Using a greenhouse means that I can start seedlings indoors earlier than we could start them in the ground outside. This requires a few extra tools and materials.
Starter pots – somewhere to put dirt, water, and a seed.
I have various seed starter trays and pots. One solution I have found is to save the small seedling pots that come from the stores. Most of these have four or six cells to a set. I can refill these with dirt and use them to start seeds. Since water drains quickly from these, I place them on trays to prevent them from drying to fast. This also prevents water from spilling too much.
Another solution is to reuse the plastic starter trays that require peat discs. Disc replacements can be purchased separately. These are much cheaper than replacing the whole seed starter set, tray and all. They come dehydrated and require a heavy watering before use. After they have enough water, the disc becomes a large plug of peat in a nylon case. They even have a hole in the top to put the seeds.
Starter pots – somewhere to put dirt, water, and a seed.
I have various seed starter trays and pots. One solution I have found is to save the small seedling pots that come from the stores. Most of these have four or six cells to a set. I can refill these with dirt and use them to start seeds. Since water drains quickly from these, I place them on trays to prevent them from drying to fast. This also prevents water from spilling too much.
Another solution is to reuse the plastic starter trays that require peat discs. Disc replacements can be purchased separately. These are much cheaper than replacing the whole seed starter set, tray and all. They come dehydrated and require a heavy watering before use. After they have enough water, the disc becomes a large plug of peat in a nylon case. They even have a hole in the top to put the seeds.
Plant Markers – someway to know what seed is in there.
So I remember what seed was planted where, I use seed marking stakes to display the names. These come in many sizes and shapes. The cheap plastic stakes are good choice as they are cheap and do not rust or rot. Also, if you plant the same items each year, they are reusable.
Here you can see I have reused some four and six cell seeding packs and a large seeding tray. All of these are from prior years.
So I remember what seed was planted where, I use seed marking stakes to display the names. These come in many sizes and shapes. The cheap plastic stakes are good choice as they are cheap and do not rust or rot. Also, if you plant the same items each year, they are reusable.
Here you can see I have reused some four and six cell seeding packs and a large seeding tray. All of these are from prior years.
Planters and pots.
I also start some seeds in decorative pots if I plan to keep them there. This works very well for basil and other small herbs. One cheap packet of assorted basil seeds produces some very good looking mixed arrangements with little effort. In addition to the fancy pots for the patio,I also keep every usable pot that I can get. If it holds dirt and water, I will probably try to grow something in it.
Last weekend and this weekend were perfect for working in the greenhouse and starting seeds. I have started many of the usual summer plants that grow in our garden. Cucumbers, various tomatoes, eggplant, summer squash, and zucchini are the usual plants I chose every year.
My greenhouse has many other tools that I have acquired or repurposed that did not cost very much. Some of the best tools I have are repurposed cookie sheets. These serve as trays for the small seed starter pots and other pots that tend to leak when watered. I first repurposed my own cookie sheets when the non-stock coating has come off. It worked so well that I got another one at Goodwill.
Another great tool is a small weather station. This shows the temperature, air pressure, and humidity in the greenhouse. It was also another cheap Goodwill find.
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