I'm not quite sure what in the world I am doing wrong, but my early seedlings haven't begun to sprout yet. It's been two weeks since I planted them. They should be up by now. The ones I started in the basement had all begun to sprout in just a few days. I wish I hadn't fried them with that silly light. I thought they needed a little light, apparently the one I owned was too strong though....
So, here I am trying to start them outside. I suppose it takes longer when there are no heat mats to aid with the germination process though. (I had got a wonderful deal on two starter sets hubby's store was selling earlier this spring.) I sure hope they sprout soon or they'll be struggling to grow when it gets too hot for them.
I knew I couldn't do my own peppers or tomatoes since my seedlings all got fried to a crisp, so I bought a few 6 packs from hubby's store when they were on sale. They're nestled into the garden too, though I've been told I should have waited to put them into the ground. I've been adding milk jugs as they become available since they like it a bit warmer than we have it just yet. It's an easy project. Cheesehead was happy that most of our recyclables were used for it too, double bonus.
I didn't take any pictures, but it's pretty simple to do. Just cut the bottom off of a gallon milk container and throw the lid away to allow air circulation for the plants. If you're careful to cut the jugs off above the curved part you'll be able to shove them into the soil a bit too. This keeps them from blowing away AND helps keep some nasty bugs away from them. The ones inside their own personal greenhouses seem to be a bit happier than the ones out in the elements. I guess I'll need to drink some more milk.
So far, so good! I just hope the peas, beans, carrots, lettuce, spinach, and arugula start to sprout soon. Maybe they need some milk jugs too.
The potatoes are beginning to form a few leaves too though many have yet to break the soil's surface.
Thank you for stopping by to chat with me. Please leave me a message, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Cindy
9 comments:
Courage, Cinj! Those cool-weather crops will come up soon (peas, arugula, lettuce, etc.). Don't panic! And I'm sure your tomatoes appreciate the milk jug cloches! Our tomatoes and peppers aren't especially thrilled by our recent cold spell; they're looking at us very accusingly now that temps are in the 50s (day) and 30s (night) rather than the 70s/50s you'd esxpect for mid-May here in PA!
I hope you see your sprout soon. Some of plants I started from seed aren't looking too great either. I think this why I usually end up buying starts.
Great idea using the milk jugs, one day I need to remember to do that.
Hang in there, it takes patience. They'll probably take off like crazy when it warms up a little more!
We have 5 gal buckets from anti-freezing customers heating systems at their camps. We were scrambling to get our tomatoes covered last night, killing frost! Oh my! I'll have to remember the milk jugs, easier to store.
Don't fret Cindy your seeds will eventually come up. The ground just may be a little cold for them right now. A few warm nights and they will pop right up.We should be getting over the frost periods but the weather has been so strange.
Grrr I hate seeds!!! I planted a ton and none came up the first time. I planted again and they came up sparingly. A lot of cosmos came up but the marigolds and zinnas are kinda hit and miss. I guess we need a greehouse! I wish!!!!!! I hope I get enough to at least have some to flower and enjoy!
Hopefully you will see yours sprout in a few days. Somethings take longer if its cold out!
Ben- I'm just crossing my fingers (and toes), trying to be patient, and trying to avoid the urge to fertilize. I just added all that good stuff, I just have to keep telling myself the soil needs to warm up.
Catherine- I'm glad I finally used the milk jugs. The ones in their shelters look pretty happy. I'll just try to wait and see what happens over the next couple of days. It's supposed to be about 80 tomorrow.
Nola- Thanks. I'll try. I've been patient all winter, what's a bit longer?
Dawn- I have a bunch of larger things to cover them with if I need to once the plants get bigger. Now that I've got my shed organized I should have a much easier job of keeping track of everything.
Lona- It sure has been. Got up to 70 today and 80's tomorrow so if they don't start taking off soon I think I'll scream.
Cindee- I did some flower seeds last year but they didn't really come up until mid August or so. I'm finding a bunch of them coming up now too. Last year was pretty cool though. I guess I'll just need to cool my jets and practice more patience.
I bet your spinach will be one of the first to come up. Carrots may be the last. That's what my experience has been. I've been planning on putting milk jugs over my tomatoes, because the nights had been on the cool side, but now we're having highs in the 80s, so I don't know if it would get too hot in them.
The tomatoes seem to be growing, but the ones I started from seed are small.
I hope soon, you'll be enjoying the fruits of your labor!
You can always take the jugs off during the hottest part of the day.
I hope to be eating lots of yummy things.
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