i'm a newbie- what do i need to sow my seeds in?

[Rikki Jean]

nak

i'm a gardening newbie, so i have tons of questions. first and foremost though, i need to know what i should sow my seed in (i mean soil-wise, not the container. ).

thanks!

[FarmerCathy]

Good organic potting soil (not Home Depot type brand, go to a nursery) or worm castings (worm castings are best, but a little expensive), perlite and compost. 1/3 of each and mix together.

[Rikki Jean]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

Good organic potting soil (not Home Depot type brand, go to a nursery) or worm castings (worm castings are best, but a little expensive), perlite and compost. 1/3 of each and mix together.

I'm going to start vermicomposting soon (still reading Worms Eat My Garbage), so in the meantime, I'll see what I can find for purchase. Dumb question- what is perlite? Also, since I have not started composting yet, can I buy some kind of compost?

I know, I know, I'm unprepared. I really didn't realize how much I was going to have to put into this before even getting started. I am sooo excited to start gardening, I'm just a little wet behind the ears!

[FarmerCathy]

Just go to your local nursery or farm supply store and they should have all that. The perlite is for holding moisture so your seedlings don't dry out so fast. It's actually lava. My ds likes to eat it. I hope that isn't bad. I try not to let him, but he just takes it right out of my pots and munches.

[Rikki Jean]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

Just go to your local nursery or farm supply store and they should have all that. The perlite is for holding moisture so your seedlings don't dry out so fast. It's actually lava. My ds likes to eat it. I hope that isn't bad. I try not to let him, but he just takes it right out of my pots and munches.

cool, thanks. sounds like something my ds would do...:

oh, and a girl in my playgroup who works at home depot wants to know why you said not to go there for the potting soil!

[FarmerCathy]

They have really crappy potting soil and compost. Seriously. Lanna and I both have had bad results with thier potting soil. Pretty much you get what you pay for. You pay a little more to get the good stuff. I'm not trying to diss Home Depot, but thier potting soil lacks what good organic soil doesn't. I do like thier shop lights though.

[Rikki Jean]

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

They have really crappy potting soil and compost. Seriously. Lanna and I both have had bad results with thier potting soil. Pretty much you get what you pay for. You pay a little more to get the good stuff. I'm not trying to diss Home Depot, but thier potting soil lacks what good organic soil doesn't. I do like thier shop lights though.

Thanks! I figured there was a good reason!

As it turns out, a lady I know is a master gardener, and she sells her own vermicompost, so I may buying some from her...

Oh, how I am so worried that I'm going to put so much effort into all of this and it's going to flop! I really need to have more confidence in myself!

[Aletheia]

Rikki Jean, I'm a newbie to starting seeds this year too! I decided to buy the seed starter tray with the stuff already in the cells. That was three days ago, and my little brocolli seedlings are already coming up! I just read the post about them getting leggy, though, so need to go readjust the desk lamp that is 2 feet over them or so.

Good luck to both of us!

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by Rikki Jean

Thanks! I figured there was a good reason!

As it turns out, a lady I know is a master gardener, and she sells her own vermicompost, so I may buying some from her...

Oh, how I am so worried that I'm going to put so much effort into all of this and it's going to flop! I really need to have more confidence in myself!

Awesome! Vermicompost is so good. Yeah, I understand not wanting to flop, it happens to most gardeners the first year or two, but you have good info to get a good crop. I highly recommend buying or getting from the library "The Gardener's A-Z Guide to Growing Organic Food" or using these web companion planting guides. http://www.ghorganics.com/page2.html http://www.tinkersgardens.com/vegeta...onplanting.asp I think it is the best method to organic gardening. It keeps the bugs away from your plants. Like squash, if you sow a radish at the base and let it grow it will keep the striped cucumber beetle (which damages any type of squash) away. I also plant basil and african marigolds next to my tomatoes to keep away the bugs.

I think you will do just fine this year. Just keep reading about any and all things you intend to plant. They also have lots of info here too. http://www.groworganic.com/library_planting.html

[FarmerCathy]

Originally Posted by Aletheia

Rikki Jean, I'm a newbie to starting seeds this year too! I decided to buy the seed starter tray with the stuff already in the cells. That was three days ago, and my little brocolli seedlings are already coming up! I just read the post about them getting leggy, though, so need to go readjust the desk lamp that is 2 feet over them or so.

Good luck to both of us!

Petting them or using an oscillating fan for 20 minutes a day work the best to keep them strong and from going leggy. Going leggy is more from the stems getting too high without strengthing by the wind pushing them back and forth than from light.

[Rikki Jean]

Thank you so much for the links Cathy! I really appreciate your time and info!

Originally Posted by FarmerCathy

Petting them or using an oscillating fan for 20 minutes a day work the best to keep them strong and from going leggy. Going leggy is more from the stems getting too high without strengthing by the wind pushing them back and forth than from light.

Two questions- 1) What exactly does "leggy" mean? and 2) By petting, do you mean literally petting, like petting a dog?

Okay, I'm off to post some questions about weeds...