Planting Seeds 2011

I have planted seeds before but have had very little luck getting healthy looking growth. They were always tall and lanky and didn't do well once in the garden. Then I met some really great people in a group on Birds and Blooms Website and that all changed!

Before, I just threw a bunch of seeds in a big container and put it in a window. Now I've got a neat setup down my basement with lights.

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Before, I just put soil right from the bag into the container. But I found out from my new friends that you need to mix the soil with water before hand, in a large container so it's moist all the way through before you using it.

They told me to plant the seeds and cover them with saran wrap. But I bought the Grower Starter Kit that comes with a clear plastic lid.

 Keep them moist with a spray bottle of water untill the plant emerges, then place under the lights. Make sure the lights are always 2 inches above the plants. I put my lights on chains that I can adjust the height. Also at this time I started watering them from the bottom, using a tray underneath.

The person that helped me the most,  her nickname is Wilderness, told me to make a solution of  water and listerene,  1 tsp.listerene to 1 pint of water,  to prevent  fungus. She says this is a big problem with new seedlings.  Spray them every other day with this solution and also put an oscillating fan on them for part of the day.
When they have a double set of leaves like the tomato plants in this picture......

it's time to transplant them into a larger container.  I used small butter containers, yogart containers and pop bottles cut off like in the picture above.  All of these ideas were given to me from my newfound friends on B & B!  Now, check on them daily, water as needed, spray  with vineager water,  give them lots of love and they finally end up looking like this........

I can't wait to plant them in the garden! Thanks to all my good friends on B & B!!!