Linda,
Not knowing much when I did mine last year,
I went with the.......
"Seed Starting" bagged mixes at Wal~mart, Eckards', etc.
of course then the composter in me got the
best of me, and I thru in some compost,
*good for nutrients and holding a wee~bit of moisture*
and I then added added a bit of;
Perlite: for it to hold water for the plant roots.
Perlite let's the extra water drain easily through soil.

Vermiculite: It lets holds a bit of water and is
also used to aerate the soil...

YOu can also use it to start seeds, to root cuttings, and to store bulbs.

Summary/
The seed starting mix for soil is just a lighter mix, and easier for the fine little roots of the seeds to start and go thru...
The compost is for some extra food...
Verm/Perl are for aeration in the soil to keep it loose.

Weezie

P.S. There is NO NEED to fertilize a seedling for little bit, or until you see the first leaves....
The seed when formed has all of it's nutrients in it supplied by the momma seed when she made it until it's a wee~bit more grown up!

* * * *
Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2





http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

Hi Linda,

I just start my seeds in whatever I have on hand - either potting soil or peat moss. Sometimes, if the mood strikes me, I'll mix the two. Most seeds prefer warmer temperatures to germinate than you'll find in a cold basement but I couldn't say about 4 o'clocks. I just planted them directly outdoors last spring, though I think you can sow them outdoors in the fall, too.

Not much help, am I?

Hi linda,

I'm a new gardener too. I just used potting soil and my house has been on the cold side since I planted also (landlord controls the heat). Everything has come up so far except the ranunculus and they are suppose to be slow so I haven't given up hope yet. I usually buy miracle grow products.

I don't know how much help this is but mikes posts are always right on for me, so I know you are in good hands.

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Hi Linda,

This is what I do and it's probably all wrong.

Nope no additional lighting I have a 68" x 49" south facing window in the dinning room, a 51" x 49" south facing window in the kitchen, and about a 30" x 49" west facing window in the kitchen so I really don't need a flourescent light. I have been thinking about adding shelves about half way up in all the window enclosures since they are 7" deep on the inside. What I do for the seeds is just bury them to the depth it says to on the packages in the miracle grow and then spray them with weak solution of miracle grown plant food (I have recently found out I could have just used straight water). I spray so I don't move the seeds around if they are just sitting on top of the soil or are only buried 1/4 inch deep. Then I keep spraying everyday so they stay moist. I am in virginia zone 7a so until summer hits I don't have a lot of humidity. When they first sprout they use even more water for some reason although from what I've read they should start using less pretty soon. I know once they are full grown the house plants at least like to get dry between waters. Next comes the transplanting stage and that is when all of my plants die so for that I do not have a clue.

I read somewhere recently that since I have single pane windows I shouldn't have plants in the window because of drafts. Probably because it is Virginia that hasn't caused anything to die or not sprout yet, but maybe my plants aren't as healthy as they should be and that is why they die when I transplant?

I wish I knew more but If you follow mike's advice I bet everything will go perfectly.

* * * *

hi tk....wow....that sounds like some garden your gonna have. i read somewhere else on here that you have no luck with transplanting. i also read somewhere that if you use those jiffy pellets, you know, those pots made of peat, anyway i read that its less shock to the little darlins when transplanting them i'm just an enquiring mind, but it sounds like good advice. as for the humidity.....i live in the chicagoland area and we get soooo dry hear in the winter months. we keep a big soup pot of water on the stove all day, then off at night, incase the flame goes out. it keeps our house right around 50-51 humidity. we have a gauge!! anyway its just a thought, and with the flame so low it really hasn't increased the gas bill. i do it cuz i hate that dry feeling!! but this would help any plant i'm sure!
Linda

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learn from others mistakes....you can't live long enough to make them all yourself

your an inspiration i'm gonna do just that ....today as a matter of fact...yippeeeee
i'll let all of you who have held my hand (so to speak) through all my questions on this topic....know how they turn out!!
thank you....Linda

* * * *

learn from others mistakes....you can't live long enough to make them all yourself

thanks tk, i didn't know that either! good luck with yours....and please take it slowly on those stairs
Linda

* * * *

learn from others mistakes....you can't live long enough to make them all yourself