Ok. Let’s see if I’ve got these 7 mistakes... 1- starting wrong plants too soon (grow cold weather crops outside) 2- Don’t worry about zones! Only days to maturity & How long growing season is to know when to start seed 3- over watering! 😯 IF you start with good potting soil, you need to water only 1-2x/week! 4- Don’t use soil to start seeds indoors! Use a soilless mix (peat moss, vermiculite, perlite & a bit of fertilizer) like Pro Mix 5- Over fertilizing! Start out gentle. “Indoors you want nice, steady, slow growth”. Don’t stress the plants. 6- using heat mat for longer than needed. Once plants are started, heat mat is no longer needed. 7- leaving humidity dome on. Once seeds sprout, unplug heat mat! After seeds germinate & are growing 1-2 weeks, take dome off! Can you do a short video like this but of 7 steps to perfect seed starting indoors? For beginners? ☺️ I got the what not to do. I need the what to do!!! 😂
I’m always afraid to watch these videos. I have no idea why though... *slowly unplugs heat mat and hides watering can*... Thanks again for the lessons lol
I've made every single mistake you mentioned in this video. Thank you for explaining in detail the mistakes and how to treat the source, not the symptom.
I don't comment often but I've been starting from seed for 4 years now with... not-so-great results. I've managed to get plants out in the garden the last 2 years but they've definitely been stressed! These 2 videos have cleared up about every issue I've been suffering with so THANK YOU SO MUCH!
This is timely! I stopped the video to go unplug the heat mat--thank you. I started with the humidity cover and only a few days later I took it off and what a soggy, leggy, droopy mess. I restarted everything and so far so good.
Hi Luke I hope you and yours are all well. I just wanted to 'Thank you SO much' for doing these videos. I ALWAYS learn SO MUCH for your videos. My husband bought me a seed making kit with heatpad and I am very nervous as I am sure are many others to begin this new hobby. Your videos undoubtedly will give me a much higher success rate, save me money, and distress if they die. (We all failing at things lol). So to be able to sit and watch you do it and show us is fantastic. Also I can refer back to your advice. Take care have a great week Natalie 😀.
When you were talking about Broccoli and not to start 5-7 weeks in advance, I thought I made a planning mistake. Then you said unless you live in Arizona...which I do lol. Majority of my seeds from last year and all of my new seeds for this year are from your shop, so I can't wait to start. Another great video!
I found your channel yesterday based on a recommendation for grow light from a FB gardening group...I have learned more from the first 4 videos I've watched than I knew in the whole time I've been TRYING to grow seeds. Now I know about the heat mat, the humidity dome, the grow light....and you name it. THANK YOU!!! I'm so happy I found your channel...and your website!
Last year I did a huge garden for the first time and I did ALL these mistakes... 🤣🤣🤣 I still had quite a bit of success luckily. I love this channel and all the helpful tips, I always learn something new!
I'm one of those impatient gardeners! I get winter blues, and seeing stuff growing lights me back up. it takes super restraint not to start seeds in January 😭. I walk into nurseries expecting petunias and daisies, but there's still only the bare minimum. I think my local nursery folks think I'm a little insane walking in and out during winter time😂😂 I need help lol!!
I've been watching through all your stuff during my work breaks in preparation of the huge garden at the new house, and honestly thank you so much for all the advice! Big love
Thanks a lot Luke. Ever since you first mentioned that zones don't matter for growing annuals, it's become my pet peeve too! And the crop rotation myth for backyard gardeners! 😂
I'm loving your series! I've just moved from 10b to 4a! I'm learning all new ways to garden. Your seedstarting series is amazing! I think I was making at least 7 of your 14! I watch your videos with my gardening notebook and pencil! Thanks for the great content,
In Phoenix, we have to go with early tomatoes because the season basically ends at 90°so if we have longer season tomatoes we have to make sure we start them even earlier and up so they don't stress. Early girls and better boys are the favorites along with cherry tomatoes. My friends in Southern Florida have to go with smaller that are more fungal resistant like heirlooms cherries
I’m glad you mentioned zones, I live in Alaska (a zone 4/4b area) and we have such an atypical season- short season but long long days of sunlight. We get up to 20 hours of daylight in summers, but we may also get snow in May or frost in September! It’s a confusing place to farm! I grew up with a productive garden (thanks to my dad who grew up on a farm in Nebraska) but am beginning my own garden many years after having gardened. Our growing season can be confusing at times.
Thank you for this video. I just figured out what I have been doing wrong. Watering to much is the biggest mistake and keeping them to warm with the heating mat
Appreciate your thoughts, I think when people are asking about when to start plants based on zone, what they are really asking is "based on my last frost date as _________, when should I start my seeds"? The last frost date (which is generally listed as a percentage-percent date is the point at which only ____ percent of the time a frost occurs after that date.) is easy to find online. Thanks for thoughts on using soil, I also use promix, and haven't had the trouble with damping off but I still use a small hand sprayer and squirt occasionally with a copper fungicide just in case.
Just started some of my MIGardener seeds yesterday! I definitely appreciated the way you lay out the info on the back of the packet - its the clearest of any seeds I've gotten. I only started the ones that were recommended for 8-12 weeks prior to last frost. I can't imagine the temptation to plant up in Michigan right now! My parents still live up there and the weather is super wonky.
This was an excellent video, and has caught me on a number of mistakes I've been making and have become more aware of through your video. 100% on Target as far as I can tell. I have been leaving the humidity dome and bottom heat on too long. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Here in Seattle. I started lettuce, spinach, kale, kohlrabi and bok choy on 1/26. I do this every year. On 3/1 I plant them outside under row covers, which I do every year. By 4/1 I’ll have large harvests. I do this every year. My garden is a small suburban garden so anybody can do this. Our last frost date is in early May. Row covers vastly extend the outside grow season.
LOL I just started lettuce seeds today, but I'm down south in Charleston and the forecast for the next 2 weeks is highs between 61 and 73 with the coldest night being 43 degrees. All are in pots so I can move them into the garage if necessary. Love your channel Luke!
Hey Luke, I’m an avid gardener and fisherman. Just wanted to reach out and let you know how awesome it is that you supported fish fray in the process of getting a new car. The world need more of that kind of generosity. Will definitely be buying all my seeds from MIgardener from now on
Thanks Luke! It looks like live drowned my unknown seeds I found growing on a fence. I have them in seed starting mix and I bottom watered. Trust me I know they've drowned. I'll be patient though. If I have nothing in a few weeks, I'll try again. Thank you and Jess for the encouragement and enthusiasm just to want to try. I appreciate you both. Lynn Byther as well, she is geographically distance and chronologically a little closer.
It's always an interesting dichotomy. Most plants use mycorrhizal fungi to thrive. But we tell ourselves that all fungus is bad, and start plants in sterile media. It's counter intuitive that protecting against the early formation of mycorrhizal activity is better, when that relationship becomes a method for the plant to more easily seek important soil nutrients, adequate water in dry conditions, and even fend off pathological fungi. I suspect, some day, this practice of sterile seed starting will be looked at as archaic. Modern botany accepts the Soil Food Web and living soil as critical for low maintenance plant health and sustainability, but we persist at embracing the sterile nursery paradigm. Luke, have you done any research about this or done trials with complete soil vs. rockwool?
finally some sensible talk about zones. Technically I live in a zone 7... which sounds pretty nice until you realise how short our growing season is and how harsh the weather can be (rain, storms, not a ton of sun in summer, coastal climate (including salt)... )
When you mentioned mistake #4 : the mushrooms and the indoor pots. I had a comment about that a few videos ago... I truly felt that dramatic camera stare/finger point at 8:28 🤣😭🤣😭
@@billrichardson6620 I grew/ate plenty of basil and the fungi was benign. The plant's currently reached maturity and has produced seeds. I've planted the seeds in a new pot and have discovered new basil seedlings yesterday :)
Cris Robledo oh wow that’s wonderful to hear. I think I should be able to solve the issue by reducing how much I water. It’s good to hear the problem was not irreparable thank you!
Thanks for these videos. I am 100% sure that I've made some of these mistakes. I live in a sub-Arctic climate, and our growing season is super short growing season. I started my seedlings in early May and they are doing well, but we still have frost risk for a couple more weeks. I have tiny cups that I made from toilet rolls and newspapers, but I think I will need to re-pot them into larger containers. Space will definitely be an issue.
Hey, All your videos are good and informative but this one is extra good for me. I needed to hear some of those tips. This is my third year for seed starting and I wasn’t sure about watering. I also bought 2 heat mats recently and needed to know about how to use them. Thanks! I saw Roots and Refugee unbox the seeds you gifted her. Most of the comments mentioned you! Awesome. I mentioned you...of course.
Thank you Luke. I do use a heat mat with the propagation dome but only till my plants sprout. They then get moved to the lights and drying out some. I move lots of pots though my heat mat set up. As far as the broccoli this is my first year broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and kohlrabi starting inside. I read the seed packs saying start so many weeks and plant so many weeks before the last frost date. I have started some but now I'm going to go reread my packs um I might have fallen victim to one of your top mistakes. Chiefs are champions! Snow globe parade today.
Some great information. For me, the biggest take away is the fact that conditions conducive to germination and conditions conducive to growth are very different. Have ever done a video on when and which plants are better to start from seeds and when to buy seedlings or small pants instead?
This video came at the perfect time. I was confused last year when my leafy greens dampened off but somehow I kept them alive(barely) until they could go in the ground. You posted this video literally hours before I started gathering all my supplies to start my seeds 😂😂😂 Thanks, Luke!
You are quite accurate about Arizona, I live in Phoenix and I have to start 5 to 7 weeks ahead of time. But I'm still trying to figure out if I do it outdoors when it's warm, indoors, in the greenhouse, etcetera so I'm experimenting this year. I think it's awesome that you're Arizona where
I know you work hard and I really appreciate it. I just read that organic requirements are possibly about to get more lax and I just wanted to ask of you to not change your methods and cut corners but to stay true to your purpose and to your customers despite any other outside influence. Thank you greatly. It matters to us all. 👍
Thank you for all the great information and explaining in detail why these mistakes are bad. Especially about using a soil less potting mix for indoors. All my indoor only plants have a layer of what looks like mould or a fungus growing on top of the soil! I didn't know this was the reason why. I was getting ready to throw them all out!
Can you do a video on led lighting for starting seeds and led lighting terminology such as plant light par value I am using currently using t4 standard plant lights All I can find is a choice of only led plant lights at Home Depot/Lowe’s 😟
Are you talking starting seeds or actually growing them under the lights after they pop? If it's just seeds something like T8's/T12's work fine. No real advantage to using LED to pop seeds cost wise. If you want to actually grow them Quantum boards are pretty much the go to atm or the Samsung strips. You can get them semi cheap off of Ali. T5's are also a good choice but the cheap bulbs have a high failure rate.
Hi ! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge ! It is my first garden this year and I am obsess, I probably watch over 50 of your videos in the last 4 days. Could you please say more about fertilizing seedling ? When to start / how often / spray or when watering ..
#1 - totally me last year... was SO over it with winter and started everything way too early and had to plant full bed of bok choy and broccoli so early - alllllll bolted (blah) but on the bright side, we ate the broccoli leaves and got a BUNCH of seeds for two of my favorite microgreens ;)
Hi Luke, love your videos I was wondering if you could answer a question in one of your older videos talking about your seed starting mix you said to add compost/casting as it is good to have that beneficial bacteria and fungi from early on and you did talk about starting them indoors if I recall do you discount that/ learned something new. If so can you recommend/ tell us how you make your seed starting mix Thank you
Hi! I'm a 1st-year seed starter here. Love your content and do's and don'ts videos. I had no idea about over fertilizing seedlings. Could having my seedlings upstairs (no longer on heating pad) also contribute to leggy plants? I'm definitely taking all of your advice but especially not having grow lights on at night. Seedlings grow while they "sleep" was like a duh! moment for me ;-P Thanks for your help and videos 💚🤘
I'm referring to carrot seeds.....I direct sowed them outside in Chicagoland...germination says 12-18 days...how long can the seeds be in the soil before germination before they rot? I think mine are within those 12-18 days but I wonder... Love your channel by the way..great information. Thanks!.
Thank you Luke for the explanation of the heat mat and the dome. I believe that is part of my problem. Also I'm happy to report that all the garlic I ordered from you is up👍
Great information as we are going to be starting our own plants for the first time this year. I will use what you say as I embark on this journey. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.
I like to use pro mix too, also my promix contains some form of limestone mixed in and my soil stays around 6.5-6.7 ph on its own and when I feed the soil properly it will usually only drop to 6.2 ph
I've been starting seeds indoors for decades, and have no problem using regular soil, even out of the garden, not some special mix bought from a store. You simply aren't following your own advice enough, and adding an additional element that helps the plants too. 1) If your soil is staying too wet, particularly staying wet on the surface, do I even need to write it? Water less often. You do not at all need some special soil mix. Whatever you have in the garden that's suitable, is also suitable to start the seeds indoors. 2) Add a fan. This helps dry the soil surface, helps give the stems some exercise to become strong against the eventual wind they'll face outdoors, and in an enclosed indoor grow area, helps with respiration, CO2/Oxygen exchange, as well as deterring flying pests from being attracted to your plants. You might be surprised how easily flying pests can enter your home, for example from bananas bought at the grocery store, hatching from them. Long ago I was using the peat moss, vermiculite and perlite, and find it just a waste of money now, and more hassle as it becomes a nutrient 'sink and requires more fertilizer, unless of course you bought some special starter mix that already had the fertilizer in it which is again more expense for a tiny quantity compared to just buying a bale of peat moss if you must use peat moss. Indoors is not that much different when it comes to soil, if you simply provide sufficient ventilation instead of stagnant, high humidity air.
Tip #4 i think it was. Ive learned that fungi and mushrooms form a relationship with the plant ahd help each other. Fungi perform important services related to water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. Along with bacteria, fungi are important as decomposers in the soil food web. They convert hard-to-digest organic material into forms that other organisms can use. I would do some research on that if i where you before putting it up in videos.
I overwater cause even during the pandemic work requires I leave town for 10 days at a time No drainage window sill with direct afternoon sun. I try to simulate a good rainfall every two weeks, it’s a bit easier when you can see the water level through glass or PET
Luke I just loved this video as it taught me a few thing that I have been doing wrong & thus losing seedlings- also loved the comedy skit hahahaha just fabulous. Unfortunately we are currently still in 35C temps so not starting any seeds at the moment here in Australia. Cheers Denise
I'm realizing I don't have the right environment inside for starting yet, so I think I'm going to need to buy the plants. Thank you for your articulate tutorials. Much appreciated. PS: The garlic is coming up outside, so I'm excited about that. I've wintered the Brussel Sprouts outside by building a Quonset hut like cover over them. Keeping my fingers crossed, because they are such slow growers and only took hold late, late fall. Haven't checked yet to see if they've made it.
I heard about you from stumbling on roots and Refuge and scott the gardener. I am so glad i did. I ordered seeds from you and baker creek and am excited to receive them. Can i save seeds from what I grow this year, save them and plant them next season?
I am in cold Utah and I am starting seeds for my spring garden now. I plan on planting them in a raised bed under an agribon row cover when they are a little bigger, probably when they have 3-4 true leaves. I know my soil temp is around 40*F and I think that is too cold to have good germination. So basically I’m starting them indoors to increase the germination rate. Utah has crazy springs that can go from mellow spring temps to hot summer temps and back to cool in a 24 hour period. This is the first time I’m trying this.
Ahhh! I just found out I’m doing it ALL wrong! lol well, I guess I’m going start over. I live in northern lower Michigan and I usually plant June 1st because of frost and we have snow usually by Halloween so my growing window isn’t a long as I’m used to!
From Grand Rapids MI and I have a HUGE wild bramble of black raspberries growing in my back yard corner. Last summer I picked 12 quarts full of these beautiful berries that I froze and made them all into jam and jelly over the winter. My question is do you have experience pruning these and could you make a video? I see you have videos for blackberries and raspberries but not these wild black raspberries or black caps as some call them. I wonder if the treatment is different for them? They are super thorny but I don't mind since the berries are so delicious! I'm just really unsure as to how to handle them. They are just growing like crazy and doing their own thing. I'm really nervous about trimming them. Thanks!
You can add New Mexico to the” it gets hot super fast” category. We can have up to2 weeks of spring in good years or more typically a week or less in hotter years.
Hey, Thanks for another great video!! I was just wondering if you have any tips for using small greenhouses for transitioning seeds from indoors. This is the first year I will be using one and I've had friends tell me to be careful. Im mainly growing peppers....Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yikes, I am guilty of most of these mistakes. Lol! I'm so focused on my grow zone because I thought it was referring to the length of my growing time! Also, my seedlings are under the heat dome and on a heating pad.
Ok. Let’s see if I’ve got these 7 mistakes...
1- starting wrong plants too soon (grow cold weather crops outside)
2- Don’t worry about zones! Only days to maturity & How long growing season is to know when to start seed
3- over watering! 😯 IF you start with good potting soil, you need to water only 1-2x/week!
4- Don’t use soil to start seeds indoors!
Use a soilless mix (peat moss, vermiculite, perlite & a bit of fertilizer) like Pro Mix
5- Over fertilizing! Start out gentle. “Indoors you want nice, steady, slow growth”. Don’t stress the plants.
6- using heat mat for longer than needed.
Once plants are started, heat mat is no longer needed.
7- leaving humidity dome on.
Once seeds sprout, unplug heat mat! After seeds germinate & are growing 1-2 weeks, take dome off!
Can you do a short video like this but of 7 steps to perfect seed starting indoors? For beginners? ☺️
I got the what not to do. I need the what to do!!! 😂
What is he using in this trays, like cakes ? 😂
@@wendyyu1977 It looked like rock wool.
I’m always afraid to watch these videos. I have no idea why though... *slowly unplugs heat mat and hides watering can*...
Thanks again for the lessons lol
Yep!
😂😂😂😂
LITERALLY LOL'D!!!!
😂
I cant help it!! I want to grow everything all the time!!
ME TOO!! 🤪
cleaning your tools between plants is always a good practice that is a good habit to learn early on
I've made every single mistake you mentioned in this video. Thank you for explaining in detail the mistakes and how to treat the source, not the symptom.
I don't comment often but I've been starting from seed for 4 years now with... not-so-great results. I've managed to get plants out in the garden the last 2 years but they've definitely been stressed! These 2 videos have cleared up about every issue I've been suffering with so THANK YOU SO MUCH!
This is timely! I stopped the video to go unplug the heat mat--thank you. I started with the humidity cover and only a few days later I took it off and what a soggy, leggy, droopy mess. I restarted everything and so far so good.
Hi Luke I hope you and yours are all well. I just wanted to 'Thank you SO much' for doing these videos. I ALWAYS learn SO MUCH for your videos. My husband bought me a seed making kit with heatpad and I am very nervous as I am sure are many others to begin this new hobby. Your videos undoubtedly will give me a much higher success rate, save me money, and distress if they die. (We all failing at things lol). So to be able to sit and watch you do it and show us is fantastic. Also I can refer back to your advice. Take care have a great week Natalie 😀.
When you were talking about Broccoli and not to start 5-7 weeks in advance, I thought I made a planning mistake. Then you said unless you live in Arizona...which I do lol. Majority of my seeds from last year and all of my new seeds for this year are from your shop, so I can't wait to start. Another great video!
I am always starting new seedlings because of plant swaps. I appreciate this video.
This video is jam packed full of useful information. I now know the reason for all of my difficulties and will avoid those. Thanks, Luke!
I found your channel yesterday based on a recommendation for grow light from a FB gardening group...I have learned more from the first 4 videos I've watched than I knew in the whole time I've been TRYING to grow seeds. Now I know about the heat mat, the humidity dome, the grow light....and you name it. THANK YOU!!! I'm so happy I found your channel...and your website!
Your comments about "zones" are GREAT!
I’m in Arizona so I will start my lettuce now lol this helped. I’m brand new!
Last year I did a huge garden for the first time and I did ALL these mistakes... 🤣🤣🤣
I still had quite a bit of success luckily. I love this channel and all the helpful tips, I always learn something new!
good info. last year i played around with soil amendments & totally stunted the growth of my veggies. this year im going compost only.
I'm one of those impatient gardeners! I get winter blues, and seeing stuff growing lights me back up. it takes super restraint not to start seeds in January 😭. I walk into nurseries expecting petunias and daisies, but there's still only the bare minimum. I think my local nursery folks think I'm a little insane walking in and out during winter time😂😂 I need help lol!!
I've been watching through all your stuff during my work breaks in preparation of the huge garden at the new house, and honestly thank you so much for all the advice! Big love
Thanks a lot Luke. Ever since you first mentioned that zones don't matter for growing annuals, it's become my pet peeve too! And the crop rotation myth for backyard gardeners! 😂
I'm loving your series! I've just moved from 10b to 4a! I'm learning all new ways to garden. Your seedstarting series is amazing! I think I was making at least 7 of your 14! I watch your videos with my gardening notebook and pencil! Thanks for the great content,
I honestly had no idea about the potting mix vs soil. No wonder my indoor plants never thrive.
In Phoenix, we have to go with early tomatoes because the season basically ends at 90°so if we have longer season tomatoes we have to make sure we start them even earlier and up so they don't stress. Early girls and better boys are the favorites along with cherry tomatoes. My friends in Southern Florida have to go with smaller that are more fungal resistant like heirlooms cherries
I’m glad you mentioned zones, I live in Alaska (a zone 4/4b area) and we have such an atypical season- short season but long long days of sunlight. We get up to 20 hours of daylight in summers, but we may also get snow in May or frost in September! It’s a confusing place to farm! I grew up with a productive garden (thanks to my dad who grew up on a farm in Nebraska) but am beginning my own garden many years after having gardened. Our growing season can be confusing at times.
Thank you for this video. I just figured out what I have been doing wrong. Watering to much is the biggest mistake and keeping them to warm with the heating mat
Great video!! 😀 Glad you included spongebob too.
Waterrrr!
Appreciate your thoughts, I think when people are asking about when to start plants based on zone, what they are really asking is "based on my last frost date as _________, when should I start my seeds"? The last frost date (which is generally listed as a percentage-percent date is the point at which only ____ percent of the time a frost occurs after that date.) is easy to find online. Thanks for thoughts on using soil, I also use promix, and haven't had the trouble with damping off but I still use a small hand sprayer and squirt occasionally with a copper fungicide just in case.
Just started some of my MIGardener seeds yesterday! I definitely appreciated the way you lay out the info on the back of the packet - its the clearest of any seeds I've gotten. I only started the ones that were recommended for 8-12 weeks prior to last frost. I can't imagine the temptation to plant up in Michigan right now! My parents still live up there and the weather is super wonky.
You're awesome, I learned so much - and one of the great pieces is how to teach simply these techniques to others! Thanks!
This was an excellent video, and has caught me on a number of mistakes I've been making and have become more aware of through your video. 100% on Target as far as I can tell. I have been leaving the humidity dome and bottom heat on too long. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Hey man. I love your videos. We have the same exact passion for gardening only you articulate it much better than myself.
Here in Seattle. I started lettuce, spinach, kale, kohlrabi and bok choy on 1/26. I do this every year. On 3/1 I plant them outside under row covers, which I do every year. By 4/1 I’ll have large harvests. I do this every year. My garden is a small suburban garden so anybody can do this. Our last frost date is in early May. Row covers vastly extend the outside grow season.
LOL I just started lettuce seeds today, but I'm down south in Charleston and the forecast for the next 2 weeks is highs between 61 and 73 with the coldest night being 43 degrees. All are in pots so I can move them into the garage if necessary. Love your channel Luke!
Hey Luke, I’m an avid gardener and fisherman. Just wanted to reach out and let you know how awesome it is that you supported fish fray in the process of getting a new car. The world need more of that kind of generosity. Will definitely be buying all my seeds from MIgardener from now on
Thanks Luke! It looks like live drowned my unknown seeds I found growing on a fence. I have them in seed starting mix and I bottom watered. Trust me I know they've drowned. I'll be patient though. If I have nothing in a few weeks, I'll try again. Thank you and Jess for the encouragement and enthusiasm just to want to try. I appreciate you both. Lynn Byther as well, she is geographically distance and chronologically a little closer.
Have a great Friday!
It's always an interesting dichotomy. Most plants use mycorrhizal fungi to thrive. But we tell ourselves that all fungus is bad, and start plants in sterile media. It's counter intuitive that protecting against the early formation of mycorrhizal activity is better, when that relationship becomes a method for the plant to more easily seek important soil nutrients, adequate water in dry conditions, and even fend off pathological fungi. I suspect, some day, this practice of sterile seed starting will be looked at as archaic. Modern botany accepts the Soil Food Web and living soil as critical for low maintenance plant health and sustainability, but we persist at embracing the sterile nursery paradigm. Luke, have you done any research about this or done trials with complete soil vs. rockwool?
Gardener's Supply company is selling seed starting mix pre-innoculated with a mycorrhizal species. So, somebody thinks it's good.
Just unplugged my heat mat. Thank you!!!
finally some sensible talk about zones. Technically I live in a zone 7... which sounds pretty nice until you realise how short our growing season is and how harsh the weather can be (rain, storms, not a ton of sun in summer, coastal climate (including salt)... )
Wow I learned so much about zones, I've been approaching it all wrong. Thank you
When you mentioned mistake #4 :
the mushrooms and the indoor pots. I had a comment about that a few videos ago... I truly felt that dramatic camera stare/finger point at 8:28 🤣😭🤣😭
Cris Robledo what ended up happening? I just realized The same thing
@@billrichardson6620 I grew/ate plenty of basil and the fungi was benign. The plant's currently reached maturity and has produced seeds. I've planted the seeds in a new pot and have discovered new basil seedlings yesterday :)
Cris Robledo oh wow that’s wonderful to hear. I think I should be able to solve the issue by reducing how much I water. It’s good to hear the problem was not irreparable thank you!
Thank you for this video very true what you said it been happen to me all this mistakes
Thanks for these videos. I am 100% sure that I've made some of these mistakes. I live in a sub-Arctic climate, and our growing season is super short growing season. I started my seedlings in early May and they are doing well, but we still have frost risk for a couple more weeks. I have tiny cups that I made from toilet rolls and newspapers, but I think I will need to re-pot them into larger containers. Space will definitely be an issue.
Hey, All your videos are good and informative but this one is extra good for me. I needed to hear some of those tips. This is my third year for seed starting and I wasn’t sure about watering. I also bought 2 heat mats recently and needed to know about how to use them. Thanks! I saw Roots and Refugee unbox the seeds you gifted her. Most of the comments mentioned you! Awesome. I mentioned you...of course.
Thank you Luke. I do use a heat mat with the propagation dome but only till my plants sprout. They then get moved to the lights and drying out some. I move lots of pots though my heat mat set up.
As far as the broccoli this is my first year broccoli, cauliflower, celery, and kohlrabi starting inside. I read the seed packs saying start so many weeks and plant so many weeks before the last frost date. I have started some but now I'm going to go reread my packs um I might have fallen victim to one of your top mistakes. Chiefs are champions! Snow globe parade today.
Some great information. For me, the biggest take away is the fact that conditions conducive to germination and conditions conducive to growth are very different. Have ever done a video on when and which plants are better to start from seeds and when to buy seedlings or small pants instead?
Great list! I've actually stopped using humidity domes entirely and the only change I've noticed is I don't have damping off anymore lol
This video came at the perfect time. I was confused last year when my leafy greens dampened off but somehow I kept them alive(barely) until they could go in the ground. You posted this video literally hours before I started gathering all my supplies to start my seeds 😂😂😂 Thanks, Luke!
Great video!!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do these informational, interesting, and entertaining videos.
You are quite accurate about Arizona, I live in Phoenix and I have to start 5 to 7 weeks ahead of time. But I'm still trying to figure out if I do it outdoors when it's warm, indoors, in the greenhouse, etcetera so I'm experimenting this year. I think it's awesome that you're Arizona where
This was extremely helpful to me, a newbie gardener!! Thank you!!
Luke is the man! Give this man a round of applause!
I know you work hard and I really appreciate it. I just read that organic requirements are possibly about to get more lax and I just wanted to ask of you to not change your methods and cut corners but to stay true to your purpose and to your customers despite any other outside influence. Thank you greatly. It matters to us all. 👍
Thank you for all the great information and explaining in detail why these mistakes are bad. Especially about using a soil less potting mix for indoors. All my indoor only plants have a layer of what looks like mould or a fungus growing on top of the soil! I didn't know this was the reason why. I was getting ready to throw them all out!
I have to say that investing in a proper grow light setup has been the most beneficial addition to my seed starting regiment.
Can you do a video on led lighting for starting seeds
and led lighting terminology such as plant light par value
I am using currently using t4 standard plant lights
All I can find is a choice of only led plant lights
at Home Depot/Lowe’s 😟
Are you talking starting seeds or actually growing them under the lights after they pop? If it's just seeds something like T8's/T12's work fine. No real advantage to using LED to pop seeds cost wise. If you want to actually grow them Quantum boards are pretty much the go to atm or the Samsung strips. You can get them semi cheap off of Ali. T5's are also a good choice but the cheap bulbs have a high failure rate.
Hi ! Thank you again for sharing your knowledge ! It is my first garden this year and I am obsess, I probably watch over 50 of your videos in the last 4 days. Could you please say more about fertilizing seedling ? When to start / how often / spray or when watering ..
#1 - totally me last year... was SO over it with winter and started everything way too early and had to plant full bed of bok choy and broccoli so early - alllllll bolted (blah) but on the bright side, we ate the broccoli leaves and got a BUNCH of seeds for two of my favorite microgreens ;)
Hi Luke, love your videos I was wondering if you could answer a question in one of your older videos talking about your seed starting mix you said to add compost/casting as it is good to have that beneficial bacteria and fungi from early on and you did talk about starting them indoors if I recall do you discount that/ learned something new. If so can you recommend/ tell us how you make your seed starting mix
Thank you
Hi! I'm a 1st-year seed starter here. Love your content and do's and don'ts videos. I had no idea about over fertilizing seedlings. Could having my seedlings upstairs (no longer on heating pad) also contribute to leggy plants? I'm definitely taking all of your advice but especially not having grow lights on at night. Seedlings grow while they "sleep" was like a duh! moment for me ;-P Thanks for your help and videos 💚🤘
Wow super helpful! I was totally gonna commit some of those mistakes, and you helped me avoid them!
I'm referring to carrot seeds.....I direct sowed them outside in Chicagoland...germination says 12-18 days...how long can the seeds be in the soil before germination before they rot? I think mine are within those 12-18 days but I wonder... Love your channel by the way..great information. Thanks!.
I wish I saw these video before I started my seeds indoors. Now I need to save them!
Wow, I made so many of these mistakes this past year
I got my first seed order from you and I want to start now!!!! Thanks for the videos!
So true about zones! I am also zone 5 in Michigan but much farther north than you are. Our growing season is much shorter than yours.
Thank you Luke for the explanation of the heat mat and the dome. I believe that is part of my problem. Also I'm happy to report that all the garlic I ordered from you is up👍
What is the medium you are using for the basil cuttings?
I started a ton of lettuce inside two weeks ago. I'm six miles from the AZ border in Southern UT, though. 100+F starting around mid June.
I’m in an area of Los Angeles that has a lot of 100+ dry days, too. Lots of early bolting, so I started spinach and lettuce and stuff inside too.
Great episode, one of your best
I agree. I didn't know that about the zones. Tons of nuggets in this tutorial.
Great information as we are going to be starting our own plants for the first time this year. I will use what you say as I embark on this journey. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.
Very good points! I learned a lot here. I've never been successful at seed starting indoors but maybe I'll try again.
Great information as I am just getting things ready to start some seeds. Thanks
2:30 you've never been to Pennsylvania. Our weather is bipolar. It will literally go from snowing Monday to 60 degrees on Tuesday.
I did not know that about zones versus days until maturity! Makes sense. Thanks for the aha moment
First! Thanks Luke...love your vids...BTW you inspired me to buy the rockwool and start cuttings and some seeds that way instead of all seed mix
Thanks so much for this video! The advice is hugely helpful 🌱🪴
I like to use pro mix too, also my promix contains some form of limestone mixed in and my soil stays around 6.5-6.7 ph on its own and when I feed the soil properly it will usually only drop to 6.2 ph
"LUKE!!! I am not your father"............ but thanks for all your hard work and dedication. From N.S.
I've been starting seeds indoors for decades, and have no problem using regular soil, even out of the garden, not some special mix bought from a store. You simply aren't following your own advice enough, and adding an additional element that helps the plants too.
1) If your soil is staying too wet, particularly staying wet on the surface, do I even need to write it? Water less often. You do not at all need some special soil mix. Whatever you have in the garden that's suitable, is also suitable to start the seeds indoors.
2) Add a fan. This helps dry the soil surface, helps give the stems some exercise to become strong against the eventual wind they'll face outdoors, and in an enclosed indoor grow area, helps with respiration, CO2/Oxygen exchange, as well as deterring flying pests from being attracted to your plants. You might be surprised how easily flying pests can enter your home, for example from bananas bought at the grocery store, hatching from them.
Long ago I was using the peat moss, vermiculite and perlite, and find it just a waste of money now, and more hassle as it becomes a nutrient 'sink and requires more fertilizer, unless of course you bought some special starter mix that already had the fertilizer in it which is again more expense for a tiny quantity compared to just buying a bale of peat moss if you must use peat moss.
Indoors is not that much different when it comes to soil, if you simply provide sufficient ventilation instead of stagnant, high humidity air.
Tip #4 i think it was. Ive learned that fungi and mushrooms form a relationship with the plant ahd help each other.
Fungi perform important services related to water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and disease suppression. Along with bacteria, fungi are important as decomposers in the soil food web. They convert hard-to-digest organic material into forms that other organisms can use. I would do some research on that if i where you before putting it up in videos.
I overwater cause even during the pandemic work requires I leave town for 10 days at a time
No drainage window sill with direct afternoon sun. I try to simulate a good rainfall every two weeks, it’s a bit easier when you can see the water level through glass or PET
Luke I just loved this video as it taught me a few thing that I have been doing wrong & thus losing seedlings- also loved the comedy skit hahahaha just fabulous. Unfortunately we are currently still in 35C temps so not starting any seeds at the moment here in Australia. Cheers Denise
I'm realizing I don't have the right environment inside for starting yet, so I think I'm going to need to buy the plants. Thank you for your articulate tutorials. Much appreciated. PS: The garlic is coming up outside, so I'm excited about that. I've wintered the Brussel Sprouts outside by building a Quonset hut like cover over them. Keeping my fingers crossed, because they are such slow growers and only took hold late, late fall. Haven't checked yet to see if they've made it.
I love how he's propogating basil while he talks 😆
I didn’t know pretty much any of these points. Thank you!
ditto! That Pro Mix sounds like great stuff, and I see now why my inside sprouts die. He exactly described what happens to them.
Here for the good advice
I heard about you from stumbling on roots and Refuge and scott the gardener. I am so glad i did. I ordered seeds from you and baker creek and am excited to receive them. Can i save seeds from what I grow this year, save them and plant them next season?
I am in cold Utah and I am starting seeds for my spring garden now. I plan on planting them in a raised bed under an agribon row cover when they are a little bigger, probably when they have 3-4 true leaves. I know my soil temp is around 40*F and I think that is too cold to have good germination. So basically I’m starting them indoors to increase the germination rate. Utah has crazy springs that can go from mellow spring temps to hot summer temps and back to cool in a 24 hour period. This is the first time I’m trying this.
Good luck, I bet your plants will thrive!
Ahhh! I just found out I’m doing it ALL wrong! lol well, I guess I’m going start over. I live in northern lower Michigan and I usually plant June 1st because of frost and we have snow usually by Halloween so my growing window isn’t a long as I’m used to!
WOW! Thanks for another great video. I see I've been making some of those mistakes. Will be able to avoid them this year.
Thanks for these tips, it will definitely help me as well as others out that are new to this gardening😊😊 GREAT share😊😊
Hands down best use I have ever seen the sponge Bob video used for hats off 😂
From Grand Rapids MI and I have a HUGE wild bramble of black raspberries growing in my back yard corner. Last summer I picked 12 quarts full of these beautiful berries that I froze and made them all into jam and jelly over the winter. My question is do you have experience pruning these and could you make a video? I see you have videos for blackberries and raspberries but not these wild black raspberries or black caps as some call them. I wonder if the treatment is different for them? They are super thorny but I don't mind since the berries are so delicious! I'm just really unsure as to how to handle them. They are just growing like crazy and doing their own thing. I'm really nervous about trimming them. Thanks!
Wow! These Have been so helpful. Thank you!
Thanks for the video. Have you thought of coconut coir potting mix, like Burpee instead of a peat moss blend that isn’t as renewable?
Great video. Thank you. Do you have a video about what you’re doing with Basil. I love Basil and haven’t had success growing it.
Always appreciate a Spongebob clip ;)
You can add New Mexico to the” it gets hot super fast” category. We can have up to2 weeks of spring in good years or more typically a week or less in hotter years.
Hey, Thanks for another great video!! I was just wondering if you have any tips for using small greenhouses for transitioning seeds from indoors. This is the first year I will be using one and I've had friends tell me to be careful. Im mainly growing peppers....Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yikes, I am guilty of most of these mistakes. Lol! I'm so focused on my grow zone because I thought it was referring to the length of my growing time! Also, my seedlings are under the heat dome and on a heating pad.