Starting Seeds on a Budget - Stop buying gardening supplies this year
Tips, Tricks
Are you looking to start or expand your garden this year? Lets go down the check list of things we might need - potting soil, seed plugs, seed trays, grow lights, compost, peat, vermiculite, fertilizer, manure, pest sprays, raised bed kits, trellis, tomato cages, and on and on....... I remember the first time we decided to have a small garden in one of your flower beds. We started at the store buying seeds and dirt and all of the things we thought we would need and spent about $100. That year we barely had anything grow and forgot to have someone water while we were on vacation. Not a great first experience but we were determined to start again. In our new home a few years ago we decided we were going to go big and year after year we are adding more and more to our garden. But we aren't huge fans of spending $10 in supplies to get $5 worth of vegetables, anyone else feel like that when you are starting out? Yes, over time you get things that you can use over and over each year thus making it more and more worth while. But what about now, do we really need all of this stuff to get a garden going? In my opinion most people (including us) spend way more than they need on gardening supplies and then are disappointed at the results their first couple of years. It does take time to get the soil just right, it takes time to learn what works best and when to plant and harvest. Gardening is not something that you can just go out and throw some seeds in the ground and have an awesome garden your first year. It takes time and in some cases a small amount of money. I have found that you have a choice in many cases, time or money. We are expanding our gardens over time as to lessen the impact on our wallets and allow us time to develop good soil as we expand. We have also learned that while we are not going to win any awards for the prettiest seed starting operation you can get started with little to no money invested at all. We started saving any containers with clear plastic lids last year and have saved up quite a few of them by now (probably more than we need!) These make the perfect tiny greenhouse seed starting containers. Instead of buying a heating pad and seed starting trays just use the things you already have. We have found these to be the fastest way to get your seeds started! This year in fact most of our seeds were already popping through the soil in the first 48 hours. The next thing you need to get your seeds started is soil, there are a lot of different ideas with what works best here but again I just use what I have to get going. Last year we made a mix for our square foot gardens of our compost, vermiculite, and peat. I grabbed a bin full of this soil and brought it in as soon as it was no longer frozen. I sifted through and got out any large pieces (leafs, sticks, etc.) and then filled my containers. The only down side to using this type of soil is that you might also germinate a few blades of grass or something from last years planting so just be carful and pay attention to what sprouts. If one of these things is not like the other, pull it out:) Seeds are pretty easy to come by and don't be fooled by expiration dates on those seed packages. With proper care there is no real expiration to most seeds. Germination rates might be lower after a few years but I wouldn't worry too much about that. Look for seeds during the off season in the fall or winter. Most stores have clearance sales at this time and you can get your seeds for as much as 75% off. You can also save seeds from your plants year after year. This is a skill I have not yet mastered but will be trying some of this year. There are many ways to save money on gardening supplies and still have great results. We are all tempted to go out and buy all the best stuff, shovels, and rototillers, etc. But that is mostly not needed. Check a garage sale this spring and you will likely find all kinds of gardening tools for dirt cheap:) I hope that this has inspired you to get started or add on to your garden this year. Follow along for more tips and tricks this coming spring and summer and lets all try to feed our families a little more from our garden each year. Simple Suburban Living General Store - http://astore.amazon.com/simpsubulivi-20 Please check us out at www.simplesuburbanliving.com and follow us on.... http://www.pinterest.com/simplesuburban/ http://www.facebook.com/simplesuburbanliving http://www.twitter.com/simplesuburban5 http://www.instagram.com/simplesuburbanliving
Comments
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awesome-thank you :)
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what about using the empty toilet paper rolls as I have seen posted
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Great Video!
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I just threw a bunch of these in the recycling. Grrrr. Ah well, I'm sure I'll end up with some more. Thanks for the great ideas.
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amen brother
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Great ideas. started saving my containers.
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When do you take the dome off? If you leave it after some have sprouted, does it get too hot?
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I use those containers like in the video also 16 oz water bottles cut and small cups with holes in the bottom sit them on plastic trays to water them.
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This is how I just started my first garden yesterday
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That is so funny...I just taught a class recently, and used the food containers ..and how they are perfect for seed starting/seedlings. Jiffy charges $8.00 to $15.00 for them with their little peat pots.. but..peat..can sometimes have way too high of a ph level for seeds/seedlings. *Mixing in a little compost with peat can help to bring the acidic nature of peat up to a better more friendly environment for seeds/seedlings. The Dollar Tree/Dollar General, Family Dollar sells all kinds of food grade containers with lids that will work perfectly!
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Great stuff here ... Looking forward to seeing more !
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we use empty 2ltr. bottles I cut them about 4-5 inches from the bottom and save the top start the seeds then use tops to cover them from frost when I set them out and also use old milk jugs to.
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That is not sterile....seed starter mix IS sterile...yer taking chances on disease that might kill your seedlings!..ALWAYS have drain holes in your seed flats!..BAD ADVICE
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I find keeping the egg shells in the egg cartons, and planting the seeds in the shells seems to provide a good start and planting egg shell and all gives them a nice boost.
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Where were you 40 years ago when I was starting my garden. Lol It's a shame how much money I have spent over the years buying growing containers, grow lights, top soil and the like. You have taught this 71 y/o how to do my 6 gardens on the cheap. Keep up the great videos. A SE Michigander here, John
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cool idea
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Great ideas in this video! If you have a local Dollar General store, they sell seeds and garden supplies very cheap at the end of the season. I paid 2-4 cents per seed packet (depending on the size). The information was spread around one of my garden Facebook groups and Dollar Generals were cleaned out across the country.
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I love to save the containers. I used my mother's day cake container made a couple of holes and planted my garlic plants. I also have a container full of Strawberry seeds. Great channel. Loved and Subbed.
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If you are down for it, nursery dumpsters might have plants you can take for free. And dont hesitate to ask the nursery if they have discounted or free plants.
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