What did you do in the garden today?

[BReeder!]

Anybody else see these "SuperSeed" trays? I found them at several stores just recently. I have bought not any though. In store they are $8-$12 (cheaper than $15 on Burpee's site). They seem very sturdy and like they would hold up for many years, not like the very cheap plastic most starter cells are made of. The silicon bottoms allow the gardener to gently press the starts out of the cells too and then pop right back into place for the next use (I've cracked many cheap starters this way. The biggest draw for me is the reusability. I currently reuse what I can, but still find that cheap starters crack very easily and I typically have to buy more. I was saved so far this year only because I have leftover recycled paper starter trays from last year. I'm thinking about buying a few of these each year and gradually phasing out the old stuff. Does anybody have experience with them yet?

 

[Boppo]

Well, I do that, too (though not in the same numbers!). But I have trouble with space and access to grow lights. I am in New England, and our sunlight hours start increasing here in January, but it starts from like 8 hours of sun a day.... pretty durn dark in the winter!

 

[Boppo]

BReeder, those trays with lids and larger drain slots are really good, but you can get them from cheaper places. I think I got mine from Gardeners Supply. Same kind of design, but all black trays with clear lids that click into place, and heavy plastic so it really is reusable, and you don't have to worry so much about picking it up, either.

 

[Boppo]

Wthr Lady, I am with you! Where are you located? somewhere colder than I am, I guess. It's so hard to wait, isn't it?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Good morning gardeners and welcome to the thread @Boppo. We only got about 2 inches of snow this time. Just enough to give some traction over the layer of ice on the ground. I was nearly estactic yesterday when I was able to open the rear gate in my backyard. I can actually walk to the garden gate now. Whoo hoo! The ice is receding finally. We actually had enough melting in the chicken yard on Saturday that the girls were able to wander about and find grass to nibble. It's cold today and tomorrow but warming up again on Wednesday so perhaps this ice cap will finally go away. I'm still suffering from sticker shock for any and everything. I was going to purchase more hoops for another raised bed but the price is $10 more than last year. I'll stick with the set I have for now. The bed I made a partial frame to hang a plastic cover 2 seasons ago will get an upgrade and that will be my extra garden bed for early starts. I've ordered all my seeds and am waiting for the last order to ship, but I am finished with that. I really think I will just do the direct seeding this year. What I have grown this way in the past always seems to do better. I am going a head with my plans to expand the chicken yard and ordered some bird netting from Amazon to help with the airborne predators. I'm hoping to re-integrate my rooster with the ladies so everyone is happy. I'm curious to learn how well those starter pods work for you @BReeder! Yesterday DD and I celebrated "Gal-entines Day" with a trip to a botanical garden and lunch at Olive Garden. This is such a pleasant thing to do when pretty much everything outdoors is encased in ice and snow. The garden was having an orchid show. OMG! Warm and spectacular. I just had to sneak in a couple of Camellias. Have a great day.

 

[WthrLady]

Anybody else see these "SuperSeed" trays? I found them at several stores just recently. I have bought not any though. In store they are $8-$12 (cheaper than $15 on Burpee's site). They seem very sturdy and like they would hold up for many years, not like the very cheap plastic most starter cells are made of. The silicon bottoms allow the gardener to gently press the starts out of the cells too and then pop right back into place for the next use (I've cracked many cheap starters this way. The biggest draw for me is the reusability. I currently reuse what I can, but still find that cheap starters crack very easily and I typically have to buy more. I was saved so far this year only because I have leftover recycled paper starter trays from last year. I'm thinking about buying a few of these each year and gradually phasing out the old stuff. Does anybody have experience with them yet?

View attachment 2993616View attachment 2993617

THey sold them at Tractor Supply last year. They had piles of them left at the end of season, all through the winter in the clearance center, and finally got rid of them. You'd just have to make sure you cleaned them well to avoid spores and diseases from season to season.
I use the cells as I resell. Actually for tomatoes I just use solo cups. One and done.

 

[WthrLady]

Wthr Lady, I am with you! Where are you located? somewhere colder than I am, I guess. It's so hard to wait, isn't it?

Nope, but I am over a 1800 acre lake, so we stay cooler for longer, and can get frost until May 10/11th, and soil take a while to warm. A slight breeze across a cold or frozen lake can also carry cold air and destroy a garden.
West Oak Nebraska

 

[BReeder!]

Good morning gardeners and welcome to the thread @Boppo. We only got about 2 inches of snow this time. Just enough to give some traction over the layer of ice on the ground. I was nearly estactic yesterday when I was able to open the rear gate in my backyard. I can actually walk to the garden gate now. Whoo hoo! The ice is receding finally. We actually had enough melting in the chicken yard on Saturday that the girls were able to wander about and find grass to nibble. It's cold today and tomorrow but warming up again on Wednesday so perhaps this ice cap will finally go away. I'm still suffering from sticker shock for any and everything. I was going to purchase more hoops for another raised bed but the price is $10 more than last year. I'll stick with the set I have for now. The bed I made a partial frame to hang a plastic cover 2 seasons ago will get an upgrade and that will be my extra garden bed for early starts. I've ordered all my seeds and am waiting for the last order to ship, but I am finished with that. I really think I will just do the direct seeding this year. What I have grown this way in the past always seems to do better. I am going a head with my plans to expand the chicken yard and ordered some bird netting from Amazon to help with the airborne predators. I'm hoping to re-integrate my rooster with the ladies so everyone is happy. I'm curious to learn how well those starter pods work for you @BReeder! Yesterday DD and I celebrated "Gal-entines Day" with a trip to a botanical garden and lunch at Olive Garden. This is such a pleasant thing to do when pretty much everything outdoors is encased in ice and snow. The garden was having an orchid show. OMG! Warm and spectacular. I just had to sneak in a couple of Camellias. Have a great day.
View attachment 2993633View attachment 2993637View attachment 2993638View attachment 2993639View attachment 2993637View attachment 2993640View attachment 2993638View attachment 2993643View attachment 2993641

Is that first pic your yard? I love the huge patio area with the two pergolas. That must be a great space in the warmer months for gatherings.

 

[Boppo]

Oh, We Farmer Sarah, thank you for the hit of color and plant life!

 

[Boppo]

Wthr Lady, I too have used Solo cups as plant pots. I ran out and am now using the really thin plant pots I got by the hundreds. they are not as tall, but exactly same diameter. I guess it depends on how your plants want to grow their roots. Lake effect weather! Whoa. And a very beautiful yard, as BReeder says.