Anyway, I started some a couple weeks ago and transplanted them into peat pots today. Here's some pics:
I love these styrofaom seed starters. I believe I got them from Parks Seeds. They're reusable & I usually get a pretty high germination rate. If a seed doesn't germinate, I just re-use the plug.
Then just take the plug & put it in a peat pot. (sold at lowes)
I use a basic potting mix.
You know those aren't my hands, manly plumber men are too stubborn to wear gloves.
I got the trays from Parks seeds. They're very versatile, they're big enough for the styrofaom seed starter and then hold about 18 medium peat pots.
Add water with a weak fertilizer and the peat pots with soak the water up from the bottom. That helps the roots grow down & deep.
And then back under the lights for a week or two. The ones up top are about 8 little broccoli that I had to re-seed because I burned them last week when I was trying to keep them warm. I put a heater a little too close!
I have had so-so luck with starting brassicas indoors, but they are great outdoors (one of the benefits of our cool springs, short MN summers, and cool falls, I guess!)Anyhow, I had some discussion with a local organic market gardener about starting brassicas. He suggested using a fan blowing on low across the tops of the seedlings so that the stalk will grow stronger. He also put a box full of rocks/water in front of the fan so that it wouldn't dry out the seedlings so fast. I haven't had a chance to try this out (will be as soon as we don't have 2 feet of snow sitting on the ground!), but this guy swears by it.
ReplyDeleteYour little broccoli plants look great. I'm definitely envious of your winter/early spring plantings. I will start peppers and tomatoes indoors next month, but won't be able to set them out in the garden until May!
Looking CG.
ReplyDeleteA tip for planting out brassicas.
You can remove the seed leaves(the first two to appear)and bury the plant right up to the first two true leaves. This helps with the stability of the plant and also develops a larger root system which in turn develops a healthier plant.
That was meant to be looking 'good' CG
ReplyDeleteOh, nice gloves btw.
You can tell I'm just a rookie.....I'm the only one using the word broccoli! Maybe next year I'll mature up to "brassicas". lol.
ReplyDeleteBTW, thanks for the tip Stew, when I plant them in the garden I'll bury them up a bit.
ReplyDeleteApril- Actually I do use a fan as well. Not just for the strength but to keep mold off the plants. It can get moldy here in FL.
ReplyDeleteThose broccoli look great and I like that foam seed tray you use. I'll be starting my broccoli during the second half of Feb. Nice light set up too!
ReplyDeleteI like them. With pasta. And cheese! Delicious!
ReplyDeleteHello Conservative Gradner,
ReplyDeleteNice blog, this is my first visit.
You remind me of my dad when he was in his fourties he used to plant different types such as: Tomatoo, green and red hot pepper, eggplant,cucombers, parsely, yellow corn, sunflower, and more.
When I was 10 years old I tried to plant cucomber and it did work but it died before it ripens...
Marsho
Hello Conservative Gardener
ReplyDeleteMy little one loves brocoli. I've convinced her that they are little trees, or perhaps she convinced me. I want to plant tomatoes,(not the manly ones...lol.), jalapenos, onions, bell peppers, and cilantro to make homemade salsa. How would I know when to plant all that stuff in UT? I'm useless. I am lucky my house plants survive. NAW
Dan- The foam trays & plugs cost a little....but I love 'em.
ReplyDeletexoxo- no,no,no....xtra butter & salt. That's it!
Marshmaoll....you know, I'm not sure how I feel about being compared to someone's dad! Like I'm some old farmer or something. lolol. just kidding.
Trish- are you the same NAW from NIW's site? I learned alot from google-ing any question I had. Like: when do i plant tomatoes in florida.... or utah or wherever you live.
Hello Conservative Gardener. Healthy looking Brocs.
ReplyDeleteWell done. As my wife and I are starting Brocs from seeds, I was wondering what your light set up is. It looks very much like ours - simple workshop housing, two T8 florescents maybe? Our plants are 3 1/2 weeks old and barely have their second leaves coming out.
What kind of lights do you use? How warm do you keep them?
Yay for gardening!
Hey Jason, You're right I just use $8 shop lights with Full Spectrum bulbs. I use a timer that turns them on about 6AM and then off about 9PM. That's it.
ReplyDeleteI am used to seeing liberal folks on gardening blogs. This is my first time here, and it is such a refreshing gardening blog. Keep up the good work!
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DeleteHe also put a box full of rocks/water in front of the fan so that it wouldn't dry out the seedlings so fast. haven't had a chance to try this out will be as soon as we don't have 2 feet of snow sitting on the ground, but this guy swears by it.
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