Once again, after starting our seeds in smaller, deep containers, covered with plastic bread wrappers, I put them in our little portable indoor greenhouse to grow in a sunny, south-facing window in the living room. I love the little greenhouse as it not only keeps the seedlings nice and warm during the day but the humidity also stays up.
Notice in the photo how the clear plastic looks kind of white. That’s the droplets of humidity gathered on the plastic. This humidity keeps the surface of the soil in the containers moist so the few seeds that have not germinated go right ahead and pop up. Dryness is one of the prime reasons that seeds fail to germinate. Often folks think their seeds are “bad” because they don’t germinate. Usually it’s one of three causes instead: poor potting soil, dry seed starting soil, or soil that is too wet.
Our onions are up to five inches tall and will soon need a “hair cut.” I trim them back with scissors and that helps them get sturdy and fat instead of weak and too leggy. I may trim them twice in a growing season before they’re planted in the garden. By the way, I’ve got it on good report that the U.S. onion growers have contracted their entire onion crop to China this fall, so everyone might want to grow extra onions. The few commercial growers who aren’t members of the association will be charging more for their onions due to a small supply going to stores this fall. I know we’ll be sure to grow plenty again this year.
It’s funny, I went to the store yesterday and noticed pretty fresh asparagus (from Peru), onions and peppers (from Mexico), and garlic (from Chile), not to mention mushrooms (from India) and nuts (from Vietnam). I didn’t buy any of the above.
Thanks to the dozens of folks who have sent gifts of heirloom seed, honey, shelled pecans, cash to help with postage on sending the Hopi Pale Grey squash seeds (by the way, I’m getting really low on these; some orders will have to wait till fall), and other beautiful things. What wonderful people are in the BHM family! I appreciate each and every one of you. — Jackie
Thank you Jackie,
We don’t have a window like yours. Do you know of anyone fixes lights in that greenhouse you have? What would probably be the only way we can do it.
By the way, that advice regarding wrapping in a layer of plastic to warm up my bell pepper seeds worked!!! 24 out of the 36 are growing!!
Jon,
No I don’t. The plants get plenty of light from the south-facing window but I do turn the trays every couple of days because the plants tend to lean toward the sun.
In the indoor greenhouse, do you have any grow lights installed? I couldn’t tell by the picture you posted.
Sheryl,
Yeah, yeah. We still have snow. In fact, snow is getting to be a cuss word around here! But it is going nicely with temps in the low 40s during the day and freezing at night. When it melts like this, it soaks in instead of running off, which is what we need. We did hear a killdeer a few days ago!!! No robins yet, but I’m looking.
Linda,
I can not tell a lie; it was bought on sale. I got mine at our local L&M farm store but Menards carries them and just had them on sale for $14 with a mail-in rebate! I was sorely tempted to get another one—-or three, but was broke. Oh well, maybe they’ll come back on sale soon???
Cindy,
Petunia seed is like dust unless it is pelleted. The two causes of petunias not germinating are usually dryness or covering the seed. You need to press the seed/pellets down into the soil but leave them exposed to the light. Obviously they then need to remain moist or they quickly dry out and die. I use my bread wrapper/shopping bag to totally cover the tray to hold in the humidity. Then make sure the tray is warm enough. When in a cool area of the house the seeds either take too long to germinate or rot before germinating.
Duncan 151,
I cut my onions about in half and that seems to do the trick.
Oh it looks so wonderful and it must feel good getting ready for Spring. I know you can’t wait. What bothers me though is all that white stuff in the background! Brr
Was the little greenhouse homemade?
I have that little greenhouse too. It’s just wonderful! I am having trouble growing petunias since this is my first time. I will check the soil for dryness. Any other hints?
This is my first year growing onions, they are growing like weeds. How short do you cut them when you give them a, “haircut”?
I ordered onion seeds for the first time a month ago. I’m allergic to onions so I never grow them, but mom loves them in my zucchinni pickle relish, so I thought I’d try. Sounds like a got them just in time.
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