how we are starting seeds this spring!

I wrote an essay on the system we've arrived at for starting seeds on our homestead. Hopefully someone finds it helpful

https://open.substack.com/pub/edenpermaculture/p/earth002-growing-food-from-seed?r=zac0k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

This is my first year starting seeds indoors. I used to direct sow twice a year when I lived in 9a. Now I'm in 6a. There are 4 trays with 35 small germination pots each. As these get big enough, I move them into the 4x4 pot trays. I hope to have 108 plants to put in the beds by end of March or early April.

Ryan Lingle wrote:I wrote an essay on the system we've arrived at for starting seeds on our homestead. Hopefully someone finds it helpful

https://open.substack.com/pub/edenpermaculture/p/earth002-growing-food-from-seed?r=zac0k&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

Nice straightforward description of your setup!

My small version was to get trays 3 peppers and 1 tomato on heated mats, plus some monardas, Malabar spinach, and another shot at lotus.  (I only have two mats.)

I’ve moved everything but the Malabar spinach to my only south-facing window after sprouting.  (The MS only sprouted one seed so I’m giving it a little more time on the mat.)

That left room for skirret, vetch, black sesame, and perilla on the mats.  My celery is soaking in warm water until I get more potting soil.

Once these germinate, first I panic trying to find more windows, then I have a list of the next seeds on the mats.

Also I started lovage, spoon wort, and sheep sorrel in trays with no heat in a north-facing window.

I’m being restrained and not buying new seed this year, so I’m expecting reduced germination.  Also being lazy and just using potting soil.

I did buy a grow lamp for the tomatoes/peppers, have yet to fasten it to the shelving.