In terms of vegetables that is. I am looking to put in a small vegetable garden and I would like to know what y'alls opinions are. Seeds or Seedlings? Pros and cons of either? The seedlings are obviously more expensive, but I don't know what the great advantage is to using seedlings over seeds...
Seedlings grow quicker and should not be expensive at all... We winter sowed seeds which makes better plants, but they take a little longer to come up..
Another way to get a seed to sprout faster is to put a few in between a few paper towels and keep the paper towel wet. In a matter of a few days, maybe one week you'll have sprouted seeds.
My son brought home a school project, was given some potting soil, a plastic cup and 3 seeds, beans I believe? He planted 2 and I used 1, just and only 1 of them in the above method. Mine came up in 4 days, his never did. He got 3 more seeds from his teacher, I again took 2 this time, or rather he did this time, and used the above method and again, what was put in the paper towels came up first and much quicker. What was in the dirt, never did grow.
Another method is to have a plant or plants already, or when you do get them, you can also get yourself some rooting powder and take a leaf or sample of whatever, making sure to leave a strip of the original plants outer skin if you will on that sample, and dip it in water, then dip it into the rooting powder, then put it in potting soil being sure it gets proper water and sun.
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
well.....i'd choose seeds, sow a bunch, not just what you want to sprout, then thin them out a few days after they sprout, keeping the strongest ones. Glockmiesters method works well too.
I guesse if you live in an area of temp extremes, then seedlings might be easier.
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gun owner or victim??? decisions, decisions!
I like all the suggestions. It's not extreme (well... to me anyways) but it sure does vary the temp. For instance, right now it's 74 outside, this afternoon 100+. I just don't like the idea of paying $1.99+ for ONE seedling versus buying a seed packet for $0.30. I think I'll try out GMs suggestion.
We seem to have good luck with seedlings kept a bit indoor and outdoor
to acclimatize then put into the soil. As many of you know we can really have some spring/early summer weather swings.
Trust me, put about 3-5 seeds in a paper towel, fold them up in it, and soak it and keep it wet. Look in it about 5 days after first soaking. Some might not sprout at all, they'll just turn black. While others will have big, huge sprouts, in anywhere from 3-7 days that is, and the ones that sprouted take and put in potting soil and keep watered, obviously right. lol Use fertilizer only after it the plant has taken root in the potting soil real good, that is unless you want organic plants,veggies whatever? You know, NO pesticides or fertilizers etc.etc.etc...
Good luck and let me know how you like that idea for sprouting??? Also, the rooting powder is a great short cut to getting more plants, and much, much quicker...
__________________ "My next door neighbors two dogs have created more shovel ready jobs then Obama has." - Gary Johnson
Last edited by GlockMeister; 07-09-2008 at 03:52 PM.
It's timing to have the seeds turning into seedlings by the time you plant. I wipe tomato seeds off the cutting board with paper towels let dry or keep wet to start out.
I've used small tomato plants for planting for many years. The cost is a little high...but I don't want to mess with starting them with seeds.
However, during my college years I worked in a greenhouse and we had much success with seeds. We mixed our own potting soil (sterilized to kill all bacteria and germs with steam heat) and mixed it with varmiculite and starting fertilizer. Then we sprinkled tiny seeds on top, kept it moist continuouly, and in a darkened environment till they sprouted. Within a few days sprouts showed up. When they were about 1-2" tall they were meticulously separated by hand and each one was carefully inserted in a 2" dia. peat starting pot. Those pots were put in 12" x 14" flats and put back on benches to allow them to grow bigger. When they were double that size they were again transplanted into larger peat pots, of course adding additional sterilized soil, etc. Depending upon the plant (geraniums, carnations, easter lillies, or a big variety of garden vegetable plants.) We sold them at different stages depending upon customer wants and needs.
To do a similar thing at one's home a person should be able to buy varied sizes of peat pots, potting soil, varmiculite, and starting fertilizer at most greenhouses or landscape nurseries. Keeping the seeds and seedlings wet is a big key to success doing this procedure. And...developing a very light touch with your fingers as you separate those tiny seedlings apart each time you transplant.
I just started tomatoes from seed and from the cutting board. The cutting board tomatoes came up first. Use Starter soil made from peat moss and pearl lite, they will sprout faster and be bigger. Mel's Mix of 1/3 compost and mushroom compost, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 vermiculite for advancing sprouts on up. That stuff is soilzilla.
