What did you do in the garden today?

[ShrekDawg]

If you don't use lights, then your seed starts will grow thin and leggy. At least that is what happened to me. Then the starts just died. So, if you can't set up some light system, then I am guessing your starts might not do well.

I tried to start plants in my south facing sliding deck window, but we don't get nearly enough daylight for the young plants to thrive. I needed to put my starts on a shelf under the lights before I ever had any success.

If you can't do shelves and lights, there might be a way to start plants, but I just don't know if it would be successful. I did not have any success until I really committed to the shelf and lights setup. But I live in northern Minnesota, so we don't have much daylight in the winter months. My starts needed those shop lights on about 12 hours per day.

The dirt will not fall out the slots in the net cups. And if you use good potting soil in the cups and bottom water them, the soil will soak up the water from the tray and feed the plants. Of course, I had my net cups in a 10X20 tray that held the water and later I used some storage bin covers that were stronger and held even more cups.

Although I built my starter shelf for free out of pallet wood and old shelving boards, I still ended up investing about $100 in lights, net cups, potting soil, a heater pad, and a timer. If I would have purchased all my starter plants at the nursery, I would have spent more than $100, so I consider my investment paid for itself in the first year alone. Other than buying new potting soil next year, I will be able to reuse everything else from this year.

Having said that, for many years, I just bought veggie 6-packs from the stores and transplanted them into my gardens. It's easy, and mostly it worked well for me. But this year our local stores did not have much of a variety of veggies in 6-packs and I was not willing to pay $5.00 per plant in the larger pots. So, it really worked out good for me that I started a lot of my own plants this year.

Thanks for all the info! It’s really helpful! My main issue is my little apartment thing just isn’t that big so no room for big shelves and stuff plus I just don’t really need that many plants. I’m going to try to cut back next year I think. Maybe. Maybe not. I could possibly try using the greenhouse if my brother doesn’t take it back but idk.

 

[ibeheather89]

The elephant ears may come back though, they’re pretty resilient.

The older shoots had to be cut off I tried babying them but they never recovered. But there are babies coming up so Im pretty thrilled that my week vacation didnt destroy them completely. My nightmare of a house sitter did nothing while we were gone. We were able to save our gardens flower and veggies.

 

[igorsMistress]

Very interesting and helpful! Thanks!! I might have to try that. I can’t do the shelves and grow lights and stuff though I don’t think. Also doesn’t the dirt fall out the sides or no?

You can do this in your greenhouse. The best way is to use a tray under the cups. Use coco coir and some perlite, roughly 50/50, as your starting medium and water the tray so the soil soaks up the water rather than watering from above. I use this mixture in my hydroponics and get very little soil down in the water reservoir.

 

[igorsMistress]

The older shoots had to be cut off I tried babying them but they never recovered. But there are babies coming up so Im pretty thrilled that my week vacation didnt destroy them completely. My nightmare of a house sitter did nothing while we were gone. We were able to save our gardens flower and veggies.

I’m glad you could save everything, including the elephant ears!

 

[ShrekDawg]

You can do this in your greenhouse. The best way is to use a tray under the cups. Use coco coir and some perlite, roughly 50/50, as your starting medium and water the tray so the soil soaks up the water rather than watering from above. I use this mixture in my hydroponics and get very little soil down in the water reservoir.

Thanks! That’s good to know! Very helpful

 

[Sally PB]

I can't leave the chickens

I say that when I have unintegrated chicks too. I have a good chicken sitter who doesn't have chickens of her own. She does the basic tasks reliably, but she wouldn't know what to look for in terms of trouble. I don't want to put more on her than necessary. She'd feel terrible if something happened on her watch.

 

[Sammster]

I say that when I have unintegrated chicks too. I have a good chicken sitter who doesn't have chickens of her own. She does the basic tasks reliably, but she wouldn't know what to look for in terms of trouble. I don't want to put more on her than necessary. She'd feel terrible if something happened on her watch.

Exactly. I have someone like this. Just there to make sure they get in at night, basically. I could maybe leave for 3 days. Not much worth it

 

[gtaus]

Thanks for all the info! It’s really helpful! My main issue is my little apartment thing just isn’t that big so no room for big shelves and stuff plus I just don’t really need that many plants. I’m going to try to cut back next year I think. Maybe. Maybe not. I could possibly try using the greenhouse if my brother doesn’t take it back but idk.

I understand limited space living in an apartment. Considering that, I will copy a post I made this past spring about using the clear Hefty Hi-Rise 72qt bins as a mini greenhouse. Bascially, you turn them upside down and drill in a few holes in the sides for ventilation.

I don't have a big greenhouse either, but the really nice thing about these Hefty mini greenhouses is that you can stack the bins vertically at night, and in the daytime put them out on a balcony and let them get some good daylight. I started out with just one of these "mini greenhouses" but now have 4 of them because I like them so much. Anyways, here is the post...

I have had great results using the Hefty Hi-Rise 72qt bins as a "mini greenhouse". If you did not wtach the YouTube video link, all you need to do is drill a small hole on one side about 2 inches off the bottom of the bin and another hole about 2 inch from the top of the rim of the bin on the other side. That will allow fresh air to come in from below on one side and the hot air to escape from the upper hole over on the other side.

Do not drill holes into the top of the bin, because if it rains outside, you will flood the lid holding your plants.

Of course, you can also just take the bin "greenhouse" part off and set the plants outside sitting on the lid itself. I do that if it's warm enough outside.

Again, for those who might need the YouTube link...

**Current price of those totes in now $14.00 at Target. That video is about 3 years old. I bought my first totes for $10.00 back then.

 

[Sally PB]

I have someone like this. Just there to make sure they get in at night, basically. I could maybe leave for 3 days. Not much worth it

We've gone away for a week with our neighbor sitting for us. She's very conscientious and reliable. We plan our vacations around the garden and when can Jamie chicken-sit?

 

[ShrekDawg]

I understand limited space living in an apartment. Considering that, I will copy a post I made this past spring about using the clear Hefty Hi-Rise 72qt bins as a mini greenhouse. Bascially, you turn them upside down and drill in a few holes in the sides for ventilation.

View attachment 3608063

I don't have a big greenhouse either, but the really nice thing about these Hefty mini greenhouses is that you can stack the bins vertically at night, and in the daytime put them out on a balcony and let them get some good daylight. I started out with just one of these "mini greenhouses" but now have 4 of them because I like them so much. Anyways, here is the post...

I have had great results using the Hefty Hi-Rise 72qt bins as a "mini greenhouse". If you did not wtach the YouTube video link, all you need to do is drill a small hole on one side about 2 inches off the bottom of the bin and another hole about 2 inch from the top of the rim of the bin on the other side. That will allow fresh air to come in from below on one side and the hot air to escape from the upper hole over on the other side.

Do not drill holes into the top of the bin, because if it rains outside, you will flood the lid holding your plants.

Of course, you can also just take the bin "greenhouse" part off and set the plants outside sitting on the lid itself. I do that if it's warm enough outside.

Again, for those who might need the YouTube link...

**Current price of those totes in now $14.00 at Target. That video is about 3 years old. I bought my first totes for $10.00 back then.

Thanks!!! Very helpful!!