Start your seeds Now for 2014 Fruit and Veges

Hello Everyone out there. I know I have been lax about my blog the last few years I am back, and am sure that it will be much better this spring into summer. I have already planted my indoor seeds over the weekend on Feb 23rd. I have planted a variety of tomatoes, peppers, eggplant. I have also planted Culantro which is a Peruvian herb that tastes like cilantro, but about ten times more potent. Rhubarb, Okra, Swiss Lupine, Lavender, and purple Tomatillo. I was out of some of my favorite seeds like Swiss Chard, Basil, and a few heirloom lettuces so I have ordered them - and will plant indoors when they come.

This year I am using a new technique that I am hopeful will produce better germination for me. I got a professional heating mat designed specially for seed starting, and I also got a real grow light, like the kind that the hydroponic growers use. The mat is great and stays about 70 degrees 24 hours a day. When the seeds do finally start to germinate I will set up the light on a timer. My old technique was just ok - but the harder seeds to grow just never got a good start like my peppers and eggplant, so I didn't get to eat any. Also, sometimes my tomatoes were a little stringy, Maybe the light wasn't strong enough, who knows.

Using the Jiffy organic seed starter mix in egg cartons works the best for me. I usually put three seeds in each cup, and pinch the weakest seedlings and the sprouts that grow deformed leaves as they start to get a little bigger (about 3 inches tall).

Deformed Leaves = Deformed Fruit

Here is a good shot of what my seed starting trays look like.