Kevin, your followers might want to check on something in their area - I live in central Fl, and here in Fl many of the local libraries have seed libraries that provide free seeds for both vegetables and for some flowers as well. The repackage the seed in small quantities more suitable for home gardeners who grow just a few crops. Here you can get up to 5 packs of seeds at each visit and each pack will have maybe 10 large seeds or more of the smaller types of seeds, but enough to grow several plants. This way everyone has a free resource if they want to try gardening. When you pick up the seed packs, you just let the librarian know as they keep up with the seed inventory and replace them when they get low. I get seeds here every Spring and I think it's a great idea.
Got this idea from The Impatient Gardener, and have seen several other gardening channels using it recently. I'm a novice gardener and might need to get another case already. Makes me feel so professional. I got mine at amazon.ca
The industry standard 6 cell is a thermoformed polystyrene tray. What you appear to have is an injection molded polypropylene tray. It's a much sturdier design. I work at a factory that actually makes flower pots with both these processes.
@@escapefromny2012 He showed the really cheap ones when he compared them. I have some inexpensive ones from 25 years ago that I am still using. I don't need to stand on my planting cells. They are nice, but too expensive to be practical. Some hydroponics stores sell good ones that are much less expensive. They also have heavier duty trays.
@@kristenstocks8112 I went to the link but it brings me to an American site that won't let me past punching in a zip code because I'm not American and can't skip it lol. Can't find them here anywhere in Canada from what I've seen
Tomorrow I'll be starting with seeds for the very first time, so this was perfect timing for me! I've only ever grown tomatoes in the past and never started anything from seed. Your videos have been very helpful to help me prepare for the next step. Thank you! I'm even more excited to get started now.
Love those seed starting trays 😍 Empty strawberry containers are a favorite for starting plants they're like little mini greenhouses with great drainage
I bought some 12-cell seed starting trays with individual watering trays and humidity domes on Amazon. They were 10 of the 12-cell trays for around $25. I ended up buying a total of 40 of the trays, so I can start 480 seedlings for about $100. Pricey, but the humidity domes are making it so I only have to water every 2-3 days instead of 2-3 times per day, and once the roots grow I can bottom water. Totally worth it for me, and they are reusable. They even come with short plant tags that fit under the domes. Increased my germination rate significantly.
I love using 6-packs for seed starting. I agree that it is much easier to move them around in a tray as things grow at different rates. Easy to keep faster or taller growers together, etc. Also as a home gardener I usually grower fewer numbers of more types of seeds, so it works well there too.
heads up that if you want, you can harvest kailan when it's young! baby kailan is more tender and a less vegetal/grassy taste to it, it's fantastic with scallop sauce and lots of garlic
"My little makeshift water collection system" - Uhhh....Kevin...that is a full-sized garbage bin! Haha I love the practicality and can't wait to see the future rain collection barrels set up.
Thanks for keeping home gardeners in mind. I have been searching for reusable, durable, small seed-starting trays or plugs. I only have .25 acres, so I don't need huge nursery seed trays. I haven't found what I needed until now. I just ordered some. I can't wait for them to arrive so I can start my spinach, lettuce, celery, and flowers.
@Ei Dirst yup, I using it nowvlike you said but when I bought it for the first time, out of curiosity and hastiness I sowed seeds in all 72 and it was not good . You learn by doing mistakes, right
Yes that was my thought, the ones I’ve been buying are pretty easily separated without having to even cut them apart. The new trays look nice but with how much I’m starting that’s an investment
Next week I am starting 16 tomato plants. 12 for me & 4 for 2 neighbor ladies. I use the double solo cup method. After 8 weeks, I'll deliver to the ladies the plant starts in their solo cups, but mine will be transplanted into growbags. I set my growbags in dishpans which I pour 2" of Miracle grow tomato food mix 18-18-21 to bottom water. !
Mixed up Lucid Gem TOMATOES and Lunix Lettuce, +20 years good harvests if you caught that ;) - link to buy Epic 6-Cell Trays here: shop.epicgardening.com/collections/seed-starting-propagation
There's a moment in your life you realize: "I should have watched this video first before diving into my plant obsession." And that is me, today. huhu Thank you for the video!
Sometimes the info becomes more available and workable when you can fully grasp it's relevance and context. That's what I like to tell myself when I take too long to learn important life lessons. ;)
About soaking peas- it makes sense in nature that a seed needs to be soaked before germinating because they have a hard seed coating, just like some seeds need to be cold stratified for 60 days before they sprout. It prevents the seed from sprouting in less than ideal conditions. The "soaking" in nature would just be excessive rain or natural wear and tear as the seed lays in the ground.
Kevin, you can just shaved off the outer green part of the stem on Chinese broccoli, and do the same thing with regular broccoli stem. Cut into small slices,and stir fry them.
Could you make a video about planting & caring for a terrarium....how to plant succulents...& what kind of succulents can be planted together in a container without drainage...PLEASE
I almost purchased Charles cells but they wouldn't ship to USA. At least not when I was trying to purchase. I'm glad I was put off because I really like the design of these trays
Yes, these look just like the ones Charles Dowling recently showed. So big shout out to Kevin for hooking is up with an American-made version! Recycled polypropylene, solid, what's not to love? Thank you! (Gonna need another grow light...)
Seeds I have everything to do with seeds almost everyday I eat them and make cool recipes with them and now it’s time for planting them can’t wait 😛 🌱 👍
New on TikTok...the seed-starter "crate" challenge! All kidding aside.... As an experienced gardener, I find this video to be excellent! Very informative for up-and-coming veggie-geeks. 2 things: 1. Once you get good at starting from seed (and it's not too hard, really - just need a good grow-stand), you are on your way to growing some great varieties. Heck, one summer I took it upon myself (living in NC) to grow tobacco, cotton, and peanuts...just to see if I could. Answer: yes i did, and yes they all produced! (cotton has beautiful flowers, btw) 2. I have never ever seen someone grow radishes in a grow-container...would love to hear the story behind that. 🤔👍 Cheers! JerBear in Charlotte
I have been using this method for several years now. TRICK TO USE TO PULL THE PLUGS OUT TO TRANSPLANT TO LARGER POTS IS USING A DINNER FORK. A dinner fork allows you to pop the plugs out quickly and they stay whole. I don't use this brand 6 cells, I use an other companies heavy duty 6 cell trays. Boot Strap. This propagation type 6 cells, I would be interested in trying.
I use around 10, 1020 trays with the 72 cells per 1020 trays to start my vegetable, herbs, and flower seeds. I do a spring/fall/winter and secession planting during the season. I prefer to water in my soil before I seed.
ULTIMATE work from home!!! (and he's so cute I wouldn't mind seeing him, as my neighbor, walking around his garden in the morning in nothing but jammies & carrying a mug of coffee. "Howdy, neighbor!" WOO!)
A few things I didnt see covered that I have questions about. A) The seed starter mixes seem to have next to no nutrition. When I start small seeds the size of lettuce or smaller, I don't think there is enough in the seed to get the plant going past the first sprout leaves. Do you add anything at any point? B) Mold every where. We want the seeds damp, but then mold comes and eats the seed. C) Should I be taking plants direct from seed cells into the ground or put them in intermediate pots?
All the nice features; a finger hole to easily push out the seedling, air slits along the corners, a home-gardener 6 pack to facilitate crop rotation. Oh...and so durable you can stand on the thing without crushing it which can give you years worth of usage.
This is so exciting! I’m starting my seeds indoors for the first time this year. Being in Zone 4b, it’s a must for most things and I’m hoping to save money by not buying transplants. So I’ve started onions,celery, and a few different flowers like impatiens and geraniums. I’m wondering if it’s necessary to transplant any of them to bigger pots before they go outside and how do you tell if it is needed? You’re the best! Love watching your videos!
Hi Angela. I’m in the same zone as you! I can answer some of your questions. First it depends on how much space you have in your seeds starting set up. If you have enough room you can start your larger plants in 3-4 inch pots. Things like tomato’s, peppers, cucumbers, squashes. They will be fine to stay in this size until they are ready to be planted outside. - unless you start them too early. Pay attention to how many weeks before the last frost the seed pack recommends to start. Also find out the date!! The size he is planting in are great for smaller plants- lettuce, kale, chard. If you have a smaller area planting in small cells and then potting up. For the roots- you want to plant outside or pot up between the roots circling the cell or the soil at the bottom being too loose. Hope that helps :)
Growing up my grandmother and my mom always bonded over gardening and I hoped to one day do the same with my mother but unfortunately I’ve realized that I definitely don’t have a green thumb... everything I’ve tried to grow and keep alive has died on me... :( But this year I’m determined to grow my green thumb and i just found your channel so I have a lot or learning to do!
I hate humidity domes they always cause mold issues for me so I am giving away all my humidity domes for free right now on craigslist. As for watering I always fill the tray with water, let the pots sit in that, then do a light misting on top to make sure that it becomes entirely moistened. Then plant the seeds. Watering from the top is silly and knocks the seeds around.
Oof! All sold out except 120 pack for $129.99... don’t have enough space to put that many plants. ** these look amazing & I will buy when there’s a smaller quantity available! The price is pretty great for the product & lifetime of use! Great job!
Just ordered my cell trays. Thanks. I have a 1020 72 cell tray, but tend to have problems growing things that germinate at different times. This should make things a lot easier.
It's much better to hydrate them BEFORE you add seeds. You will then have no movement of seeds with watering. I actually wet my soil before putting it in the trays (when I use cell trays). Then use a cell tray to make the indents. Put it on top of a filled one and press slightly. Lay seeds on top and then gently cover with a bit more soil. Water GENTLY and you'll only have to wet the soil that tops the seed.
I get a lot of seeds that germinate on their own in my virgin unprepared soil. They are so prolific that it drives me crazy. Since that happens, figure it can save costs by getting regular potting or garden soil and get great results. I even get my seeds from produce I’ve already eaten and enjoyed; like campari tomatoes.
Gonna start to sow next week indoors, early march the outside planting will happen. This year a heatwave in april wont prevent me from getting beans and peppers! Those plants germinated way too late last year. Got 1 Bean from 4 plants, 0 peppers. But this year will be great!
Hi Kevin, I just received a Peace Lily Plant and I was wondering if you could do a video about how to care for them. Like for instance how do you know when to repot and how to transfer to another pot.
Another good tip to ensure even watering for your seedings is to pre-moisten your soil before it goes in the trays! Learned that from Laura over at GardenAnswer.
Does your local school have a spot where students can plant veggies? Or can you grow in a little spot outside where you live? Gardening is in your future!!!
How very exciting! I hope you have a great time starting your first garden! You will learn so much about gardening, but also about patience and resilience and many other life lessons!
love the idea of the 6-cel tray... however I think your fans have bought the heck out of the 12 pack and 24 pack now all that is left is the bigger amounts and I won't need that many... so next year for me on those... but I think they will be worth the wait... Thanks for the tip!
what is the PAR light level for your indoor seedlings ? and how long is this maintained ? and , given how much stronger sunlight is what steps do you take to 'harden' your seedlings fot the transition outdoors ? and , who is your target audience for these 6-pack trays , given they sell for $59.99 ?
Kevin, do you know of anywhere with a one-of-everything seed packet for new gardeners? Like a seed packet that contains one of every kind of food plant, something that would bring new people into gardening without breaking the bank, and create the most wonderful experience in gardening for people gardening for the first time.
I have three of those seeds storage boxes! 😊 I told myself I don’t need any more seeds trays when I first saw this video. Then I placed the order two days later. 😂
Do you need to put them under a light right away? I couldn't start anything last year. I used potting mix, 4 inch pots, and 1 seed per tray. I started them under a 4 leg light right away. This year, I am using jiffy pellets, a tray, humidity dome, and right now they are top of the fridge. I read the very first stage you don't need anything but a dome, until the seeds sprout up and then you use a heat mat and lights. That's what I am doing. I just hope it's the right thing to do. I want a harvest from something I started!
Mate. You need to pack that soil into those cells. They just fell apart when you popped them out. I know you’ve seen Dowding pack his cells. You’re so gentle 😂 love those trays though. I’m going to order some now!
Great information! I don't have any trays yet, I need to get some of yours. I'm reusing cardboard egg cartons that I want to cut apart and plant as is this year. I hope it works, but these trays you have are really a great upgrade. Good work Kevin!
I wish I had known about these seed trays before I got the winstrip ones! Loving them so far, but would have loved the flexibility to be able to pull out portions of seedlings out of the humidity dome. Any suggestions on good larger nursery pots when the seedlings get too big for these trays?
your seed starting cells look awesome. I am trying out the biodome seed starting system this season so far I really like It the pellets are mad of Biodegradable foam .
Could you pre-moisten the seed starting mix? If yes, how wet should it be? My onions, lemongrass and rosemary seeds haven't germinated AT ALL. It's been about a month and a half :/
True Organic products don't contain environmental damaging peat. That is basic. In Britain our best-selling seed compost is made from waste sheep wool and composted bracken plants, Organic certified.
PRO-TIP: you can take a 10 x 20 Cells Tray, and cut it into 6-Cell Trays with a pair of scissors. :) If you were to take the tray vertically (20 high, 10 wide), you would cut 2-row & 3-columns twice, then end with 2-columns & 3-rows. Repeat until you've got your 6-cell trays. You can get up to 16 6-Cell Trays with that method, you'll be left with 2 spare cells. It's cheaper than buying individual 6-cell trays (30-40% on average).
Can you please post the full link to the seedling cells? The .bit url just tries to open another instance of the RU-vid app instead of taking me to the website. Would be ok if RU-vid didn't crash instantly
Hi Kevin, I am a subscriber and a huge fan of your videos. How can I buy you products in Europe? Are you planing an EU online shop sometime in the future? Love your raised beds, and am now stocked on your seed trays!
Love all your videos! I love plants but I don't have a green thumb! I'm from Texas and my husband is from Chicago...he takes the worlds HOTest 🚿 shower.....and he has allergies....what plant would you recommend me to put in our bathroom? Lol i cant screw anything into my ceiling like you did at ur new house...love the new house! Especially the backyard!
