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THE SEED-STARTING TRAIN KEEPS ON CHUGGING

April 26, 2017

This is the hardest part of growing plants from seed, if you ask me. I started my first seeds at the end of February and I was so into them. I tended them lovingly. I checked on them four times a day.

And now, well the relationship has changed. There are still plants to be started and hundreds to be tended. But there are far more pressing and exciting jobs to do in the actual garden. Frankly, I get a little sick of my seedlings by now because they are just so needy. Well not really, but they apparently want water, light and warmth.

I jest. A little. But I will admit that I don’t approach the care of my little baby plants with the same zeal that I did two months ago. Still, I’ve put a lot of effort into them so far. This is no time to shirk my responsibilities.

The tomatoes have grown about another four inches or more since I shot this photo.

Let’s start with the tomatoes. I never used to start my own tomatoes from seed but you can grow so many interesting varieties that you just can’t find if you buy plants. I planted 80 tomato seeds from eight varieties, two in each soil block, just in case one didn’t germinate. Guess what? I had 100% germination! After thinning, that means I have 40 tomato plants. In case you were wondering, I have room to grow about 10 tomato plants in total, and my mom is growing a few different varieties that I’d also like to try. All will find homes, but seriously, next year, someone tell me to control myself!

Anyway, the tomatoes are growing far better than any other year. I can’t explain why, but I did start feeding them about once a week with a very dilute fish fertilizer after I transplanted them to 4-inch pots. But the fact that they are growing so well is becoming a problem. It’s still too cold for them to be outside in the temporary greenhouse (nights are still cold here), but they have outgrown all my lights. I may have to start adjusting the height on my racks inside to accommodate them.

Nicotiana in the back with tiny Plectranthus in the front.
Peppers and eggplant under LED lights.

Everything else is growing well, although not as rapidly as the tomatoes. I’ve had two relative disasters: gomphrena (only two germinated out of 16; something I blame on not soaking the seeds long enough before sowing) and zinnias, which continue to be a thorn in my side. I plan on direct sowing zinnias later, but I like to start a few ahead as well, especially the Profusion zinnias that I like to use in containers. Only about four the Profusion seeds germinated in each of the two colors I planted. I’m really sad about that and I have no explanation for it.

Out in the greenhouse, the foxgloves, poppies and parsley are trucking away, seemingly not minding the cool nighttime temperatures.

And believe it or not, there are seeds yet to be sown. I wanted to start a few cucumbers and lettuce inside ahead this year, just to extend the season a little bit. I’ll direct sow each as well. I also went to get more decorative with my lettuce planting, which will be easier to do with plugs rather than seeds.

I did a quick Facebook live video Monday night after work where I sort of ran around the garden looking at seeds, so for the complete rundown of what’s happening in seedling land, check that out below (worst freeze frame ever; it’s like Facebook purposes picks horrible scenes).

How are you feeling about your seedlings now? Are you still as fired up as you were in late winter?

facebook seed starting seeds tomatoes
by Erin @ The Impatient Gardener 
4 Comments

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Comments

  1. LINDA from Each Little World says: April 26, 2017 at 8:34 pm

    OMG! I loved the video. How did you do that? We are having rain and a big drop in temps overnight; 35 degrees tomorrow. Who knows what that will do. Seems like I've been getting lots done if you don't notice all the leaves everywhere and piles of branches and dandelions.

    Reply
    • Erin Schanen says: May 2, 2017 at 5:40 am

      I'm a little embarrassed to admit that was done with a selfie stick, but it's the only real way to see things behind my head. It's weird though because it makes everything appear backwards so it doesn't even look like my yard to me.

      Reply
  2. Lisa Greenbow says: April 26, 2017 at 10:16 pm

    What fun to see AND hear you. I want to know how you did that too. I haven't planted any seeds so you are miles ahead of me. I hope all your little seedlings live and prosper.

    Reply
    • Erin Schanen says: May 2, 2017 at 5:40 am

      I hope so too, Lisa! Thanks!

      Reply

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The Impatient Gardener

Do you love gardening? Me too! I'm Erin and I garden in Southeastern Wisconsin, zone 5. The Impatient Gardener is all about real-life gardening: the good parts, the bad bits and even the funny stuff. It's part information, part inspiration and a little bit commiseration. Thanks for visiting.

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I got my new drone last night and had just enough battery power to quickly throw it up for a herky jerky first run. It’s nothing fancy and I wasn’t really trying to film anything in particular but thought you might enjoy the view, particularly of the climbing hydrangea, which is looking gorgeous.
Let’s take a closer look at a little corner of the garden just off the patio. It will be a couple weeks before it’s really coming into its own. Swipe for closeups and names of what’s all here. Somehow the dahlias I put here didn’t end up in any pictures, but I have a short orange dahlia called Melody Swing planted in here as well.
Why yes, that is Swiss chard growing right at the front of my patio bed with all the dahlias and nicotiana and other goodies. And, assuming I can fend off ambitious rabbits or other critters, I think it’s going to be really good. Stay tuned. 😀

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