gardening for 3 years now, and after years of practice with Luke and others, I have now got down to a science. Heat mats and domes are only to help the seeds to sprout. After that, you don't need it.
I enjoyed and learned from every question that you answered. You confirmed some; added more understanding to others (referring to the answers you gave to each question). I'm in Zone 4; so starting seeds indoors and winter sowing in plastic jugs is a must. I also enjoy listening to you speak, because you are one that's not in the habit of saying "um" a lot of times. You're a great speaker! I appreciate you tremendously and appreciate your products. I'm going to look to see if you have a video on winter sowing with containers.
Thank you, Luke! Seeds arrived safely yesterday! I'm super excited for the broccoli rabe... I just struggle with spring flower brassicas with our quick warm ups! I hope it's not too late (I'm going to try anyway) 😁 Thanks for keeping it affordable for all of us! 🙏💚
I'm having decent success starting seeds outdoors in a cold frame and in a raised bed with a plastic cover. This year I got fancy and added a heat mat inside the cold frame for peppers, tomatoes, and snapdragons. So fun!
❤Thanks Luke. 😮we have been having pretty much warm days already in Central Florida, Sunshine ☀ State zone 9b. I am really waiting for fall or end of summer. 😢I can't fight the brutal sun☀ and heat 🔥 we get . My plants always suffer. Happy gardening everyone just the same.
When starting a full tray of seedlings with heat mat and humidity cover some of the seeds germinate faster than others. I've been told to not keep the germinated plants on the heat mat or under cover once they germinate. But in the case of germinating peppers I'm told that they need the heat mat and humidity. How do you handle a tray of varying seed germination? Am I supposed to try to take out a fragile, freshly germinated pepper to repot so early so that all of the others can be returned to the heat mat and humidity? I love your channel.
Once you see some sprouting plants. Keep on the heat mat. Take off the Dome. Use some fan. Keep cells moist and eventually the other seeds will sprout up. Then remove the heat mat and keep under at least 12 hours of light with fan. Works for me anyway. I do a lot of pepper varieties
I am so glad you said I didn't need to start indoors!!! I'm in Michigan, about 30 miles West of Port Huron. I believed I wouldn't have enough time to grow if I direct seeded. Thank you!!!!
????What do I add to put nutrition back in my garden before adding plants? You have given me the confidence I can be successful even with mistakes along the way.
I agree about heat mats. I grow strawberries from seeds. The germination rate without a heat mat or some way to really control temperatures is insanely low. Before heat mat, i might get 1 out of 100 to germinate. With heat mat, i get around 80%+. This is a case i absolutely will use them. Part of my issue is where i start my seeds is a little cool for strawberries. Its difficult to keep the temperature good. Everything else doesn't care. I notice too that a heat mat accelerate germination in most other plants too. Ive tested seed germination time all out through my house and with without seed mats. Without seed mats i tend to see it takes a longer time to germinate. With seed mats many seeds will break ground within 3-7 days. Well ahead of schedule. Its a total luxury in that regard. Just start earlier. But it allows me to pivot faster. So if something isn't working i didn't burn 2 weeks.
I'm frankly too lazy to start my seeds indoors in trays (I've tried a couple of times with little to no success - maybe too frustrated is more accurate) plus I have no place to put the trays to germinate (wife says ABSOLUTELY NOT on the windowsill because of moisture) ... they get direct sown and if they come they come if not I buy plants to put in the garden. Garden was turned over a couple of weeks ago and lettuce, chives, scallions and bok choy were planted (via direct sown seeds) yesterday. Hit 73 degrees yesterday and on average now in mid 50's with lows in the low to mid 40's. Every fall I also add shredded leaves on top of the soil then let them rot over the winter and till them in in March. Other option is to buy a cheap mini green house.
Thanks for the video, very important one indeed as I struggled a lot in the past with starting seeds. Experienced grower think its easy but when you start gardening, ohhh my there is SO much information to learn, it can be very challenging the first year. Thank you sir.
Thank you for mentioning the first set of leaves dying off, I thought I was doing something wrong with my broccoli and cauliflower when those leaves started to shrivel up when they had a few sets of true leaves! Phew, good to know that that's normal 😅
Honestly, I am one of those gardeners that (for a long time) didn't start seeds indoors and instead bought starts. (zone 7b) But after several years, it became painfully clear that starting seeds indoors for things like onions, tomatoes, and peppers was immensely cheaper than buying sets/starts. This year, I started (for example) 1 72-cell tray of Roma tomatoes, and every single seed germinated (Migardner seed, btw) After the first stage of up-potting (to 3" pots) I lost NONE to transplant shock. Needless to say, I am going to have my hands full with tomatoes this season and I am super excited about it. Had I purchased that many starts it would have cost me hundreds of dollars.
Do you pull your humidity domes off seedling trays and remove them from heat when you see the first one? Or do you wait to see a few more?! If anyone can answer this I'd be super grateful!
I microwaved a lot of soil this year. Maybe fifteen 10x20 trays worth. It was salvaged Potting soil from the year before, along with clay, aged Coco coir, and Peat moss(left outside uncovered in storage bins). I won't ever use Perlite though. Coco coir drains and dries fast, while Peatmoss retains moisture, and they are on opposite ends of the PH scale. So a mix of both is the best idea in my view. I can the use of plug trays, compared to 72 cell. They really help in a production environment especially if you aren't the only one doing the tedious transplant work.
Thank you for the info!! Refreshes my memory. ;-) Can anyone who has a greenhouse and a similar situation give their expertise? After three seasons of vegetable gardening in sandy clay and spending so much on amendments that did nothing, we invested in a greenhouse (32x24) and some raised beds last summer. Due to some health issues, we got everything up but didn’t get the cover on before it got too cold (needs to be 60+) and I am chomping at the bit. I still put some garlic in and they are doing pretty well In our Zone 5B. Getting ready to add onions, spinach soon, etc. Early but the raised beds are showing warmer temp than soil. I am concerned that we won’t be able to get the cover on until late April and I like to direct sow. It’s what I’ve done for decades all across the eastern U.S. Tried the grow light and I got spindly plants that died. I have too many porches so can’t do windowsills in this house. We would like to provide for our small community. Any expertise is greatly appreciated!
QUESTION. I have an unheated room with floor to really high up windows. I live in Montana. Our low temps are still single digits to 20s. So that room heats up to like 70 during the day but is like 40 or 50s at night. I just planted my onions in solo cups. My question is how low of Temps can my seed starts take. I'm thinking of putting a little heater in that room maybe at night. It's a pretty small room. Any advice would be greatly appreciated !! I have some starts in my house but I have 2. 6 month old kittens that get into EVERYTHING . That's why I want to put my plants in my green room lol
I think you're fine within that range. You may concider frost blankets during the lows at night on your peppers to avoid stunting. I have huge swings in my greenhouse (22°F to 90°F) so I have to be especially careful to open windows for my cold weather crops and grow my peppers and onions in a window sill. I wait a little longer to start on my tomatoes until after it's no longer dropping bellow 34°F in the greenhouse. But 40°F to 70°F sounds perfect!
When I transition my plants to the greenhouse where temps are down in the 20s at night and only 40s during the day, I use a heat mat and row covers to keep some ambient heat around the plants. Works well and don’t need to heat the greenhouse.
I start peppers and tomatoes and a lot of other plants inside and I've never used a heat mat. My ambient house temperature is just fine and conducive to grow all of those things
I've been looking to replace my fluorescent lights for LED lights to save some on the electric bill but a lot of the information that I have been looking at says the lights need to be one to two feet away from the plants or more I start my plants in racks and need to grow them pretty large because my growing season is short my question is what heat or power or wattage of LED lights should I get so that I can keep the lights closer to the plants
Video includes the following questions: 0:59 What's the best seed starting mix? 3:41 Should you fertilize your seedlings? 6:31 How deep should I be planting my seeds? 10:10 Is it bad to leave seeds stored in the cold? 12:04 Best Indoor Gardening Supplies? 15:27 Leave your questions in the comments Upvote for visibility, happy gardening!
It just depends on what you have space for. Seeds started in larger pots do just fine, they typically just take up more room per plant than a flat or tray.
Do I pack the starter soil into tray, then poke holes for planting? If I don’t, then when I make hole for seed it packs and then I do not have much soil left.
So knowledgeable. Always learn so much. Ohio. Zone 6a. Starting red centflor and walls walls in milk jugs today. Plan on setting in garden pots ( 5 gal ) may 10-15th. 😍
Thank you Luke. I love your videos. My question is how to refresh my container or window box soil to reuse this year. What do I add? I think I really need a video for this. If there is a past one, please link me thank you! You have been so much help so far in my journey to learn.
I like to dump all my used soil into a big plastic container then mix together with whatever I want to add before refilling the original container with the now enriched soil. What plants are you planning to grow? Some plants want drainage (add perlite, ) some plants wants water retention (add peat moss) some want rich soil (add any soil rich in organic matter such as manures and compost). Also clay from the ground is a good addition in small quantities for minerals I believe.
Question, I'm a little confused about not fertilizing when starting seeds. In a previous video this year about seed starting mix, you add a little Trifecta + and some worm castings. Are those considered something other than fertilizer?
I was searching and searching for care advice for my baby Patchouli and who did I come across but a familiar looking Luke from Larry's Orchids? I figured I could trust Luke from the past because he would go on to teach me a large portion of what I know about gardening here on TH-cam University! 😄
Please do a video on seed starting troubleshooting. Maybe one on specific seeds that are harder to grow. I have the basics down but sometimes I run into trouble like bugs have been an issue this year and even some dampening. Thx!
Ok, I question saying heat mats, aren't needed, and saying they're liars. In my region with nice moderate weather, but short seasons for growing superhots I have to start very early and accelerate growth. If not all I have is a bunch of green immature peppers, and a waste of time. I have to start early and greenhouse them so I can finish! Lol other veggies, sure but, the humidity domes definitely aid from drying out, and keeping heat on the soil during germination. Also keeps me from hovering so much! Hahaha
My seeds are being delivered tomorrow. Yah! I'm starting in pots directly outdoors (this will be their final destination...no re-potting). What type of soil should I use? I was going to buy just regular potting soil. Should I add vermiculite and perlite? Or get something else altogether?
As far as the luxury of buying stuff for gardening, yes, I bought a bunch of stuff for seed STARTING, but my garden itself, was mostly free! I garden in buckets, and totes, that normally would have been thrown in the trash! On my channel, I show how I even made my bottom watering system, and spent $0.00!!! My largest expense, has been getting the growing medium!
My seeds have sprouted in their trays I have been using a mister to keep the soil moist and as they grow, or at times I have been using a condiment bottle to water. Is this the correct way to water (from the top) or should I be putting water in the bottom of the tray which houses the cells of pots? I appreciate the guidance.
So when direct sowing things like celery and such, just sprinkle them on the row after a rain and let them go? If it rains two days after sprinkling the seeds on top of the dirt they'll be fine?
Your videos are really helpful!! :) Thank you! I'm starting seeds inside as I live in Canada zone 4-5, and want to have tomatoes, peppers, etc.... I am just wondering how often should I water them after the first leaves are out and I removed my moisture dome? Thank you :)
Hi Luke, if I stored my seeds in a plastic container over the winter on an enclosed, but not heated porch in zone 5, does this “pre-stratify” my seeds that require stratification? Temps ranged from -10 to 50 during those months.
I started new seeds from Bakers Creek, in a heated pole barn. I had grow lights and kepted the soil moist, watering every other day. Nothing happened. I know it wasn’t Bakers Creeks fault but mine. How much water do the seeds need to germinate?
I live in Indiana, zone 5b and this will be my first time starting seeds. I have been stressing over not being able to set up the perfect indoor seed starting station and now I am late to start seeds indoors. Therefore I was very excited to watch your video and learn that you don't have to start seeds indoors. It is mid April now and still too cold to start seeds directly in the garden. Can I start seeds outdoors now or is it too soon? Also, do i have to have a greenhouse? or would i plant in trays and have seeds outside during the day and bring them inside at night? Do you have to start in very small cell trays and then transplant to bigger trays or can seeds be started in bigger trays or mini pots? Please help by telling me what i need to do to start seeds outside!! Will I need to cover, or need a fan, or lighting? I'm very intimidated by this and would greatly appreciate your help!!
Also... I brought up stratification so I want to mention that if your sprouting sweet potatoes for slips... the potatoes need to be refridgerated for a week before you grow them for slips and bulb onions you want to avoid mimicking stratification unless you're intending to grow them for seed.
Luke, Some of my seedlings have aphids. I am cleaning those plants of bugs and eggs by hand or water. Can I spray 2'3" seedlings? With what? I've seen MANY suggestions but no gardeners seem to agree. Thanks!
@@dalegaa4094 don't give up! This year I put my sweet potatoes in a dollar tree wash bin filled half way with wetbpotting soil. I put the sweet potatoes half way covered with the soil and then put on a heat mat under lights. I add more water as needed. I'm starting to get slips already. Surprised how quick this year compared to last yearm
I bought your coconut coir but having a heck of a time getting it to absorb the water. It's been over 24 hours and still have big chunks that just won't absorb. What's the trick? I've never had this problem before.
Hey Luke, PLEASE HELP. I normally don't fertilize my seedlings or anything in my garden and don't know what to use????? I use manures or composts in my garden only. I started my brassicas in late February and live in Eastern Ohio in zone 5. They are up about 3" and have their true leaves and are turning yellow. I have beautiful LONG roots and they were transplanted from a 72 cell trays to large containers in mini greenhouses in my basement. They have lots of light, enough air to move them from fans and enough heat. They stay at 70° all the time. I've been gardening for over 30 years and haven't had this issue before. What NATURAL or ORGANIC fertilizer do I need to add to help my plants? I made my own seed starting mix because I have had bad luck with others. I added 1 bag worm castings, 1 bag perlight, 1 bag vermiculite and 1/2 bag coffee grounds from Starbucks to 1/4 bale peat moss and mixed it up in a small silver storage container. I'm thinking the plants are lacking salt. That's my guess. Any help from you would be much appreciated!
Very surprised watering wasn't on here. Sometime I feel like in drowning my plants other I feel like they dont have enough. They are alive and kicking still so I guess trust your judgement is also a thing as well.
Is there a good "multi-vitamin" brand or type of fertilizer you would recommend for a vegetable garden? I grow mostly tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, carrots and garlic. Thank you! 🙃
Hey if I might ask, while raking my soil getting ready to plant, I found a few grubs, (I hadn't even shoveled yet), last season it was a bigger problem. How can I kill them without toxic chemicals aa it's my cuc/squash garden. I have Neem oil, can try Nematodes if you suggest (didn't help last summer but I didn't stick with it) Thanks my friend
What steps would you recommend I take to get my raised bed ready? the mushroom compost I used to fill it has degraded and I need to add more soil for this year. What should soil/compost should I use? Should I add fertilizer to the soil before transplanting? I typically grow tomatoes, herbs and peppers for hot sauce.
I would just take a bail of compressed Peat Moss, and mix it into your raised beds, and then take just a little sprinkling of dolomitic lime over top and work that in.
It's amazing how many you tubers have shown how to make diy potting mix and dont mention dolomitic lime.. I'm surprised any of my seedlings germinated at all!! Im new at gardening and made my own mix based on several TH-cam channels..
They probably don't mention it because adding lime increases soil ph. It isn't used very often in seed starting mix. There are some instances where adding lime can be a huge benefit, but if your soil is already at a higher ph, adding lime can hurt or even kill plants. There are other soil amendments that can change ph as well, so it's a good idea to test the soil ph beforehand, and amend with what will bring your soil to your ideal ph (most people aim for a ph of 6.5), but most seed starting mixes don't have much in the way of nutrients, because a brand new seedling doesn't need it.
With regards to certain concerns such as seeds being harmed by the cold, or if they 'need' to be started indoors - I think people sometimes forget that plants have existed and thrived for thousands if not millions of years without human intervention.
Hi - Raised in Michigan, Live in Iowa. I am older, started last year at 59 years old with my first attempt at vegetable gardening. After working in IT for 45 years with all the stress, as well as the affects of covid my body broke down. I retired from the hustle and bustle of my old life and began an organic vegetable garden with two raised beds and a multitude of grow bags. I began the process of learning about what I was attempting via TH-cam and that is where I found you. I follow others as well but I seem to learn and retain more watching your channel. I had a head injury some years back causing some short-term memory issues and I don’t know why but your delivery process with information sticks in my head. I just want to thank you for your passion and service to all of us out here watching and learning.
Very well said
Yes, so many of us learning and relearning gardening in our later years. I love it!
Gardening is the best thing you can do for all your issues! I have some of the same and just being outside with the plants is healing.
I lived in West Des Moines and Ankeny and while the growing season is shorter, the soil is SUPERIOR!! Huge spinach crop that produced into June and I don’t think it ever bolted! Huge tomatoes. Everything just did so well and I didn’t have to put in much work year after year!
God bless and restore you!!
🙏❤️🙏💯
For surface sowing, it's an absolute necessity for seeds as small as tobacco or foxglove. What I like to do is cover them with a single ply tissue or toilet paper and mist it with my spray bottle. The paper will keep the seeds moist, and will break down by the time the seeds germinate.
I use my heated bathroom floor as a seed starting mat. Works great!
Just planted six milk jugs of tomato seeds kept from last year. Planted about one flat of green pepper seeds to grow inside and will put those under a growlight after they sprout. Trying a growlight on them because peppers take forever!. Zucchinni grow easily in milk jugs too. Need to start them too and some marigolds. Cucumbers we just get in the soil when it warms up. Good luck everyone! Gardening is so needed now. Best wishes to you Luke and Cindy on the best season ever!
So. I'm here to admit that I watch/binge-listen your episodes while I start seeds, all the way through harvesting...because your face is super cheerful & you have great, motivational content. Great advice, always!
I did not clear all my garden 2 years ago and had left my cherry tomato plants in all winter. Last year I had Cherry Tomatoes growing in that spot next to my jalapenos that I had planted there. We call the tomato plants "got aways." I left them as an experiment. They produced and were wonderful. Think of the plant in terms of nature and how they survive and reproduce. Sometimes we often overthink things and try too hard.
I have a raised bed that self sows, too! It’s cool!
I'm very glad to hear that indoor seed starting is not necessary. Everyone around me has been pushing me to find space to start indoors when I did perfectly find direct sowing EVERYTHING I wanted to grow last year. I may want to find space to do some indoors in the future, but until then, I'll let Mother Nature do her work.
Even peppers?!
I'm glad direct sowing works out so well for you. My garden is the exact opposite, where I can't direct sow anything without asking for trouble because of all the pests around here. I need to transplant just about everything, including carrots and beets, which I do in cardboard tubes.
@K-Vizonz! If you have the temp and zone . Peppers take longer in the garden for growing, which is mainly the reason people buy babies or start early
Thank you so much for your honesty! Very helpful for those of us who have a tendency to over think things. 👍😉
@MIgardener would love to see your take on green houses, if/when they are required and how best to construct. Get the feeling that you will be able to break a greenhouse discussion into its basics and help many of us. I’m keen to build a small greenhouse, but not sure I’m doing the right thing.
Went back a few years in your videos, you have definitely been passionate forever! Thanks for the lessons. I'm hoping to do better on my onions this year.
I seem to be able to start seeds just fine. It is growing them past about three inches that I seem to have trouble doing!
Couldn't agree more. I was panicking with imperfect seedlings before but then I saw very experienced grower who had the same problem as I did (Purple leaves, curled leaves etc) and they were not panicking like I did. As soon as they are transferred in the garden they pop back up and go very healthy so I think what we are worrying a lot about is not anything to worry about.
Same! I get the seeds to come up and now they don't seem to be growing. They don't have true leaves yet either. Am I just being impatient?
@@angiewassenberg2998 I have the same thing happening. It might be time to add a little liquid fertilizer.
Check your Species of seed. Find preferred temp range. Preferred lighting and preferred watering habit. Use low strength water soluble fertilizer approx 1-1-1 in small quantities to ensure nutrients for growth. Also make sure your soil starting mix is very light and moist and easy for roots to penetrate. I use peat moss and perlite and have had great germination and so far survival of peppers and tomatoes. Some of my jalapenos have been in approx 3 inch across 3 inch tall circular starting pots for 2-3 months and i cant wait the monster's they have become in to my garden in a couple weeks. Gonna go buy an insecticide today cause aphids are appearing on about 20 pepper plant starts I have in a terrarium and its so incredibly frustrating trying to smush and pick them off multiple times a day.
Happy growing.
Without knowing much more about your situation, if you are starting indoors, what you are describing could be what is called "damping off" which is caused by too much moisture and a fungal infection. Once you've got that there is nothing you can do. Best way to avoid that that is to ensure good air circulation and avoiding over-watering, which is a very common problem with people new to indoor growing.
As always, great information for gardeners of all skill levels.
Love all you do, Luke! You're videos inspire me and I really appreciate your passion and advice. ☺
So glad!
So I’m not saying you are wrong, but I now only start seedlings with potting soil and compost mixed together. I have never have had a problem. The reason why I do this, because I live in upstate NY, and some of my seedling need to stay indoors for 2 months.
Thanks for the "Don't have to start seeds indoors". That is one of my stresses every year. I don't have space nor grow lights etc for indoor starting.
I have been gardening for 3 years now, and after years of practice with Luke and others, I have now got down to a science. Heat mats and domes are only to help the seeds to sprout. After that, you don't need it.
Yes, they can definitely encourage mold I have found. After germination
I enjoyed and learned from every question that you answered. You confirmed some; added more understanding to others (referring to the answers you gave to each question). I'm in Zone 4; so starting seeds indoors and winter sowing in plastic jugs is a must. I also enjoy listening to you speak, because you are one that's not in the habit of saying "um" a lot of times. You're a great speaker! I appreciate you tremendously and appreciate your products. I'm going to look to see if you have a video on winter sowing with containers.
I love your pallet table,what a great idea!!
Glad you like it!
Thank you, Luke! Seeds arrived safely yesterday! I'm super excited for the broccoli rabe... I just struggle with spring flower brassicas with our quick warm ups! I hope it's not too late (I'm going to try anyway) 😁 Thanks for keeping it affordable for all of us! 🙏💚
I'm having decent success starting seeds outdoors in a cold frame and in a raised bed with a plastic cover. This year I got fancy and added a heat mat inside the cold frame for peppers, tomatoes, and snapdragons. So fun!
My seed starting improved dramatically when I started adding compost to the mix. Before that, everything wo
❤Thanks Luke. 😮we have been having pretty much warm days already in Central Florida, Sunshine ☀ State zone 9b. I am really waiting for fall or end of summer. 😢I can't fight the brutal sun☀ and heat 🔥 we get . My plants always suffer. Happy gardening everyone just the same.
Have you tried planting on the shady side or putting up a shade cloth?
Just never plant on the side facing south.
Love your channel! Bought seeds from MI-G this spring. New to seed starting, so really appreciated this episode. Thanks!
When starting a full tray of seedlings with heat mat and humidity cover some of the seeds germinate faster than others. I've been told to not keep the germinated plants on the heat mat or under cover once they germinate. But in the case of germinating peppers I'm told that they need the heat mat and humidity. How do you handle a tray of varying seed germination? Am I supposed to try to take out a fragile, freshly germinated pepper to repot so early so that all of the others can be returned to the heat mat and humidity? I love your channel.
Once you see some sprouting plants. Keep on the heat mat. Take off the Dome. Use some fan. Keep cells moist and eventually the other seeds will sprout up. Then remove the heat mat and keep under at least 12 hours of light with fan.
Works for me anyway.
I do a lot of pepper varieties
@@leightaft7763 thank you so much for your reply. That makes more sense to me than transplanting too soon. I'll do that.
I am so glad you said I didn't need to start indoors!!! I'm in Michigan, about 30 miles West of Port Huron. I believed I wouldn't have enough time to grow if I direct seeded. Thank you!!!!
Happy gardening!
Thank you for true information on planting. Now no more stress.
You are very welcome
Luke, I'm giving you a thumbs up in the first 5 seconds for your big smile!
Thank you, I just started this journey of planting and your videos are very helpful.
Best of luck! Thanks for watching!
????What do I add to put nutrition back in my garden before adding plants?
You have given me the confidence I can be successful even with mistakes along the way.
Yes I'm in Michigan so yes I am so proud of Luke😂I'm 58 and he started me garden about 4 years ago.
I agree about heat mats.
I grow strawberries from seeds. The germination rate without a heat mat or some way to really control temperatures is insanely low. Before heat mat, i might get 1 out of 100 to germinate. With heat mat, i get around 80%+. This is a case i absolutely will use them. Part of my issue is where i start my seeds is a little cool for strawberries. Its difficult to keep the temperature good. Everything else doesn't care.
I notice too that a heat mat accelerate germination in most other plants too. Ive tested seed germination time all out through my house and with without seed mats. Without seed mats i tend to see it takes a longer time to germinate. With seed mats many seeds will break ground within 3-7 days. Well ahead of schedule.
Its a total luxury in that regard. Just start earlier. But it allows me to pivot faster. So if something isn't working i didn't burn 2 weeks.
Good to know about strawberries. Got 3 out of 60 to germinate. Will move trays that did not germinate to heat mat today.
I already knew most of this but its ALWAYS good to get confirmation on your beliefs and ideas. THANK YOU!!! As always
Your loyal watcher\follower
I'm frankly too lazy to start my seeds indoors in trays (I've tried a couple of times with little to no success - maybe too frustrated is more accurate) plus I have no place to put the trays to germinate (wife says ABSOLUTELY NOT on the windowsill because of moisture) ... they get direct sown and if they come they come if not I buy plants to put in the garden.
Garden was turned over a couple of weeks ago and lettuce, chives, scallions and bok choy were planted (via direct sown seeds) yesterday. Hit 73 degrees yesterday and on average now in mid 50's with lows in the low to mid 40's.
Every fall I also add shredded leaves on top of the soil then let them rot over the winter and till them in in March.
Other option is to buy a cheap mini green house.
GREAT INFORMATION LUKE. YOU ANSWERED ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANKS. LOVE YALL ❤
Thanks for the video, very important one indeed as I struggled a lot in the past with starting seeds. Experienced grower think its easy but when you start gardening, ohhh my there is SO much information to learn, it can be very challenging the first year.
Thank you sir.
Thank you for mentioning the first set of leaves dying off, I thought I was doing something wrong with my broccoli and cauliflower when those leaves started to shrivel up when they had a few sets of true leaves! Phew, good to know that that's normal 😅
Honestly, I am one of those gardeners that (for a long time) didn't start seeds indoors and instead bought starts. (zone 7b) But after several years, it became painfully clear that starting seeds indoors for things like onions, tomatoes, and peppers was immensely cheaper than buying sets/starts. This year, I started (for example) 1 72-cell tray of Roma tomatoes, and every single seed germinated (Migardner seed, btw) After the first stage of up-potting (to 3" pots) I lost NONE to transplant shock. Needless to say, I am going to have my hands full with tomatoes this season and I am super excited about it. Had I purchased that many starts it would have cost me hundreds of dollars.
I bake my soil and then add peat moss and around half its content of perlite. Seems to be ok. Just wondering your thoughts?
You are excited and super excited
Love you content. Keeping it real, keeping it simple.
I appreciate that!
Do you pull your humidity domes off seedling trays and remove them from heat when you see the first one? Or do you wait to see a few more?! If anyone can answer this I'd be super grateful!
I microwaved a lot of soil this year. Maybe fifteen 10x20 trays worth. It was salvaged Potting soil from the year before, along with clay, aged Coco coir, and Peat moss(left outside uncovered in storage bins). I won't ever use Perlite though. Coco coir drains and dries fast, while Peatmoss retains moisture, and they are on opposite ends of the PH scale. So a mix of both is the best idea in my view. I can the use of plug trays, compared to 72 cell. They really help in a production environment especially if you aren't the only one doing the tedious transplant work.
Thank you for the info!! Refreshes my memory. ;-)
Can anyone who has a greenhouse and a similar situation give their expertise?
After three seasons of vegetable gardening in sandy clay and spending so much on amendments that did nothing, we invested in a greenhouse (32x24) and some raised beds last summer. Due to some health issues, we got everything up but didn’t get the cover on before it got too cold (needs to be 60+) and I am chomping at the bit. I still put some garlic in and they are doing pretty well In our Zone 5B.
Getting ready to add onions, spinach soon, etc. Early but the raised beds are showing warmer temp than soil.
I am concerned that we won’t be able to get the cover on until late April and I like to direct sow. It’s what I’ve done for decades all across the eastern U.S. Tried the grow light and I got spindly plants that died. I have too many porches so can’t do windowsills in this house.
We would like to provide for our small community.
Any expertise is greatly appreciated!
QUESTION. I have an unheated room with floor to really high up windows. I live in Montana. Our low temps are still single digits to 20s. So that room heats up to like 70 during the day but is like 40 or 50s at night. I just planted my onions in solo cups. My question is how low of Temps can my seed starts take. I'm thinking of putting a little heater in that room maybe at night. It's a pretty small room. Any advice would be greatly appreciated !!
I have some starts in my house but I have 2. 6 month old kittens that get into EVERYTHING . That's why I want to put my plants in my green room lol
I think you're fine within that range. You may concider frost blankets during the lows at night on your peppers to avoid stunting. I have huge swings in my greenhouse (22°F to 90°F) so I have to be especially careful to open windows for my cold weather crops and grow my peppers and onions in a window sill. I wait a little longer to start on my tomatoes until after it's no longer dropping bellow 34°F in the greenhouse. But 40°F to 70°F sounds perfect!
Thank you Luke to hear you don't have to start indoors because I don't have the space. What is the mix for seedling. Great video well put together 👍
From harbor freight they have a nice 4 inch storage bin. They interlock and hold many seeds. I have about 16
Another helpful video. Thank you.
When I transition my plants to the greenhouse where temps are down in the 20s at night and only 40s during the day, I use a heat mat and row covers to keep some ambient heat around the plants. Works well and don’t need to heat the greenhouse.
I start peppers and tomatoes and a lot of other plants inside and I've never used a heat mat. My ambient house temperature is just fine and conducive to grow all of those things
I've been looking to replace my fluorescent lights for LED lights to save some on the electric bill but a lot of the information that I have been looking at says the lights need to be one to two feet away from the plants or more I start my plants in racks and need to grow them pretty large because my growing season is short my question is what heat or power or wattage of LED lights should I get so that I can keep the lights closer to the plants
5500 lumens is good to use as grow lights. I don't remember who did a video explaining this. It's working great for me!
Video includes the following questions:
0:59 What's the best seed starting mix?
3:41 Should you fertilize your seedlings?
6:31 How deep should I be planting my seeds?
10:10 Is it bad to leave seeds stored in the cold?
12:04 Best Indoor Gardening Supplies?
15:27 Leave your questions in the comments
Upvote for visibility, happy gardening!
Can you show how you up pot the seedlings. Can you start with a bigger pot or is it best to start with the little trays? Thanks and love the videos!!
It just depends on what you have space for. Seeds started in larger pots do just fine, they typically just take up more room per plant than a flat or tray.
Pretty cool tables you got there. How did you attach the cinder blocks to the pallets?
Awesome presentation, and your kindly reassurance in much appreciated!
Thank you!
Do I pack the starter soil into tray, then poke holes for planting? If I don’t, then when I make hole for seed it packs and then I do not have much soil left.
I always enjoy your content. Thanks MIgardener!
Thank you!
So knowledgeable. Always learn so much. Ohio. Zone 6a. Starting red centflor and walls walls in milk jugs today. Plan on setting in garden pots ( 5 gal ) may 10-15th.
😍
Thank you Luke. I love your videos. My question is how to refresh my container or window box soil to reuse this year. What do I add? I think I really need a video for this. If there is a past one, please link me thank you! You have been so much help so far in my journey to learn.
I like to dump all my used soil into a big plastic container then mix together with whatever I want to add before refilling the original container with the now enriched soil. What plants are you planning to grow? Some plants want drainage (add perlite, ) some plants wants water retention (add peat moss) some want rich soil (add any soil rich in organic matter such as manures and compost).
Also clay from the ground is a good addition in small quantities for minerals I believe.
Question, I'm a little confused about not fertilizing when starting seeds. In a previous video this year about seed starting mix, you add a little Trifecta + and some worm castings. Are those considered something other than fertilizer?
I was searching and searching for care advice for my baby Patchouli and who did I come across but a familiar looking Luke from Larry's Orchids? I figured I could trust Luke from the past because he would go on to teach me a large portion of what I know about gardening here on TH-cam University! 😄
Please do a video on seed starting troubleshooting. Maybe one on specific seeds that are harder to grow. I have the basics down but sometimes I run into trouble like bugs have been an issue this year and even some dampening. Thx!
When should you start cucumber seeds indoors for zone 7a?
Ok, I question saying heat mats, aren't needed, and saying they're liars. In my region with nice moderate weather, but short seasons for growing superhots I have to start very early and accelerate growth. If not all I have is a bunch of green immature peppers, and a waste of time. I have to start early and greenhouse them so I can finish! Lol other veggies, sure but, the humidity domes definitely aid from drying out, and keeping heat on the soil during germination. Also keeps me from hovering so much! Hahaha
Great q&A's
My seeds are being delivered tomorrow. Yah! I'm starting in pots directly outdoors (this will be their final destination...no re-potting). What type of soil should I use? I was going to buy just regular potting soil. Should I add vermiculite and perlite? Or get something else altogether?
Another awesome video, Luke! Got my seeds from MIgardener the other day and I'm getting them planted up this weekend! Thanks for all you do!
As far as the luxury of buying stuff for gardening, yes, I bought a bunch of stuff for seed STARTING, but my garden itself, was mostly free! I garden in buckets, and totes, that normally would have been thrown in the trash! On my channel, I show how I even made my bottom watering system, and spent $0.00!!! My largest expense, has been getting the growing medium!
My seeds have sprouted in their trays I have been using a mister to keep the soil moist and as they grow, or at times I have been using a condiment bottle to water. Is this the correct way to water (from the top) or should I be putting water in the bottom of the tray which houses the cells of pots? I appreciate the guidance.
I'm down to 4' of snow on my garden. 😢 can't wait for it to be gone. Just sprouting seeds for germination.
I always have trouble knowing when to move to a bigger pot…have really been hit or miss on moving seedlings to a bigger container
So when direct sowing things like celery and such, just sprinkle them on the row after a rain and let them go? If it rains two days after sprinkling the seeds on top of the dirt they'll be fine?
Thanks Luke!
You bet!
So if I’m direct sowing my seeds in the garden, do I need to put seed starting mix right where I’m putting the seed?
How do you fix seedlings that were over watered? Can they be saved repotting in dryer potting mix?
That is exactly what I would try!
Thank you Luke, I’m starting seeds this week, this was so helpful. By the way, using my hoop house on raised bed to get them a good start.
Your videos are really helpful!! :) Thank you! I'm starting seeds inside as I live in Canada zone 4-5, and want to have tomatoes, peppers, etc.... I am just wondering how often should I water them after the first leaves are out and I removed my moisture dome? Thank you :)
Hi Luke, if I stored my seeds in a plastic container over the winter on an enclosed, but not heated porch in zone 5, does this “pre-stratify” my seeds that require stratification? Temps ranged from -10 to 50 during those months.
I started new seeds from Bakers Creek, in a heated pole barn. I had grow lights and kepted the soil moist, watering every other day. Nothing happened. I know it wasn’t Bakers Creeks fault but mine. How much water do the seeds need to germinate?
I live in Indiana, zone 5b and this will be my first time starting seeds. I have been stressing over not being able to set up the perfect indoor seed starting station and now I am late to start seeds indoors. Therefore I was very excited to watch your video and learn that you don't have to start seeds indoors. It is mid April now and still too cold to start seeds directly in the garden. Can I start seeds outdoors now or is it too soon? Also, do i have to have a greenhouse? or would i plant in trays and have seeds outside during the day and bring them inside at night? Do you have to start in very small cell trays and then transplant to bigger trays or can seeds be started in bigger trays or mini pots? Please help by telling me what i need to do to start seeds outside!! Will I need to cover, or need a fan, or lighting? I'm very intimidated by this and would greatly appreciate your help!!
should soil block starting mix also be soil-less?
My biggest question is about potting up and how to fertilize once the true leaves come in.
I appreciate all of your helpful information!
Hello, I'm so thankful to be a part of this community. My question is, is it necessary to soak seeds first before planting, or just for some?
I hear Luke say it is not necessary, but seeds like beans will help sprout faster. He does talk about it somewhere.
Also... I brought up stratification so I want to mention that if your sprouting sweet potatoes for slips... the potatoes need to be refridgerated for a week before you grow them for slips and bulb onions you want to avoid mimicking stratification unless you're intending to grow them for seed.
Luke, Some of my seedlings have aphids. I am cleaning those plants of bugs and eggs by hand or water. Can I spray 2'3" seedlings? With what? I've seen MANY suggestions but no gardeners seem to agree. Thanks!
So whats your advice for starting 40 year old seeds?
Trying to get slips from sweet potatoes, one potato has rotted. Will replace it and let the soil dry out some. You made it look so easy.
It really is that simple, some potatoes will rot, however, just keep trying, because eventually you will get it! It really is that simple.
@@MIgardener Thanks for the encouragement. I will keep trying.
@@dalegaa4094 don't give up! This year I put my sweet potatoes in a dollar tree wash bin filled half way with wetbpotting soil. I put the sweet potatoes half way covered with the soil and then put on a heat mat under lights. I add more water as needed. I'm starting to get slips already. Surprised how quick this year compared to last yearm
I bought your coconut coir but having a heck of a time getting it to absorb the water. It's been over 24 hours and still have big chunks that just won't absorb. What's the trick? I've never had this problem before.
Loved this video!
Hey Luke, PLEASE HELP. I normally don't fertilize my seedlings or anything in my garden and don't know what to use????? I use manures or composts in my garden only. I started my brassicas in late February and live in Eastern Ohio in zone 5. They are up about 3" and have their true leaves and are turning yellow. I have beautiful LONG roots and they were transplanted from a 72 cell trays to large containers in mini greenhouses in my basement. They have lots of light, enough air to move them from fans and enough heat. They stay at 70° all the time. I've been gardening for over 30 years and haven't had this issue before.
What NATURAL or ORGANIC fertilizer do I need to add to help my plants?
I made my own seed starting mix because I have had bad luck with others. I added 1 bag worm castings, 1 bag perlight, 1 bag vermiculite and 1/2 bag coffee grounds from Starbucks to 1/4 bale peat moss and mixed it up in a small silver storage container. I'm thinking the plants are lacking salt. That's my guess. Any help from you would be much appreciated!
Very surprised watering wasn't on here. Sometime I feel like in drowning my plants other I feel like they dont have enough. They are alive and kicking still so I guess trust your judgement is also a thing as well.
Re: seedlings getting their nutrition from the seed leaves: how does this work with monocots like say asparagus, yucca, etc?
Is there a good "multi-vitamin" brand or type of fertilizer you would recommend for a vegetable garden? I grow mostly tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, squash, lettuce, carrots and garlic. Thank you! 🙃
Hey if I might ask, while raking my soil getting ready to plant, I found a few grubs, (I hadn't even shoveled yet), last season it was a bigger problem. How can I kill them without toxic chemicals aa it's my cuc/squash garden. I have Neem oil, can try Nematodes if you suggest (didn't help last summer but I didn't stick with it) Thanks my friend
What steps would you recommend I take to get my raised bed ready? the mushroom compost I used to fill it has degraded and I need to add more soil for this year. What should soil/compost should I use? Should I add fertilizer to the soil before transplanting? I typically grow tomatoes, herbs and peppers for hot sauce.
I would just take a bail of compressed Peat Moss, and mix it into your raised beds, and then take just a little sprinkling of dolomitic lime over top and work that in.
Thanks Luke! Always so helpful. I’m ready to start gardening but it’s snowing. 😢
It's amazing how many you tubers have shown how to make diy potting mix and dont mention dolomitic lime.. I'm surprised any of my seedlings germinated at all!! Im new at gardening and made my own mix based on several TH-cam channels..
They probably don't mention it because adding lime increases soil ph. It isn't used very often in seed starting mix. There are some instances where adding lime can be a huge benefit, but if your soil is already at a higher ph, adding lime can hurt or even kill plants. There are other soil amendments that can change ph as well, so it's a good idea to test the soil ph beforehand, and amend with what will bring your soil to your ideal ph (most people aim for a ph of 6.5), but most seed starting mixes don't have much in the way of nutrients, because a brand new seedling doesn't need it.
1. Seed starting mix - 1:00
2. Fertilizer - 3:40
3. Depth - 6:30
4. Temperature - 10:10
5. Supplies - 12:04
Thanks for that!
What about a grow light? Do I need a grow light or will the light from the window be good enough? Do you have a video on lighting?
In addition I already have a shop light that is 4000k and 4600 lumens. Wondering if I need a stronger light for my seeds.
When you pot up and fertilize, what are you using?
We use trifecta fertilizer :)
With regards to certain concerns such as seeds being harmed by the cold, or if they 'need' to be started indoors - I think people sometimes forget that plants have existed and thrived for thousands if not millions of years without human intervention.