Comments on: How to Have Seed Starting Success

By: Fern

Fern — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 00:29:08 +0000

Rachel–I use tubes because they’re long, and a shop light uses two of them. They provide even light over a large area.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 15:48:19 +0000

You said that flourescent (sp?) tube lighting to give your plants the light that they need. Could I just use a compact flourescent light instead?

By: 3 Great Ways to Increase the Amount of Vegetables You Can Grow on a Balcony

3 Great Ways to Increase the Amount of Vegetables You Can Grow on a Balcony — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:44:29 +0000

[...] people start seeds indoors at the beginning of the growing season to get a head start while the weather is still too cold [...]

By: michelle deshon

michelle deshon — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:28:45 +0000

LOVE the Google Calendar Idea. Thanks for that. And for the greenhouse dome….. what about making a tent out of plastic wrap? I didn’t “fill” my small pots to the top, thus leaving air space and just lightly placed plastic wrap over the top to help keep warmth and moisture in. I am hoping that I didn’t do a bad thing?

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:37:47 +0000

Abigail–You don’t need an expensive lighting setup. You could get the bulb and socket for less than $20. That being said if your outdoor temps are between 65-75 during the day and you can protect your seedlings from pests and wind while still providing them with full sun, then you shouldn’t have a problem. Most people start seeds indoors to get a jump start on their season by starting their seeds before their outdoor temps are warm enough for seed germination.

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:32:46 +0000

Evangeline–If you’re just starting seeds and you dont want them to flower or fruit inside, you can use ordinary fluorescent bulbs. I use a 60 watt bulb (I think. I need to double check). I’ve even heard of people using a CFL if they’re just staring a few seedlings that can be closely huddled around the bulb.

By: Evangeline

Evangeline — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:21:26 +0000

Hi Fern,
I was trying to avoid florescent lights because I thought, hey, we live in sunny California. Who needs artificial light? But I’ve come to realize that my little seedlings just aren’t getting enough light. Do you have a suggestion on where to by lights? What kind do you use? Thanks for the informative post!

By: Abigail

Abigail — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:53:35 +0000

I am so glad you posted this article!!
Do you know if I could start the seedlings in their covered tray outside instead of inside? I don’t have any space in my apartment for them (it’s quite cramped, believe me!!) Plus, I don’t have the money to get a fluorescent light bulb rig. It’s pretty warm outside during the days, and I could bring them in at night and put them on the kitchen table…
Would this work, or would it be a waste of efforts? Otherwise, I’m just going to have to plant everything directly outside after the frost date.
Thanks!

By: Mary C.

Mary C. — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:44:55 +0000

Thanks for the tip Fern!

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:33:19 +0000

Mary–Actually, we do have a last frost date, Long Beach included. It’s the middle of February. There are usually a few nights in December and January that dip down pretty close to freezing, if not actually freezing, that will kill any tender plants.

That being said, even though you could put a tomato plant outside in March in So Cal and probably be safe, it won’t grow very fast. The daily high temperature is rarely over 70 and it is overcast right through June (i.e. the June gloom that everyone seems to be surprised about every year). So I use our last frost date as the day I start my warm weather seeds. By the time I put them outside near the beginning of April, things have warmed enough to make it worth my while.