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Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
8 years ago

A few more weeks to go up here before I start seeds. But funny you mention Purple Tomatillo, mine are Purple De Milpa, and will be starting them around March 15th

EricM
EricM
8 years ago

Does anyone know anything about “Winstrip trays” I believe they are called? I heard about them on the Farmer to Farmer podcast, and they sounded like very heavy duty seed starting trays, but were angled and had an air gap on all sides. So you got all the benefits of a soil cube by having air pruning of roots, while still being incredibly fast to fill the trays.

Here is an example of them: http://fifthseasongardening.com/winstrip-trays-soil-blocks-without-the-mess

They are pretty expensive at $14+shipping for a 70ish cell tray, and I can only find them at one place. So I’m not sure if these things are legit or if it was a plug for his own product.

Any thoughts?

EricM
EricM
8 years ago
Reply to  EricM

Well this is neat, it looks like the University of Florida actually did a study of Winstrip trays vs tradition vs “Growing Systems” trays which look like deeply tapered trays. The Winstrip trays were better than traditional and made larger first fruit, but in total production the tapered “Growing System” ones were better.

I can only find quantities of 100 of the Growing System trays for sale, but they are only a bit over $1 per each in a quantity of a hundred trays; so I imagine they have to be a flimsy one use type tray.
http://swfrec.ifas.ufl.edu/docs/pdf/veg-hort/transplant/trans_trays1.pdf

I will buy a couple of the Winstrip trays and let you know what I think!

Eric

Doug
8 years ago

I have been harvesting tomatoes for the last month and have some that have not ripened still on the vine. I started my next batch of tomato plants inside last week. Our “winter” will be pretty much over in a few weeks. Zone 9B

Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
8 years ago
Reply to  Doug

Bugger 🙂
Earliest I can sow *anything* even in greenhouse is March 1st

Jason Cavanaugh
Jason Cavanaugh
8 years ago

What differences would there be between the shelf you describe for seed starting and a sprouting setup? I’m just thinking if you used your setup to do both, you could use it year round and it would be easier to justify the cost.

Professor Sweat
Professor Sweat
8 years ago

I’m honestly shocked at how quickly the prices for decent LED tech have dropped. I bought 12 watt plant grow light off of Amazon to put over the sump on my reef aquarium to grow macroalgae about 4 months ago and the price for the model has come down about 10% since then. I also just started a 24×6 planter last week with baby green bed of lettuce, watercress, red kale, swiss chard, and spinach to keep indoors and I’m using an LED light over it designed for a planted aquarium. I’d swear it’s pulling those sprouts right out of the soil.

Mark
Mark
8 years ago

Jack, or anyone else.

Is there a particular seed starter mix that is well liked by people? Or just buy whatever organic mix is available at the store?

Thanks!!

Brent Eamer
Brent Eamer
8 years ago
Reply to  Mark

I usually blend equal parts Perilite or Vermiculite, really cheap black earth and peat moss

Farmer Tom
Farmer Tom
8 years ago

If I were to buy the shelf and tent, how many lights would I need?

I like the tidy the set up!

Simone
Simone
8 years ago

What’s the older episode # you mentioned on seed starting? Thanks!

joshinga
joshinga
8 years ago

Just a comment on the song Southern Cross. Man, I’ve heard that song a million times. Never did much for me actually. So, I almost ALMOST turned it off when you played it. But after your description of it, I gave it a go and man with the background of it, I love it now. Crazy.

****In a noisy bar in Avalon I tried to call you
But on a midnight watch I realized why twice you ran away

So I’m sailing for tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin’
And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)
I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin’
She is all that I have left and music is her name

So we cheated and we lied and we tested
And we never failed to fail it was the easiest thing to do
You will survive being bested
Somebody fine will come along make me forget about loving you
And the southern cross***

Man, oh man, to be able to write like that.

Incredible.

Much thanks for the new found appreciation on a simply amazing song.

Thanks Jack!

heather
heather
8 years ago

Man, I wish you’d do an episode just like this every year. Pick new cool plants to talk about, plans for your garden, etc.