Tomato seedlings...

[Ponyman]

What do you folks say is the average seed germination rate of success you have? For example if you have 30 seeds, out of that 30 how many germinate and make it to seedlings? Granted they are all in a mini greenhouse environment and taken care of properly. Do you start them roughly 6-8 weeks before the last frost is past in your area? Just starting gardening on a larger scale and have never started my own seeds before so I would appreciate any tips you could give me! Also one last thing... garden area will be new and in an old horse pen... it has been one for several years. How will the ph be and do you think it will be alright or will I have to add anything? It mainly will contain tomato's and peppers with an occasional squash, pumpkin, cucumber, lettuce, carrot etc...

Thanks,
Ponyman

[zebraman]

Hey Ponyman;First of all most of my seed is saved (Fermented)from last year -a few years ago.I usually get 99-100% germination from my homegrown tomato seeds.This past year I received Tomato seeds from the USDA/Grin and they also had a near 100% germination rate.Everything you listed will do fine in the garden you have with 1 exception,the carrots.The ground will probably have a lot of nitrogen which will be bad for carrots and also will produce Lush Tomato plants without a lot of fruit set.I personally would plant tomatoes and Root Crops in another site.Everything else will grow to Wild Abandon!

[bookwormom]

tomatoes and carrots are supposed to like each other, but Zebra is right, radishes, carrots and the like, wait til next year and do nto fertilize the patch where you put them. cole crops would do well with your present environment. why not grow cabbages, red and green, early and late, savoy and chinese and a few brusselsprouts and kohlrabis? kale and rape will also do well. rape is our favorite cooked green.

[Smoky]

It totally depends on the plant, Ponyman. Onion seed for one, is very short-lived. Maybe they will live 2 yrs, at a reduced germination rate.
Speaking of which, that's about the same situation for all seeds (not the 2 yrs) but that they will get a little bit less viable each year as time goes on. As a rule, I plant MOST of my seeds every 3-4 years to get fresh seeds (plus the crop, lol). I have planted some seeds kept at room temps for 7-8 years and still get some plants.

[GrannySueD_in_IL]

Depends on a lot of things outside of your control.... how old they are, how mature they were when packaged, differences in soil/temp/moisture, etc...

For my main gardening seeds, I always buy from either SSE or Pine Tree... I have always gotten near to 100% germination - for over 10 years. One or two might not grow, but I started about 10 extras of everything like that anyway - and have no problem selling/giving away what I don't need.

I start mine in January normally, and transplant at least once before hardening off to set outside. Especially with tomatoes - gives an earlier harvest and a better head start. I never pay attention to what the packet says, and always start everything within about 2 weeks of each other, usually about now.

I start my seeds under shop lights on a table in the basement... DH built a small frame for me to hang plastic, just to keep the cats out of it, but that's it. I water with an old spray bottle. That's in addition to a tray underneath with pea gravel and water so it wicks up and encourages root growth.

I have started using a commercial flat with 244 holes to start seeds - it works well enough, but I still think flats are easier... And the flats don't need as much attention with the watering!

At one time or other, I've started just about everything except corn or carrots early - and had success... Folks say that things like musk melon and such don't transplant well - but I've never had a problem. I even start my cukes and zukes with the tomatoes... Sometimes, they will even have small fruit on them by the time they get outside - doesn't bother them a bit!

I keep a diary, too... What's planted, transplanted etc.. variety (I love trying new things all the time), and when they are set out... temps, watering, what dates things germinate - all of it. Its really simple if you develop a pattern, and they are fun to read later. Runs from the first tray planted in January through the last harvest in November (brussels sprouts, usually, lol).

Also helps to see what not to bother with in the future - either because I found something better, because the family won't eat it, or just because we don't need it anymore.

Hope this helps -

Sue

[leera]

I would wait until next year to plant the majority of your garden in that spot,I would spend this year with a cover crop,or some nitrogen loving plants.

Being it was a horse pen,you may also have a bit of a weed problem to deal with.

I would work up the area really well,this year and then this fall till in shredded dry leaves or other dry organic matter to help"fluff up" the soil and even out the nitrogen levels......

I started all my own plants last year,some of the seeds I used were 4-7 years old,and all came up well.

There are a lot of things that make a difference in germination rates though........

[Ponyman]

Thanks... I think I am gonna make that spot the kids garden so they can plant all the fun stuff like pumpkins, watermelons, sunflowers this year... it isn't a huge deal as I have plenty of land to grow everything else...

Thanks,
Ponyman