A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Planting from seeds, tips, advice, anything?

My garden is a mess and I'm broke so I was thinking of buying some seed packets as they are much cheaper than buying plants. My idea is to start them indoors then transplant later. I know I've heard of using egg cartons as seed starters. Has anyone done this? Good idea? Bad idea? Too small? I've never grown completely from scratch before and I don't want to go another year being depressed that my garden looks like crap just because I'm tight on money. Thanks so much!

alot of people start seeds like that, eagg carton just seems too small to me, you'd have to up the size as soon as it sprouted

I'm just a beginner, but we had great success with starting seeds in cups or in the ground, depending on the plant. I begged and traded for a lot, too. I went to every free garden event I could find, and they often gave out free seeds. Are there local garden clubs or organizations that might have events near you? We have a Master Gardener program with a beautiful set up and they do some nice events. We also have a Native Plant Society and lots of plant-specific clubs. They require membership to join, but they have a few events open to the public where I got some free seeds and plants last year.

Do you have an active Craigslist or Freecycle community in your area? Those can be great resources for free seeds/plants/equipment, too.

I also remember seeing photos from my farmer girlfriend last year starting seeds in plastic milk containers. I'll see if I can find the picture and download it here. Or maybe it's fast to do an internet search:

Ok I just searched this on Yahoo "start seeds in plastic milk container" and got tons of results for starting seeds in recycled containers of all kinds...

Good luck and have fun!
~Beth~

I use cups too, cheap ones from the dollar store work good, poke a hole in the bottom, I use the 8.5 oz size, seems to be a good size and carries over til time to move to the yard. I have pretty much stared all my plants from seeds, or dug up off empty lots

Thanks so much for the ideas. Going to google right now!

I started all my plants from seeds last year and used oragami newspaper boxes. Then I planted them directly into the ground. You can find how to make the boxes on-line. I am lucky enough to have indoor lighting which I know helps. But I followed Jerry Baker's plan, plant the seeds using moist soil and mist with a solution of 2 cups water mixed with 1 drop whiskey, 2 drops liquid soap, and 2 drops amonia. Cover with a damp towel that has been damped with above "tea" mixture. Check every day, rinsing the towel and then dampening again with the tea solution. After 4 days move to a sunny window or put under lights, keeping the light only 1-2 inches away from the containers, moving the light away from the light as the plants grow. Having the light far away from seedlings is what makes them spindly. If you have them in a window turn them often so they will grow straight. I may have given you more information than you need, just letting you know how I did it!
Happy growing

Well that makes for happy plants I guess, just one question, what do you do with the extra whiskey lol

Are you supposed to have extra?

lol, maybe not, I guess the extra makes for a happy gardener

With suzy around , there is no extras.......... Gotcha girlie

lol but we're all happy, that's what counts

Beth, thank you do much for the freecycle recommendation. I've never heard of it before and thanks to you I'm picking up some free veggie seeds tomorrow. Now, where to plant them....

Yay! I'm glad you got some seeds. Freecycle Rocks! ~Beth~

Chermoni

Please pm your address a..I can send you some seeds to start a new bed of flowers. Free

dodge

I've had good luck starting veggies indoors, not great with flowers, but wildflower mixes and zinnias, sunflowers, etc. direct sown tend to work great. Suzydaze, in case of extra whiskey, I'm running low...not to beg or anything, lol!

Watch that suzie , she likes a good party........

When the moonshines, so does she..LOL

lmao okay now, I ask you two to come. why do you think i use paper cups