This year we are growing almost all of our garden vegetables {and flowers} from seed. I thought it would be fun show you how a few of the seedlings are doing.
If you’ve never started your seeds indoors before, not only is it easy to do, but it’s kind of nice to be able to grow something indoors when the weather is so stinkin’ chilly outside.
I like to plant seedlings in flats, to save space under the grow lights. This year I am growing 3 different kinds of basil. Last year was my first successful year growing it and I think it may have been because I grew the basil in the greenhouse.
Peppers seedlings. The first true leaves should start to appear soon.
Check out these tomato plants I started back on February 1st. Don’t you think the stems look nice and plump? Since the Handsome Husband killed off my heirloom tomato plants last year when I was out of town, this year I planted a second batch of seeds last week for back up. Hopefully we will have a ton of tomato plants to set out and extras to donate if all goes well. We shall see.
Zinnias. The leaves look so happy I want to squeeze them!
This is what the set up looks like. I have 2 tables set up next to my desk so I can keep an eye on the plants and talk to them.
As soon as the weather warms up a bit I think I’ll try and figure out a way to camouflage an extension cord and bring the whole grow light set up out to the greenhouse though.
Having a bunch of grow lights on in the front room when it’s dark outside and having the neighbors drive by and then call you to find out why there is a glowing light peering through your blinds at 10 pm is a little awkward.
Ahhhh Ha Ha!
Living in the suburbs is awesome.
~Mavis
P.S. Are you using grow lights this year? If so, what are you starting from seed?
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Jamie says
Those seedlings look fantastic! I just planted my collards and spinach, and got starts going on a few kinds of lettuce, peppers, and a few squashes. Thank you for your blog, it’s wonderful to read.
Also Lucy is super cute, I love that you include her in your updates. She’s definitely not camera shy!
cptacek says
I started 5 basil plants indoors. I have never planted any herbs before and I have no idea how many of each kind to plant.
Diane says
Depends on the size of your family, whether you are going to share with friends/neighbors, and what you are going to use the basil for. If you’re going to make pesto, that takes a fair amount of basil per batch, but if you’re just using the basil for flavoring cooked foods or salads, five plants might even be too much. If you haven’t grown fresh basil before, I’d suggest sticking with what you’ve got. Don’t put it in the ground too soon! Basil likes warm soil, sunshine and HEAT.
Good luck!
Sally says
I have started artichokes after your example and they are out in my new cold frame acclimating to the outside. I have a question for you. Is what you plant your seeds in to start them the typical packaged planting mix or are you using potting soil or something else? Your soil looks richer than the planting mix. I used the individual containers instead of the entire flat. I will have to try that.
Thank you,
Sally
Mavis says
I like to use the Miracle Grow Seed staring mix. It runs $3.89 at Home Depot and is in the indoor plant section at my store.
Sally says
Thank you!
Mary Ann says
I only have one of the grow lights you recommend. It’s on a table in my husband’s office. (Can’t put it in my office or the squirrel would destroy the seedlings, or maybe try to bury her nuts in the soil!)
My garden is small, but I expanded this year into a couple of boxes I had the hubby build and some half barrels.
I’ve started under the grow light from seed cucumbers (15), bell peppers (4), broccoli (6), brussels sprouts (1), cabbage (6), container tomatoes (2), cherry tomatoes (3), Beefsteak tomatoes (12), beets (22), and a couple different types of lettuce. The majority of those are already now planted in the garden and doing very well. I’ve sowed directly into the garden a row of green beans, 2 rows of radishes, 5 Zucchini, more beets, a barrel full of carrots, and a barrel of green onions.
We purchased one jalepeno plant, 30 strawberries, 18 asparagus, one more Thompson Seedless grape vine (to go with our other two), and a 15 gallon Santa Rosa Plum tree.
I still have 2 more barrels I can plant and I’m trying to figure out what to grow!
Oh yeah, I’m also growing spicy mesclun mix under the grow light.
It’s so exciting watching everything grow! It’s almost time for me to do the first twine weave on the tomatoes!
Mavis says
Oh Mary Ann I am totally jealous about your tomatoes. I still have another 6 weeks to go before I can set ours out.
Randi says
I’ve started zinnias, cherry tomatoes, basil, marigolds, lettuce, and rainbow chard under the lights. Outside I direct sowed peas. When I did I noticed some of my kale and rainbow chard that overwintered had been knawed off at the base and was gone! Fast forward to reconnaissance mission and I’ve discovered we have Mountain Beavers in our hillside! Evil, prehistoric, gnashing toothed mountain beavers. Anyone have a fix for that?
Lyn says
I bought the grow light you recommended a few weeks ago. I really like it. Where can i get the black trays your using?
Mavis says
Home Depot sells them for $1.69 each in their garden area. 🙂
Aurora Castiel says
I started everything from seeds this year as well. So far so good!
Sherry says
Mavis, I have a question. Do you turn off the grow lights at night or just leave them on all the time?
Mavis says
I try and remember to turn the off at night. 😉
Sally says
I picked up a timer a while back and use it for the light fixture. It goes on at 4am and off at 10pm automatically. That way I don’t have to remember to turn it off. However I could use a timer to help me make sure I remember to water daily! 🙂
Mary Ann says
We use a timer, too. Awesome not to have to try to remember to turn the light on and off!
myna lee johnstone says
do you use a heat pad or some sort of underneath heating?
Mavis says
No, I do nit use a heat pad. Our house is about 65-68 degrees inside though if that helps.
Julie says
Under the grow lights I have; Tomato-Beefsteak, Roma, Brandywine and Yellow Pear, dill, chives, sage, thyme, basil- lime, sweet, genovese, oregano, lemon balm, lavender, cucumber (just a few the rest will be direct seed), acorn and butternut squash, broccoli, brussel sprouts, mustard, peppers- cayenne, jalapeno, sweet bell and banana, cabbage-red & green, parsley and peppermint. I will get the cool weather seedlings out this next week and then get some flowers going. Your tomatoes do look fantastic!
Sydelle says
This is our first year with grow lights. You are such an inspiration Mavis. So far, we have started peas, beans, corn, spinach, lettuce, leeks, four kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, and onion. This is so much fun, watching, waiting, planning, dreaming. Helps the cold days of winter and early spring pass by.
Jesse says
I have grow lights that are pretty visible from the back yard.
I’ve always assumed that the neighbors think we are growing pot! I can’t wait for the poilce to come knocking one day to show them all my seedlings!
Mavis says
Hilarious!
Betsy says
I have basil, chives, parsley, a few kinds of tomatoes, and merigolds started inside but we just got 6 inches of snow today so I am hoping I didn’t start them too early!
I think I should do what you mentioned and start some backups in case our winter keeps going.
Kristy says
This is my first time starting from seed and it is actually working! So fun to see how the plants change overnight. I have things in an assortment of containers but want to start a flat of micogreens. I have 4 ft lights with 2 T8 bulbs – it looks like you have 3 flats under the light – do you rotate them? Do the plants on the ends of the flats get enough light?
Love your blog
Mavis says
I have two grow lights set up there with 4 flats underneath. 🙂 Next time I’ll try and take a better photo. I like setting it up that way so the entire flat gets the same amount of light.
Dena says
This year is my first year starting from seed and using a grow light. I to thought I may have a few questions about my glowing dining room! I have started 3 kinds of tomatoes… San Marzanos, Super steak and Burpee Super sauce. The Super sauce are the ones I am giddy about. They were advertized as something like a jumbo roma! The catalog said that they will produce 1 – 2 lb tomatoes! We will see. My goal this year is to grow 2 hundred pounds of tomatoes! I actually don’t like raw tomatoes, but the sauce I canned last year…. holy cow!!!! was it good, so good I ran out by the end of January 🙁 I also started a colorful bell pepper mix. It will be fun to see what I get! I am still waiting for Spring to show up in Michigan. I don’t know where it’s vacationing but I wish it would show up!
Have a great week, Mavis
Dena
Lori says
Yes, grow lights and starting my own seedlings. Pretty much everything if I can. I figure anything that doesn’t go well can be purchased at the nursery if necessary. I love starting my own seedlings. I have a light stand set up in my laundry room and the tomatoes and pepeprs are going gangbusters!
Charla Echlin says
Starting everything from seed as well- before I got my greenhouse I had my spare bedroom full of tables and lights. Once I got my greenhouse set up I found that I could save money on the grow lights- I used regular shop lights with the full spectrum florescent bulbs (available at Home depot)- much cheaper! It’s a small greenhouse so I can run a small heater too. How I love Spring!!!