This is a public-interest archive. Personal data is pseudonymized and retained under GDPR Article 89.

Re: New with introduction and questions on starting seeds



Dara wrote:

> Hello folks,
> snip....We are now living in the western North Carolina mountains. <snip> I'd
> say that we're definitely in Zone 7, as far as temperature goes, as it's very
> rare that we ever get down to 10 F.

        I don't live in the mountains but suspect that you should be more
concerned with the average dates of your last frost in the Spring and the first
one in the Fall. For this you may need the help of local people and your
cooperative extension service. The lowest temperature  (10F) has more to do with
the survival of perennials than veggie gardening.        Also, it would be useful
to know how permanent your living arrangements are likely to be. If you foresee a
long term situation, I would concentrate on preparing/improving your soil, keeping
in mind that you can do much harm to it if it has not dried out enough. It's fun
starting seeds, and why not give it a try? But you can always get your basic
plants from commercial growers  and they are likely to be better  timed to your
seasonal needs this first year.

>  it appears that if I want to grow broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, I'll have
> to start the seeds now.

        I don't have my seed starting info at hand, but this seems awfully early
for zone 7'ers. And don't forget that you can have a Fall crop for cabbage.

>     We are living in a 28 ft airstream, no running water, etc. Therefore, things
> like grow-lights and heaters are out of the  question.

        Most seeds don't need light to germinate  (lettuce does)  .... keeping
things around 70F is desirable but you will get germination at lower temperatures,
though taking longer to germinate. The problem is having enough light after
germination. Working, as you will be, in a trailer, I frankly don't like your
chances. I would guess that the plants will become very leggy for lack of enough
light.

> The seedling tray I have has 72 molds in it.

I think that you will find that you do better with smaller trays ... starting each
type of veggie in its own discrete tray. The reason is that they will germinate at
different times and their needs will be different.        I often cut down larger
trays with scissors to meet my needs. I stick my trays into plastic bags after
inserting a few of those plastic plant  markers into the soil to hold the plastic
away from the emerging plant.
        I hope that this is of some help and am sure you will get much good advice
from other posters on this list.
                            Ed  Flynn



--
To unsubscribe, send a message to: majordomo@lists.umsl.edu
with the single body line: unsubscribe sqft
Contact owner-sqft@lists.umsl.edu with any admin questions.
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index