Bouncing Baby Brassicas!

And on the fifth day after sowing, the brassicas sprouted!

After being sown on Saturday, the first baby cabbage sprouted on Thursday, five days later!  Today, the cabbage and broccoli are popping up all over!

As I wrote previously I've made several changes to the seed starting operation this year and, so far, they seem to be working.  I really like the new seed-starting mix (no longer using a commercially prepared mix), but the biggest change this year is the addition of temperature control.

Bunches of babies by day seven!

In years past, I've been fortunate enough to enjoy a decent germination rate, but the plants have been very, very slow to mature to transplantable size.  This year--especially with the extreme cold--I knew I had to try to warm up the greenhouse earlier.  I considered seed mats, but, after much "ciphering" I decided it would be more cost-effective to try to heat my tiny greenhouse.  Again, after many computational gymnastics, I decided to pilot my project with an inexpensive heater fan (with an adjustable thermostat) purchased when they first hit the shelves last fall.  The fan now sits on the bottom shelf of

Convection seems to be working!

the greenhouse, relying on the magic of convection to warm the top shelf.

It's been a wickedly cold winter (0 and -1 lows on several mornings), but the greenhouse has maintained the targeted temperature range for brassicas of 50-60 degrees even on nights when temperatures dropped into the teens.

Jim likes violas and I like johnny-jump-ups, so I started a mixed flat of those today to plant on the shady, cool north wall.  I also started some onions in squared

Let's see how the onions like this arrangement!

toilet paper rolls so they will not be disturbed by transplanting.

All of these are cool-weather plants, and I hope that they will be ready to move to the unheated cart before it's time to start the warm-temperature plants.  I plan to target the 60-70 degree range for tomatoes, and the 70-80 degree range for peppers.

But, in the meantime, I'll continue watching those bouncing baby brassicas!

What's growing in your Savory garden?

Nancy

A Frugal Gardener: DIY Cardboard Seed Starting Pots

Round pegs in a square box.

Are you looking for ways to repurpose household disposables?

Several years ago, I tried using bathroom tissue rolls to start plants.  It was successful, but not ideal.  A great deal of space was wasted trying to fit round rolls in a rectangular box.

Since then, I've searched for some way to utilize the rolls.  I was at a loss until I flattened one of the roll for ease of storage.

Eureka!

How do you magically
create a square from a circle?

I realized if I flattened the roll at 90 degree angles, the roll would form a square.

A few snips and . . .

At each corner cut on the fold about 3/4".  Cut the center of one flap about 1/2".

Fold opposite flaps inward, the cut flap on top.  Slide the opposite flap into the cut to lock in place.

Flip over and fill with potting soil.  Fit into a cardboard box, shoe box, or plastic box/tray.

NOTE:  It's important to fill each cell to the top with soil since the cardboard wicks moisture away from the soil, much like coir pots.  Keep moist.

Plant your favorite seed, then keep in a warm place with abundant sunshine or fluorescent lighting.

Just a few folds . . .

When ready to transplant, move the plant cardboard and all.

Inexpensive, biodegradable!

What seeds have you already started for your Savory garden?

Nancy