High Intensity Seed Starting Indoors

I was listening to a Podcast,  The Joe Gardener Show with Joe Lamp'l regarding seed starting indoors.  If you are interested in high density seeding indoors there is a three episode podcast on the subject.  https://joegardener.com/podcast/037-starting-seeds-indoors-pt-1/

The first podcast has seed starting expert, Craig LeHoulier, discussing his high intensity seed starting techniques where he puts up to forty seeds in one 1 1/2" x 1 1 1/2" cell.

The podcast has some updated information, the old Youtube videos show you the process.   If you don't have a greenhouse or tunnel this is a great way to start a tremendous amount of seeds.

I was looking at the pile of seeds I have, trying to figure out where to put all of them.  I am going to use this technique.  

That's quite interesting.  I'm trying to figure out how it helps.  

You use much much less space getting the seeds sprouted.  But then you have to transplant all of them into larger pots that then take up a bunch of room.  Wouldn't it be easier to just start each seed in the bigger pot to begin with?  Or does he not need the heat mat once they're sprouted?  I'm sure I'm missing something, I'm just not sure what...

You can't use more seedlings than you have room for in your garden, and/or feed your family. Of course, if you have a commercial interest that would change things. I could see this if your trying to sprout seeds that were stored poorly years ago.

I've always started my seeds in foam coffee cups on the window sill. Last year I grew them traditionally in a couple 1020 trays with lights. I had more problems with seeds germinating than I usually do. So this year I'm eliminating the lights and just using the trays at the window. I'm thinking the lights cause cooling as the moisture evaporates, or that at night the plants take a set back without the lights. We shall see.

Good luck with your gardening, to everyone in fact.

Mike Jay wrote:That's quite interesting.  I'm trying to figure out how it helps.  

You use much much less space getting the seeds sprouted.  But then you have to transplant all of them into larger pots that then take up a bunch of room.  Wouldn't it be easier to just start each seed in the bigger pot to begin with?  Or does he not need the heat mat once they're sprouted?  I'm sure I'm missing something, I'm just not sure what...

Mike  I have quite a few packs of seeds that I'm going to start for polycultures.  The bulk of the seeds are perennial flowers  I'd be looking at 26, or so, 50 cell trays if I did one seed in each cell.  These would be in my house.  Nowhere near enough windows and I'm not spending that kind of money on grow lights.  By starting most of the perennials in one, two or even three trays I can use windows.  When I switch to 4" pots I can put them outside (covered if necessary) or in the garage.   I don't have a hoop house or greenhouse yet.  I have three acres of grass and I'm not getting any younger.  

Cheers

John Duda wrote:You can't use more seedlings than you have room for in your garden, and/or feed your family. Of course, if you have a commercial interest that would change things. I could see this if your trying to sprout seeds that were stored poorly years ago.

I've always started my seeds in foam coffee cups on the window sill. Last year I grew them traditionally in a couple 1020 trays with lights. I had more problems with seeds germinating than I usually do. So this year I'm eliminating the lights and just using the trays at the window. I'm thinking the lights cause cooling as the moisture evaporates, or that at night the plants take a set back without the lights. We shall see.

Good luck with your gardening, to everyone in fact.

HI John,  

I will be using this method mostly for Perennials to use in polycultures around the yard.  I have three acres of grass so I need to seriously bump up my polycultures.  

Cheers

Hi Scott, I hear you on the polyculture seeding effort.  I probably have a thousand or two seeds to start this spring.  It just seems like you'd need to transplant the little sprouts about a week or two after they were planted.  I totally see the benefit to starting on a window sill.  If they have to be moved outside into bigger pots in two weeks though, why not just start them outside in those same pots?  If they'd sit on the window sill for a month or more, I'm totally on board.

John, it does make more sense if you have old seed that may have poor germination to use this system.

I was impressed with how roughly he could push the little plants down into the soil.  I'm wondering if he does it the same way for non-tomato plants?  They can root from their stems but most seedlings can't (as far as I know).

Hey Mike,

he does push everything in.  If you get a chance listen to the podcast it has updated information.  I planned on starting seeds in the beginning of March, my estimated last frost date is 04/27.  I can't have that many pots in my house my wife wouldn't appreciate it.  :-)