A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Food Garden Forum Vegetable Gardening Starting seeds indoors.

Well, we are still in minus -20 temps at times not to mention knee to waist deep snow. This winter does not want to quit, but hey, it's spring so I take delight in starting my seeds indoors. Think we will need a head start since the ground will probably be frozen into May. Only problem is, the seedlings always get leggy. Is there anyway I can prevent that?

Thank you Gardener'ss Forum for that ticker countdown, I just love it, can't wait till summer.

They need to be put in a southern window for more sun light.. Or add grow lights to help them.
Any ways if you have leggy tomatoes, at outdoors planting time, just bury the long stems an it will grow just as well. Lay it down an cover the long stem an let the tops out.
Works it will root everywhere.

My tomato seedlings haven't popped out yet, but some flowers I planted the other day only took 2-3 days to germinate and they are already up and a half inch tall. Think I planted those way too early? They are called bachelor's button or something like that. Maybe they shouldn't have been started indoors, but nothing like getting a head start. I have my little greenhouse in a south window on top of the kitchen counter. It's my only south window. I have to laugh, I usually lose 3/4's of it by planting time, but I get a real kick out of trying.

Daisy, keep trying.
We all loose a few an gain a few.
Its a new awaking for us in the spring.. Rebirth. Bless your efforts.
I have one dahlia germinating on the register.3 days

Thanks Dodge, Hmm..on the register, I will have to try that one?. With my seedlings, I have the light over my sink on until about 12 to 1 am. Since I want them to get use to the lighting, when it's dark outside, I cover them so it will be a little like natural phases of day and night. Now I need to find the fan to mimic the wind...lol.

I use the plastic trays with a lid on top that we get pies an cakes in . It keeps moisture on the seeds.

GOod luck .. Save those mini green houses for seeds..

Today I have 2 Red dahlias up.. yay..........Kind of like going to ceramics Carol. YAY

Good for you, Barb...I dont want to start my seeds indoors so I will wait until the middle of April or so, well perhaps a bit later, we shall see...

I am glad that it makes you so happy though....

I've got to get my tomatoes, cukes, and squash started. I've got beets, spinach, carrots, green peas already up. Also butter crunch lettuce. The lettuce and carrots are ready to pick and eat.

It must be wonderful living in the south, Sheri...Good for you !!!

It is. I wonder all winter long why you guys want to live in the snow and cold.

I just read that sprinkling cinnamon on top of the dirt will keep seedlings from dampening off. Heard that?

No I had not..but that is sure easy enough done--I will have to research that. Thanks for the tip.

I read somewhere,It works on orchids to kill fungus in the roots.. Start seeds?
Mine are germinating on the register.. Red dahlia seeds an now tomatoes are starting.Yippee

I have used the cinnamon for several years. I haven't had any damping off issues since I began it.

Great ! Good to hear, Tina--thanks. So one just sprinkles the cinnamon on top of the soil ???

I think so Juniegirl. I'm going to try it.

let us know, how it goes, Sheri !

My seedlings are all doing great, but my geraniuims are not, or I don't think they are? They don't look good. Over the last week they developed a dusty look on the leaves, not the vibrant look they had a week before. Hope it isn't some kind of fungus or something? Last year I lost all my tomatoes, I will not lose them this year? Geesh, first fruitflies, now this? Why won't this winter quit so I can get them outside. Here it is the end of March and we are still getting snow storms. Well, we did hit a few record lows this year, too bad they weren't high's.


Dodge, wish I could put mine on registers but I have wall registers. Do you have a lot of lighting in your room? My only sunny spot is the kitchen. I don't have a lot of places with good lighting to put my little seed babies in.

Hi Daisy,
Mine are floor registers.
Do you have any lamps for growing them ? I didn't put mine up yet.
Of course we had snow today, and 31 degrees .. We full of hate for the long long winter also.
Not sure what to spray on the geraniums.. White fly is common here too.
yes outside usually takes care of that.

I have no idea why we are here. As far as I am concerned, the whole middle of the country should be empty !!! But seriouisly I remain because my famil and kids are close..otherwise I would be somehere warm for sure...

Daisy: about the white powder on the geraniums. it could be caused by excessive moisture or high humidity.

Why not try letting them dry out well between waterings & make sure they have good ventilation. Also, avoid overhead watering.

Are you removing the dead & yellowed leaves from the plant ? that is important to do as well.

Hmm.. we are here because we were born here and didn't know that it was a lot warmer elsewhere. Mom told me when I was born , it was so cold, she took me home from the hospital in a feather duvet. If I remember those duvets from my childhood days, they were nothing like the flat ones they sell today? Hah, we sure came prepared for the weather, didn't we?. I guess we stay because it's as JunieGirl says, we put down roots and want to remain around our family.

Thanks JunieGirl, I will try to let the geraniums dry out more.

Daisy.
Correct........We have something in common here.. Were all suffering an will console each other.. Cause life is so beautiful her when spring comes, we forget all the snow stories.. Sure is better than running out of water an 80-90 degrees which we cant tolerate after we are used to the cold.. Makes a difference.. Ask any popsicle..LOL|

dodge, I like popsicles


I started my seeds today. Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash. Green peas, beets, carrots are already coming up in the garden and potatoes will be planted tomorrow.

I've made a salad for dinner from the lettuce that's growing in the pretend green house.

You are making me hungry.

Shes a show off. Another month before we plant in the garden.. OR more.

agreed. I am afraid to plant seeds until after the first week in May.
Well, I may put in some lettuce before that--we shall see...

the tomatoes, squash, cukes, lettuce, carrots are growing in the pretend green house. Only the beets, strawberries,peas, and more carrots are growing outside.

Sheri has a short memory.
Wasn't she the lil girl laughing at us Northerners an living in the cold??????????
HmmmmmmmmmmmWhy didn't we move???????

Do you guys start borage seeds indoors and then transplant? What about basil and dill.

I bought borage one year & was going to plant it, but I heard that it would spread like a weed..is that true ??

I plant my basil seed outdoors after the frost date.

I have also bought basil plants. They too go out after my frost date.
As I do not use much dill, I buy what I need.

Yay Carol,
That's what mine did also . Horrible. But pretty.

Thanks Barb, that is what I thought--but yes they sure are pretty....

borage doesn't spread here but I read online to direct seed it. It's supposed to help the taste of tomatoes.

I think I'll start my basil then transplant.

Well do let us know how the Borage did.

I have read where planting Basil near Tomatoe plants helps improve the flavor of Tomatoes.
IMO I think that rain at the proper times is what helps Tomatoes the best.

Don't hold your breath. Borage did nothing for mine.. But it is scratchy.

Different types of tomatoes taste different.

Try a few.

the cucumbers are already above ground. Fast. I always put basil in the garden with tomatoes. No idea if it makes a difference or not.

Borage has some good purposes do I'll direct sow it in the garden. All that talk about basil and I don't even have any seeds. lol

Popsicles, just can't get enough...which flavor do you guys like best? I like cherry and orange and love the lime. don't like the blue or purple ones though, but if I'm desperate I will eat them as well.

Here's an update, my tomato's got their second leaves, so today I transplanted them into bigger containers. My peppers as well.

My baby purple waves, all dozen of them came out and I transplanted them the other day as well. I am hoping that I can keep them going until they become adult plants.

Fertilizer guys, when do I start fertilizing my little seedlings? Heard that Purple waves like lots?


Also I have some fish tank water, which plants like fish water fertilizer?

Orange is tops in POPS for me..

dodge