They grow up so fast. Seeds planted a few weeks ago are young seedlings ready for bigger pots so they can stretch their toes.
I used coconut hair starting medium this year. Not my favorite. It dries out quickly and this fabric liner to keep it all together is tougher than I like. The packaging said to leave it on, but I removed them. Above is a zinnia.
Oh, and I now regret throwing out all those little pots I had collected from buying plants over the years. I could have used those. Instead, I’m using these blue plastic drink cups. Drainage is needed, so I stabbed the bottoms with scissors. It was kinda satisfying.
I use the cheapest garden soil I can find. I would prefer it have NO fertilizer added so I can control the amounts. That wasn’t available so this will do. The amount is tiny. That’s what you want. Young plants only need a little bit of fertilizer. Don’t use the expensive Miracle-Gro or other brand names filled with fertilizer for this step.
I add the soil to a bowl in my kitchen…
Stuff the cups and then find something to use as a dibble. Something to make a hole to match the seedling and its soil.
Anyone else taking vitamin supplements more than usual in this COVID-19 days? The container is just the right size.
Zinnias, cosmos, tithonia and tomatoes got bigger pots this week. Herbs will be transplanted next. All these babies sit under grow lights, even though they are in a south-facing window. They need that extra light to be big and strong.
Next steps: I will pet these seedlings every day, to simulate wind and encourage strong cell-growth in the stems. Later, they get to go for walks outside. And spend more time outside gradually the week before I put them in the ground and pots outdoors.
I anticipate outdoor planting in a month. It depends on soil temperature, not just frost possibilities. More about that later.
Happy gardening! If you have questions or suggestions, I’m deb@riverboise.com
~Debbie