Seed Germination

[Paige Powell]

Do you all suggest germinating seeds in one of those "germination stations" or what have you had the most success with?

[TCLynx]

When it is reasonable starting seeds right in the gravel beds works well for me but then there is the danger that the cook will unknowingly pull out the small plants as he grabs big ones so I've also been known to start seeds in peat pellets on capillary matting with an edge draped into a water trough.  (I can't be expected to monitor the moisture in a germination station properly.)

[Paige Powell]

where can I get those supplies? :)

[TCLynx]

You might check the SHOP tab up at the top of the page to see what sorts of seed starting stuff Sylvia might have to offer.

 

I'm not sure where best to send you for peat pellets, you can probably get a tray full at many nursery centers or you could order any of the many seed starting methods used for hydroponics like rock wool, coir pellets, or the sponges or whatever suits you best I don't really know the best place to get those supplies though I have a catalog link here

Hydroponics products catalog link on this page

 

Capillary matting can be had from gardeners supply or I can get you some

Capillary matting

My seed starting shelf is briefly seen in my big system video

just past the seven minute mark.  I just put some pond liner on the shelf and set up some water flow through a trough along the edge of the shelf where I can hang the matting into the water to keep it moist.

Big system video

 

But you can always just put the seeds right into the gravel beds and they can germinate right there too.

[Todd Sowell]

Paige,

 

I have had good results using vermiculite. I got the idea from Murray Hallam. I put the seeds in pure vermiculite with water in the tray below them. The vermiculite soaks up the water as needed. We added a grow light and some seeds have germinated in less than a week! Vermiculite and plastic grow trays are pretty inexpensive

[Eric Warwick]

I had good results with perlite in a similar way with re-purposed containers--they were filled with perlite and held moisture for several days. Also 2 liter bottles with a wick and a hydroponic reservoir work well. The kale grown from these has done well in the dirt, I'm not sure about soil-less though.

Todd Sowell