2025 Gardening thread, whatcha growing or doing in the yard

[Saltwater60]

Shoulda had them send you an email explaining what they did for the last week, then fire them

It was simple. When the trays start getting dry and one small Tupperware container of water to the black tray below the green one and rotate trays every 2-3 days. Everything else was automated.
The hard thing is I don’t know what was starting to germinate and died or what was just or is delayed germination. I’m going to look more today and replant some things. I’m ahead of schedule because I wanted big plants to go in the ground so I have time to replant and it will workout. My peppers are not germinating well this year and I’m aggravated by that.

 

[Saltwater60]

I had to increase my pot size for my San Marzano tomatoes already. Their roots were out of the bottom of my seed trays already. Already in 6” pots and it feels good. I want them ready to produce when they go in the ground.

 

[Saltwater60]

I ordered another heating pad today because I’m going to have some big plants. Freaking weather here needs to warmup so I can get my lettuce in the ground. It’s getting g huge already

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Going to pick up my greenhouse today. I'm in no rush to install it at this point though.

 

[Saltwater60]

Going to pick up my greenhouse today. I'm in no rush to install it at this point though.

I’m jealous!! I’d probably get the frame up to make sure there’s no issues and then wait until fall for the cover. I’m really curious how this will workout for you.

 

[S&W Fan]

Going to be switching up growing some things this year. We’ll be growing more early spring greens ( 4 types of lettuce , swiss chard , spinach and bok choy. our usual plethora of herbs , only a couple varieties of Heirloom tomatoes this year and probably the sweet 100 & sun gold cherry tomatoes. My usual variety of hot peppers for pickling, zucchini & strawberries. the rest of the boxes will be devoted to vegetables that can handle long term storage . Butternut , acorn & buttercup winter squash , red and sweet potatoes and a variety of root veggies.

 

[Saltwater60]

Going to be switching up growing some things this year. We’ll be growing more early spring greens ( 4 types of lettuce , swiss chard , spinach and bok choy. our usual plethora of herbs , only a couple varieties of Heirloom tomatoes this year and probably the sweet 100 & sun gold cherry tomatoes. My usual variety of hot peppers for pickling, zucchini & strawberries. the rest of the boxes will be devoted to vegetables that can handle long term storage . Butternut , acorn & buttercup winter squash , red and sweet potatoes and a variety of root veggies.

Nice. I’m having a bit of trouble getting my thyme, lavender, and rosemary to germinate this year. Granted they were allowed to dry out while I was on vacation last week so that could be why. I had enough seeds to replant so let’s see.

 

[GTN]

Anyone use or try out “Seedtime” app for planning your garden?
There is free and pay versions

 

[Saltwater60]

Anyone use or try out “Seedtime” app for planning your garden?
There is free and pay versions

I have not heard of it. I start mine about 2-4 weeks earlier than they say to because I do them in my basement and it’s about 58-60 degrees right now. I have thought about getting a plant tent but I’m not sure I want to get into that.

 

[GTN]

I have not heard of it. I start mine about 2-4 weeks earlier than they say to because I do them in my basement and it’s about 58-60 degrees right now. I have thought about getting a plant tent but I’m not sure I want to get into that.

Yeah I’m trying in the basement this year. Mine is also 58° but when I put a grow light and keep it within a few inches, it usually runs around 74 surface temperature. So I started him right on the time that they say and I’m struggling. Things that could go outside before last freeze are barely even growing, and some stuff like my lettuce of 72 cells all sprouted, and now all but six have died off.
I guess I’ll just rack this up his first year of learning experience and hope for better year next year.
I’m thinking about a small cheap greenhouse from Vevor just to try one out VEVOR Walk-in Tunnel Greenhouse, 9.8 x 6.6 x 6.6 ft Portable Plant Hot House w/ Galvanized Steel Hoops, 1 Top Beam, Diagonal Poles, Zippered Door & 6 Roll-up Windows, Green | VEVOR US

 

[Saltwater60]

Yeah I’m trying in the basement this year. Mine is also 58° but when I put a grow light and keep it within a few inches, it usually runs around 74 surface temperature. So I started him right on the time that they say and I’m struggling. Things that could go outside before last freeze are barely even growing, and some stuff like my lettuce of 72 cells all sprouted, and now all but six have died off.
I guess I’ll just rack this up his first year of learning experience and hope for better year next year.
I’m thinking about a small cheap greenhouse from Vevor just to try one out VEVOR Walk-in Tunnel Greenhouse, 9.8 x 6.6 x 6.6 ft Portable Plant Hot House w/ Galvanized Steel Hoops, 1 Top Beam, Diagonal Poles, Zippered Door & 6 Roll-up Windows, Green | VEVOR US

To me that will complicate things. On a sunny 55 degree day you can get up over 100 degrees inside and fry everything.
what light are you using? I started my seeds last year for the first time and had 100% success rate to the point I was giving away 50-100 plants last year. I know you’re not too far from me and I should have some extra this year and I’d be happy to give you what I have leftover if you want to drive my way.
Here is what I do.
I have a heat mat set to 75 degrees and I use trays. I keep them moist until they sprout and get secondary of leaves then I let them dry out a bit between watering. I water once per week with about 1/2” in the bottom of the watering tray. I run a fan 12 hours a day with the lights on the same schedule. When they get true leaves I do a light fertilization one per week and then have to water slightly more often. My lights are probably 10-12” off my seed trays and I do t move them up or down. I use spider farmer lights and I think light quality matters greatly IMO.
I would guess too much water or too strong of fertilizer but I’m not going on much information here. What happened to them when they were dying

 

[GTN]

I’m guessing I’m over loving my plants. Probably too much water.
I’ve watched so many YT videos. Each one tells you something different.
but here goes:
For seed starting I use coco coir, vermiculite and perlite. I don’t want those little gnats in my house from using soil.
Once the seedlings are up I add diluted fish emulsion once a week.
For lights I use 4’ led 5000k lights. I keep those 4-6” over the trays. I use boxes under the trays to raise/ lower the trays as needed.
Lights are on a timer for 14hrs. Fan is on 4hrs a day.
Thanks for the offer of plants. I should be ok but I might take you up on them.
This is my learning curve year

oh and I just had a bag of worm castings delivered to add in with my seed starting mixture

 

[Saltwater60]

I

I’m guessing I’m over loving my plants. Probably too much water.
I’ve watched so many YT videos. Each one tells you something different.
but here goes:
For seed starting I use coco coir, vermiculite and perlite. I don’t want those little gnats in my house from using soil.
Once the seedlings are up I add diluted fish emulsion once a week.
For lights I use 4’ led 5000k lights. I keep those 4-6” over the trays. I use boxes under the trays to raise/ lower the trays as needed.
Lights are on a timer for 14hrs. Fan is on 4hrs a day.
Thanks for the offer of plants. I should be ok but I might take you up on them.
This is my learning curve year

oh and I just had a bag of worm castings delivered to add in with my seed starting mixture

I personally love lambert seed starting mix and I solely use that. Coco choir holds a lot of water and can be high in salts. Did you rinse it first, any salt or mineral residue observed. I water about once per week with around 3/8” of water in the bottom tray. When the seeds pop I reduce the watering when they get the second set of leaves. I fertilize only when they have second set of leaves at about 1/2-1/4 the rate recommended. I also decorate my water. I leave my fan on 12 hours a day. Those are the main differences from what you said. I also use Epsomas liquid houseplant fertilizer and not fish emulsion. I don’t think that’s a huge difference but thought I’d point it out.
Did the seedlings turn yellow? Also I upsize my pot when the seedlings get third set of leaves.
I would restart some seeds and try a few different things so you can figure out what you did wrong.

 

[Saltwater60]

I ordered wine cap mushrooms and Almond Agaricus Mushroom to try out this year. I’m kind of excited to try something new this year.

 

[GTN]

I

I personally love lambert seed starting mix and I solely use that. Coco choir holds a lot of water and can be high in salts. Did you rinse it first, any salt or mineral residue observed. I water about once per week with around 3/8” of water in the bottom tray. When the seeds pop I reduce the watering when they get the second set of leaves. I fertilize only when they have second set of leaves at about 1/2-1/4 the rate recommended. I also decorate my water. I leave my fan on 12 hours a day. Those are the main differences from what you said. I also use Epsomas liquid houseplant fertilizer and not fish emulsion. I don’t think that’s a huge difference but thought I’d point it out.
Did the seedlings turn yellow? Also I upsize my pot when the seedlings get third set of leaves.
I would restart some seeds and try a few different things so you can figure out what you did wrong.

The coco I used says low salt content/will not burn roots.
I think I’ll try some more lettuce now.
I do have a few plants that need to up pot. A couple kale and a few lettuce

 

[Saltwater60]

The coco I used says low salt content/will not burn roots.
I think I’ll try some more lettuce now.
I do have a few plants that need to up pot. A couple kale and a few lettuce

I would try soaking the coco coir in water for a day or two then rinsing it once or twice with water. I put mine in a bucket and use window screen to drain it then I squeeze it out to remove more water.
I would also try going to a local place and using some seed starting mix. I wonder if that coco coir is holding too much water for you. It’s amazing how much that stuff will hold and then the roots suffocate.
When making your own mix are you doing equal parts coco coir, perlite, and vermiculite. I’d sub out a bit of coco coir for the worm castings but I have stopped using worm castings in my mix because I have too many seeds that germinate in there and it’s too hard to keep track of what’s a donation or what’s a seed I actually put in the cell. It’s a pain but it’s my own worm castings so maybe you won’t have that issue.

 

[GTN]

I’ll try soaking the next batch. I’m not doing equal parts. I’d say 20% V and 20% P and rest is coco. Today I also started adding in the worm castings.

 

[Saltwater60]

I’ll try soaking the next batch. I’m not doing equal parts. I’d say 20% V and 20% P and rest is coco. Today I also started adding in the worm castings.

coco coir recipes I see say equal parts of each. I’ve never done it so I can’t speak to that.
soak that cococoir like I said. Even naturally it has a high salt content that can kill seedlings. Attached is an article from a professor that has done tests on it and if not soaked the salt remains. I’d do two soaks and rinsed for 24-hours.

Using Coir as Seed Starting Medium | Challenge & Solution | joegardener®

Coir is growing in popularity as an option for seed starting mix. But there are challenges to making it work. Learn the solution to fix that.

joegardener.com

 

[GTN]

Just curious @Saltwater60, where do you get your seeds from?

 

[Saltwater60]

Just curious @Saltwater60, where do you get your seeds from?

Burpee and Hudson Valley Seed Company. Although I’m not super pleased with HVSC because I ordered some seeds in late November and they gave me seeds packaged for 2024 instead of 2025 seeds. I guess it’s partly my fault because it was 2024 when I ordered them but I live in NYS so I certainly wasn’t planting all those seeds in December in NYS and I figured they would know they were for spring of 2025 but I guess I have them too much credit.
I have heard good things about Johnny seeds and I’m pleased with burpee.

 

[jimc]

Anyone use or try out “Seedtime” app for planning your garden?
There is free and pay versions

I use the Old Farmer's Almanac. You enter you zip code, then you can remove any plants you don't want to plant. I print what's left so I have easy access to my timeline.

2025 Planting Calendar by Zip Code | The Old Farmer's Almanac

www.almanac.com

 

[GTN]

I use the Old Farmer's Almanac. You enter you zip code, then you can remove any plants you don't want to plant. I print what's left so I have easy access to my timeline.

2025 Planting Calendar by Zip Code | The Old Farmer's Almanac

www.almanac.com

Thanks. Looks a lot less confusing than seedtime.
How do you remove a veg? I didn’t see how to do it but I am on my phone

 

[jimc]

I don't know if you can do it on your phone. On a PC, after you hit Print or save a PDF, you can hover your mouse over each section and a trash can will come up to remove that section. It works for each plant type also. Once you remove the sections you don't want, you can print or save it as a PDF.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

Just curious @Saltwater60, where do you get your seeds from?

Take a look at rareseeds.com (baker creek). They have some cool stuff and awesome tomatoes. I like the stripey ones.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

My grape vines were delivered today. Hopefully I can sell a bunch bare root this weekend so I don't have to pot them all. 3/$25 sounds reasonable considering the same exact plants from probably the same exact wholesaler are sold elsewhere for $16.99/ea. The place I got them sells for $12/ea in small quantities.

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

I might buy some nubian goats this weekend too.

 

[stokes]

I might buy some nubian goats this weekend too.

You goin muzzy on us?

 

[TEOTWAWKI inc.]

You goin muzzy on us?

No, but maybe it will lure some in and they can plant my poppy field. I'd really like some fresh milk though.

 

[Saltwater60]

Take a look at rareseeds.com (baker creek). They have some cool stuff and awesome tomatoes. I like the stripey ones.

I wonder if their rare stuff is real. I see their posts on Facebook and some of it has to be fake so I have questioned their validity. Have you bought from them and had good success? If so I would like to try some things from them but when they post pictures of cucumbers the size of preteen kids I start to wonder.

 

[Saltwater60]

I might buy some nubian goats this weekend too.

Goats seem worth it to me. They are smallish and the feed isn’t insane, they are useful, and entertaining. If I had some land I could see me getting a few goats.
You should name them Osama, Bin, and Laden to piggyback off the past comment.