Hate to join a Gardening forum
I have a question and who better to answer it than GB since we have a lot of know it alls and jacklegs[:p].I will soon start some Tomatoes from seed in my basement.Twas looking at at some Grow Lights and they are expensive.I assume a heat lamp would work.I would like to start a hundred or better.I would like to know the solutions,alternatives that forum members have used to start seeds before season.Much appreciated-cahas
0
-
This is probably what you really are asking.
[:D]
http://www.a1b2c3.com/drugs/mjgrow5.htm0 -
Well my father is retired and does volunteer work at the arboretum.
So he grows my tomatoes/peppers in the green house for me/us.[;)]
cahas the way your doing it is very expensive and time consuming. However rewarding too. You would be better off finding a local greenhouse(if possible)and negotiating a deal on hundreds of plants.0 -
Heat lamps are not grow lamps. Look at Phillips Agro or Sylvania Gro-Lux bulbs. A heated cold frame might be cheaper to put together. 0 -
I just started my seeds last saturday. I dont understand why/how it could be considered expensive. I have 36 squash/36 Zuchs/ 72 Sugar Snaps/ 15 Charleston Gray Watermelons/ 30 tomatoes/ and some gourds. The gourds are the only ones not sprouting as of yet. I have less than $6 in each of the trays and the seeds were around $1+/- each packet.
I also have Mesculin mix and spinach but I havent started those as of yet. I grow mine in "salad tables" that hang on our fence. We have 14 of them 8'x 2'. (I think the Univ of Maryland website is where I got the idea) Oh..no I dont grow the watermelons on the fence. They grow behind the fruit trees and under the salad tables.
As far as the lights... I have used http://www.buylightfixtures.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=366
with great seedling results. Check around I think I paid about 3-4 a bulb. Either way I did 144 Tomatoe plants last year and it cost me under $25 for EVERYTHING.
Here is some basic info that is pretty good
http://www.gardenguides.com/plants/info/Vegetables/tomatoes.asp
0 -
Link for the salad tables if anyone is interested.
http://mastergardener.umd.edu/GardeningTopics/ContVegeGardening/SaladTables/SaladTable2006Report.cfm0 -
What HeDog said. Make some cold frames out of some old storm windows.
Dig about a 2 1/2' pit and fill the bottom half with horse manure, fill the rest with black dirt. The manure will generate a lot of heat and on nicer days you can raise the glass to harden off your seedlings. That will get your plants started in plenty of time and save some money too. You can get grow lights to raise your "herbs" in the back room of the barn.[;)]0 -
quote:Originally posted by gagirl
Link for the salad tables if anyone is interested.
http://mastergardener.umd.edu/GardeningTopics/ContVegeGardening/SaladTables/SaladTable2006Report.cfm
Thanks. Looks easy to do.0 -
if you have a workshop or basement where you have a stove for heat it really helps. my grow boxes are made out of 3/4" plywood lined with plastic. i place 2" of potting soil in the box. then i use a piece of 1/2 id plastic pipe with 1/8" holes drilled every 1/2" with a 90 degree ell at the end of the pipe, with a stub that comes above the top of the box for watering. then fill the box to the top with soil.(these boxes are 5 years old.) place seed in soil and cover with plastic. i use a 2 bulb 4' flourescent light over each box. 0 -
Yes,it would be easier to buy rooted plants,but i couldnt find much around here in the way of the old varieties.I bought the seeds in Pennsylvania {Amishland Heirloom seeds}some Amish and Mennonite varieties,and a few other heirlooms.Thanks for the info everyone-Cahas 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
9 comments