seeds vs starts....

[lazy gardener]

i usually have to plant and replant.....stinking crows...i live next to big commercial grain silos so i usually don't have predator problems racoon etc they are always over there looking for a free meal trucks always spill loading and unloading.rats mice etc.. plus side every other spring they clean them out and dump literally tons of corn,wheat etc on the ground about 500 ft from my house..i wish i could grow corn i have a pretty good grade to my whole property and clay so when it rains the corn like to fall over it never fails it does it when it is about 4 or 5 ft tall...

Have you tried putting a very thin layer of straw over the ground after planting. I do when I plant corn, and it disguises the sprouting seeds enough that the crows aren't attracted to it. May be different in your situation with a high density of crows. Got a gun? (kind of just kidding, b/c with a lot of crows, i don't think you'd make much of a dent in the population, and, IMO, i'd just as soon not shoot birds.) Also, When you've planted corn, have you hilled it after it gets going?? That should prevent it from lodging.

 

[misbhaven]

we have tried everything.. i still have some seed left so i think i am going to try instead of neat rows just planting a big square rather densley with corn..firecracker work well for the crows or bottle rockets get the whole flock to relocate

 

[pinusresinosa]

Where do you find petunia seeds... (600 for $3)????? all I ever see is the pelleted seeds, a ridiculous number... like 10 in a package for $3. I will NOT pay for pelleted seeds. But, if you see a lady bent over a window box... or other planting of petunias (or other beautiful flower) in a very puplic place, pinching seed pods and wrapping them in a napkin, that's probably me! I have no shame! Thankfully, my husband is tolerant of my eccentricity... if not sometimes embarrassed! What do you plant in your milk jugs... under the snow and Junco? Yes, seeds are awesome! The power that is packed in a tiny little lettuce seed never ceases to amaze me!!

HEH! I never buy pelleted seeds either. One of my favorite places to buy seeds is sampleseedshop, love the owner and love her seeds. She sells some pelleted seed, but most of her petunia selection is from her own garden, and you get lots in packets from her. Cheap seed stand seeds will have non-pelleted seed too here in a bit. I too, collect my own. Petunias just load up with seed, no reason ever unless you're starting from scratch or want a specific type to have to buy starts.

The milk jugs- Google winter sowing, or check out wintersown.org, or winter sowing on gardenweb.

If you're a nutty gardener like it sounds like you are, you'll be happy I pointed you that direction. I took this photo last year with the junco. I highly recommend Junco Brand manure in your wintersowing containers if you can get it.

 

[boskelli1571]

I like to get most of my seeds from Pinetreee seeds - www.superseeds.com they sell smaller amounts for the regular gardener and the quality is very good. I have rarely had a crop failure because of the seeds. Sue

 

[misbhaven]

I like to get most of my seeds from Pinetreee seeds - www.superseeds.com they sell smaller amounts for the regular gardener and the quality is very good. I have rarely had a crop failure because of the seeds. Sue

i went there might have to order some seeds......i am a seed addict i always seem to have a lot left over every yr but they always sprout i store them in cool dark place .

 

[jenniemig]

Normally I buy plants from my local hardware stores or nursery. This year tomatoes are almost $5 per plant, and very sad looking. So, this will be my first year starting tomatoes, peppers, and all of my herbs from seeds. I have an old platic shelving unit and a clear shower curtain for my makeshift greenhouse. It aint pretty, but it'll have to do. Hopefully I'm not too late starting with seeds. Normally I have everything planted by the last weekend in February.

 

[pinusresinosa]

Normally I buy plants from my local hardware stores or nursery. This year tomatoes are almost $5 per plant, and very sad looking. So, this will be my first year starting tomatoes, peppers, and all of my herbs from seeds. I have an old platic shelving unit and a clear shower curtain for my makeshift greenhouse. It aint pretty, but it'll have to do. Hopefully I'm not too late starting with seeds. Normally I have everything planted by the last weekend in February.

You'll love starting from seed, and it's definitely not too late- at least here. Still too early up north to start seeds like tomatoes and peppers (unless you have a really big and bright place to grow them on for an extended amount of time). Your greenhouse idea sounds perfect!

 

[jenniemig]

You'll love starting from seed, and it's definitely not too late- at least here. Still too early up north to start seeds like tomatoes and peppers (unless you have a really big and bright place to grow them on for an extended amount of time). Your greenhouse idea sounds perfect!

Thanks pinusresinosa, I'm starting them this evening. It is perfect weather here, 81 and sunny today I may not need that makeshift green house after all.

 

[pinusresinosa]

81 huh. That's about um, 70 degrees warmer than where I am today.

 

[misbhaven]

Thanks pinusresinosa, I'm starting them this evening. It is perfect weather here, 81 and sunny today I may not need that makeshift green house after all.

it was a high of 18 here today with windchill of -5 tonight..enough of these stupid cold fronts for the last 3 weeks. it is usually 30 or so..my checkbook is not liking my gas bills