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Seed starting bench X 2

 
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Posts: 1744
Location: N. California
811
2
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I want to start seeds for the fall. It's a bit to hot to direct sow. The greenhouse is way to hot. I decided to build a bench I can put in a shady spot with shade cloth over it.
We had these 4"x4"x30" at work in the free pile.  They were pretty rough, but still solid. There was also some 2"x4" with the notches cut out for a forklift.  
My plan was to use hardwire cloth, but our compressor is down, so it was going to make it more difficult. Nothing was working, and I was frustrated. My son built the frame for me while I was at work the next day.  My son convinced me to use wood instead of wire. The bottom shelf is a bunch of pallet wood with cut off nails I deemed not worth removing. Even so I liked the look. I was trying to decide what to use on top and decided to use the last of the old redwood fencing someone gave me.  My children gave me a planer for my birthday, so I had to try it out.  It ended up so beautiful(the  picture doesn't do it justice)I didn't want to use it for starting seeds. (What will  I use it for? I don't know yet)
My son also bought a small compressor. So take two. I built the bench I had originally intended.  
Both are sturdy and useful.
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Seed starting bench
Seed starting bench
IMG20240823165523.jpg
With shade cloth
With shade cloth
 
Jen Fulkerson
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Posts: 1744
Location: N. California
811
2
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I'm finally getting my fall seeds started.  I'm  enjoying my new seed starting bench, makes me want to build a potting bench.  I also think it will be very useful in the spring when things need to be removed from the greenhouse, before planting.  
IMG20240916184834.jpg
[Thumbnail for IMG20240916184834.jpg]
IMG20240916184900.jpg
[Thumbnail for IMG20240916184900.jpg]
 
Jen Fulkerson
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Posts: 1744
Location: N. California
811
2
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This was working well until I removed the covers.  The day after I removed the covers a lot of my little seedlings were just a stem poking out of the soil.  I suspect squirrel or rat.
I made a raised bed for my strawberry's this year, but it was done to late, so it' was empty.  It's the perfect plan B. I put the seedlings in the bed, and covered them with shade cloth.
This is the first time starting fall seeds in pots, usually I direct sow.  But lots of my summer veggies are still going strong.  I suspect I have been over watering. That and the fact it's jumped back up in the 100s has really reduced germination. I also  wonder
if the little buggers have been eating the pea seeds.  Luckily I have time to try again.  I will also be making a chicken wire top for my bench to protect the seedlings from hungry critters.
I wonder if the person who wrote the quote " If at first you don't succeed, try, try, again" was a gardener 🤔
Anyway here I go again.
IMG20240927170448.jpg
Strawberry bed with shade cloth
Strawberry bed with shade cloth
IMG20240927170505.jpg
Strawberry bed doubles as seed starting bed
Strawberry bed doubles as seed starting bed
 
Jen Fulkerson
gardener
Posts: 1744
Location: N. California
811
2
hugelkultur kids cat dog fungi trees books chicken cooking medical herbs ungarbage
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This is what the strawberry bed looks like without the shade cloth.
IMG20240328194223.jpg
Strawberry bed
Strawberry bed
 
Jen Fulkerson
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Posts: 1744
Location: N. California
811
2
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The seed starting bench needed a top. I thought I needed to protect the seedlings from the sun. It turns out the sun isn't an issue when the critters eat the seeds before they sprout, and munch the seedlings they missed.
The tops made out of a wood frame, and avian wire, which is like chicken wire, only a little smaller holes. It's sturdy enough I can move it around without it collapsing, but not very heavy.  I can put shade cloth on it when needed. It's finally cooled down, and the days are getting shorter, so I plan to do without the shade cloth.
I was thinking I could put avian, or chicken wire between the top and bottom on 3 sides, and make a wire door for the front, then I could use both shelves, and everything would be safe from the critters.  I probably won't do it now, but it seems like a quick and easy project to double my grow space.
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Top
Top
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Inside
Inside
IMG20241016182506.jpg
Critter cage
Critter cage
 
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