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
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With shade cloth
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
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.
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“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
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.
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Strawberry bed with shade cloth
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Strawberry bed doubles as seed starting bed
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
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
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Inside
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Critter cage
“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.” — Abraham Lincoln
Hoo hoo hoo! Looks like we got a live one! Here, wave this tiny ad at it: