Answering 18 of Your Seed Starting Questions!

[@epicgardening]

Timestamps for Questions: 0:21 - How to know when to start seeds? 1:18 - How do you plan your seed starting? 1:52 - What seed companies do you recommend? 2:06 - What are good beginner seeds to grow? 2:59 - Do you plant in trays or larger pots? 3:55 - Do you start all seeds indoors? 4:48 - How long do you keep your seeds indoors? 5:28 - Do you need a seedling heat mat? 6:13 - What are the best grow lights for seed starting? 8:02 - Do you use timers? 8:45 - What is your favorite seed starting system? 9:57 - Do you use the same soil for starting all seeds? 10:10 - What seed starting mix do you use? 10:38 - Do you use peat pellets or soil blocks? 11:45 - How many seeds do you plant per hole? 12:15 - How to prevent leggy seedlings? 13:03 - What causes stunted growth in seedlings? 13:57 - What causes mold or fungus in soil when starting seeds?

[@werftv4580]

ah.. sun.. that thing my yard lacks.. lol.. get it dude.. nice work

[@learningtomomma1919]

Great vid! Really helpful. Do you have a vid on how to treat fungus or molds on the soil? Thanks a lot!

[@DamarisNeyra]

Can I get a link to the seed starting tray you use?

[@laurafrey5244]

Great videos!!! I've watched hundreds of gardening videos over the past two years, and just came across your channel. Love the style of your videos and the educational value! Great job!!!

[@braedythebus2018]

What a genuinely cool guy man. Thanks for bookmarking the time stamps.

[@50Street21]

Not only am I envious of your knowledge of horticulture and skills necessary to look after plants . . . I also really admire your diction, Kevin. You explain everything so eloquently. Thanks, Darryl

[@Arkish78]

50Street21 totally agree, he’s my favorite gardening video guy. And I like that he gets to the point right away. Fun to watch.

[@2bNot]

Same here. Not a second wasted watching this one.

[@aanawenjigewin]

Beans are my “ego boast” plants. If all else fails, I can rely on my beans to grow and make me feel like I’m a good gardener.

[@epicgardening]

Hahaha so true

[@PamsPrettyPlants]

Radish makes me feel like a master gardener 😂

[@wsullivan]

So true! same here!

[@DavidS-vi2xn]

gosh! I need the ego boost too. Have you tried spinach? Seems like a good candidate for the ego.

[@ananm3442]

I'm about to start my seeds in my very first greenhouse. My question is Do I set the grow lights right a way? How long do I keep my seeds on the heating pad? Do I keep them on the mat until is time to transplant? Please help 💚

[@AlasdairILoveOxford]

Just wanted to comment that I am really impressed not just with your content but also your diction and presentation style. I have recently started setting up my first garden and have been watching and reading lots for ideas and advice. You are doing such an EPIC job!

[@sahblay1060]

me: watching this in 2021 Kevin: “it’s 2020, it’s January” me: oh noooooo

[@Uncle_Buzz]

2022.

[@TheFlowerQueen]

It's so bizarre because you know what insanity is just about to hit him (and everyone else)

[@zellafae]

@@TheFlowerQueen at least he had his garden to help keep him sane and preoccupied

[@kcl060]

Same thing I said...oh, he had no clue what was coming

[@vaevictis6990]

2024 😂 vid aged well

[@JennyNobody]

Your videos are just the bee's knees. I just started a bunch of seeds based on info from this and some of your other videos! Super stoked for those little sprouts to start peeking out!

[@PamsPrettyPlants]

Watching you plant seeds while I plant seeds. IM SO PUMPED ITS TIIIIIME

[@epicgardening]

IT'S TIME BB

[@isabellelaval7294]

WOW! I'm watching from France and I'm glad I watched your video. I'm barely 42 seconds into the video and I've already discovered something important for the beginner gardener I am. I had no idea you could determine your hardiness zone. If it's done in the States I'm pretty sure I should be able to find the equivalent info here. France has so many different climents but I'll manage. Good luck to everyone and merci bien for the video.

[@epicgardening]

You can do conversions for France for sure! Perhaps the French government also has "county extension offices" like we do here in the USA that can provide info

[@isabellelaval7294]

@@epicgardeningThank you for your encouragement. I can tell you retirement is great! I'm a 71 year old retired English teacher and now I have time to do all kinds of new things like learning to plant seeds. Keep up the good work.

[@evanmassimino3416]

Did you ever get around to finishing that spreadsheet? I live close to you so that'd be an amazing resource to have!! :D

[@lenazagorodny1399]

I tried seed starting for the first time last year, and it felt like such a headache. Told myself I wouldn't do it again, but I have so many seeds left over. So here we go again... 😄

[@zeppypaige]

Lena Zagorodny don’t give up! I had a few nonstarts as well but I’m getting the hang of it and it SO rewarding!

[@epicgardening]

You got this.

[@DaveE99]

With the right powerful grow light it ain’t bad

[@DaveE99]

Capillary mats are also how to automate seed watering.

[@dalebailey754]

I’m definitely balling on a budget, as my main reason for wanting a garden is the fact that I have compounded financial strains, such as: 1. Purchased a home with a higher mortgage than my previous apartment rent. 2. Demoted at work when I needed a transfer in order to move into my home. 3. Grocery inflation. So, I have less money, yet higher expenses. I can’t afford a bunch of fancy anything. I have leftover pots I can plant in, I can afford the cheap grow trays from Walmart or tractor supply, and I was given fence pickets and other lumber to construct raised beds. I also have there darned gophers or moles or voles or whatever you call them popping up all over my yard, so I need to purchase hardware cloth in an attempt to keep them out of the beds.

[@JonahGillis]

Perfect timing, here I am looking at all my seedling trays with a head full of questions and check my phone to see this video!

[@epicgardening]

I got ya covered!

[@jacquelynhorton4914]

I've been following your channel for quite some time- but this is my first year starting seeds! Great videos, clear and concise.

[@kRis-rn6so]

Thanks for helping feed our families🍀

[@marianamunoz6075]

Can’t wait to see your Google Sheet seed planning chart!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@riskiecosplay]

Fantastic video. Lots of information that is right to the point without endless prattling I've found in too many sites. Thank you, I will be visiting often.

[@sherimatukonis6016]

They way I learned... I planted everything and watched what happened and adjusted accordingly.

[@jaimiegauvin4147]

Your videos are so informative, thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge! I'm trying to start my own garden for the first time this year. I started my seeds at the end of March; some seedlings have already died but some are growing strong. Your video have helped me a lot!

[@SaludAmoryPaz-MiCasitaVerde]

I know the young millens enjoy the live videos , but I am old school and love your videos. Will you be doing both a video and a live on the same topics?? I am a new homesteader-gardner and want to be just like you !! I purchased my little acre and finished my green house and I have been following you :) Such a great motivation for me ! thank you

[@2bNot]

Communication skills excellent. Efficient delivery of concise, useful information. Pleasant voice. Very glad i watched it and now feel inspired. Thank You😊😁🙋

[@FinehomesofNewHampshire]

Spring is almost here! Thank you! 🙏

[@epicgardening]

You bet boss

[@SmallGardenQuest]

Hardiness zone determines the lowest average temperature in the winter. To know when to sow the best thing to do is to google last frost date and the name of your city. Than you can plant accordingly depending when the last frost date is.

[@jennybaez-cepeda4919]

Small Garden Quest god ur awesome. Lol 😂 new gardener

[@SmallGardenQuest]

@@jennybaez-cepeda4919 Thank you :)

[@theeyetest9833]

You are THE MAN!!!! This video is JAM PACKED with Great information!!! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@DaNortWoods]

So glad I found your channel! Just bought my first house and it had a raised bed garden in the backyard. Your channel will help me immensely!

[@Neenerella333]

If you are in the desert U.S. southwest, especially the low desert(below 3500feet), please check out Native Seeds/SEARCH. These are native and heirloom varieties with a hundred or more years of providing food in that area. Hardiness 10a. October direct sew roots, bulbs, tubers and greens. Starting fruit bearing seeds indoors is rather futile, as there are minimal frost days in January. Direct seed in pots or the ground in late February to get fruit for May and June. You can also direct seed in the August monsoon for Three Sisters-corn, beans, squash.

[@lisacharron5973]

This helped me so much! As a relatively new gardener I’ve made almost all the mistakes listed here so I needed all these answers. So inspired to get it right! Thank you!!!

[@Claudia-gv6lf]

Intro: "it's 2020, it's January"... I wish we all could go back to January 2020 and just stay there, suspended in time :(

[@thatguyonyoutube7567]

I’ve really been enjoying your videos. I’ve got zero gardening experience, but with all of your content here I’m confident that I’ll be able to create something nice for this coming season. What are your thoughts on a greenhouse vs raised beds in the open? I’m on a half acre in Ohio.

[@simplifygardening]

Great advice and tips Kevin. This will help loads of folks great stuff

[@epicgardening]

Thanks Tony!

[@noabaron]

So happy I found your channel, your videos are amazingly helpful. Thank you!

[@rachelshald142]

Rewatching your seed series, and still love it! I do have a couple questions. 1- Did you ever publish your spreadsheet? If so, where can I find it? 2- You seem to be a fan of Baker Creek, and I've enjoyed what I've gotten from them in the past. However, I have heard that there may be some ethical issues with how they use their voice and who they support. Do you have any insight on that? Are they still a good choice?

[@AnimusZen]

LED full spectrum grow lights are the only way to go now. Mars Hydro & Spider Farmer are the top choices currently.

[@ryanwinfield8582]

What I transplanted recently is purple ruffles basil and candy cane peppers in the same wood pot. Both are very cool

[@MyWastelessLife]

This is so informative, just downloaded my zone planting calendar ☺️

[@epicgardening]

Good!

[@delucastudios3097]

where

[@JNYC-gb1pp]

How many seeds per cell? - I thought a pack of seeds were for each cell and learned that i was an idiot

[@irmadiaz2838]

Just what I needed just went to get seeds and was looking around to see where to start thank you!! 😁😁

[@epicgardening]

Good luck Irma!

[@peachykeen7634]

If you’re in the SouthEast... best seed company is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange!

[@lizwetherington1618]

It is now January 2022. Almost EVERYTHING has changed in the pandemic!!! Thanks for the great video that still holds true today....not much changes in gardening does it?

[@dwrecktheanimal]

January 2020.. what a trip

[@bobsiddoway]

Great video with to-the-point answers!!!

[@GardeningWithSkinnyBoyRandy]

Thank you

[@elderyehudahwatchmanoftheg8425]

Hey Kevin, I want to thank you for pushing the incoming of the galvanized raised beds. I have quite a few coming. And when I sae quite a few, I mean a lot in different sizes. Again, thanks buddy. Take care .

[@epicgardening]

Thanks my friend, love your videos

[@elderyehudahwatchmanoftheg8425]

@@epicgardening Than you as well.

[@erinbsullivan444]

Great video! I had a terrible time starting seeds indoors last year. I didn’t know what to do with them so I just threw them out. Hopefully, I can get it done this year!🤞🏼

[@doodahgurlie]

Such a great, informative video! The last part about discoloration on the top of the soil totally applies to me as I tend to over water everything, which explains why my plants tend to die. LOL

[@epicgardening]

Yeah it's a very common issue!

[@virsapiensfortisest922]

Me too 😢 We’re helicopter plant parents. 😂

[@melissatrible4214]

...any advice on inexpensive, neglect-friendly seed starting?... I do a lot of gardening for my mom, who lives in a different city than me. So, obvs, I'm not tending seedlings very much, I need to be able to set them up, then ignore them (other than a watering schedule identical to the adult plants) for up to a month at a time, sometimes more. And my budget for gardening tends to be in the $10/month range. A couple of specifics that may be relevant: 1. We live in Arizona. So, high heat, low humidity most of the year. 2. Two main growing locations: the atrium (usually a bit warmer in the winter and a bit cooler in the summer than outside, much higher humidity, but basically no direct sunlight, though for an indoor location it's fairly bright, and watered I think once a week or so), or in pots outside (fairly large pots full of a mix of potting soil and compost, partial to full sun, watered every few days depending on the season). In both cases, she checks the soil with a (cheap) water meter, and doesn't water if it reads as "wet", but does water otherwise. I also have some planting areas that are in the (fairly unimproved, ie hard, alkaline, and not very organic-rich) ground, that get automatically watered, but aren't checked very often. When I have tried to start seeds in the past (mostly in pellets, in some kind of covered tray so they wouldn't just dry out, and in the atrium), they tended to, well, mold. My mom would be perfectly willing to, eg, fill a reservoir when she goes in to water, but not to do something like mist the plants every few days or whatever. Any suggestions?

[@evec.1933]

Great video and always relevant. Love your channel. Thank you for the generous sharing of your knowledge.

[@veronicapurcell6239]

Great, thorough information. Has been very helpful in my gardening hobby

[@paultaylo1036]

Great video. Your channel is amazing 👍🏻

[@ZoeChing1319]

These tips are epic! ;) Really appreciate all the info. Also I have been listening to your podcast since last year and only now did I realize you have a youtube channel so thank you for mentioning it!

[@epicgardening]

Oh wow no way, thanks so much!

[@falkharvard8722]

Loads of useful tips! Thanks

[@kfetter9046]

Wow! I love your videos, but this is my favorite so far. I have always wanted to grow from seed, but never had any success in doing so. Now I have a lot more information to give it another try.

[@barbll000]

Excellent and really informative video. Thanks for sharing.

[@epicgardening]

Thank you Barbara!

[@chickenpotpie4045]

Bro, literal perfect timing, I just picked up my Gorilla Glue and Hindu Kush seeds yesterday and was planning to germinate them today. My last attempt at germination straight up failed and I wasted some quality seeds cause I'm an idiot, so I'm looking forward to learning something new.

[@epicgardening]

No way, that's awesome. Yeah hemp can be a bit finicky!

[@chickenpotpie4045]

​@@epicgardening I think it might have gotten a bit too cold for my seeds overnight, either that or the paper towel was too damp, either way, I ordered a seed starter tray and a heating mat and I'm gonna wait on that to start my seeds, they cost too much to waste any more lol Also, quick question if you could shed some light on this, I've started seeds before using the paper towel method and it's worked, but things were illegal then so I never let that plant grow any more than enough to give me a couple pretty fan leaves. It's legal here now, and this would be my first legal grow, except the seeds I got last month refused to germinate. I did the typical method, soak overnight, then ziploc bag in a dark place for a couple days, no dice. ' I spoke to the suppliers and they said these seeds *shouldn't* be soaked, just planted straight to soil under bright light. I'm doing exactly as I was told, but it seems counterintuitive to everything I've learned about germination so far, do you have a video on different germination methods? Because I apparently did the complete opposite that I should have done, yet every other seed I've ever tried to germinate by the soak method has worked easily enough, what makes these seeds special?

[@angelsullivan8725]

@@chickenpotpie4045 they're probably pre germinated if they said that

[@elenikaleri]

Chicken Pot Pie this I not a quick question

[@brodyllc]

your content is great man! Your super easy to listen too, and full of info! keep up the great work dude.

[@RFabs89]

Hey Kevin. Great videos, keep up the good work. Question: What are your thoughts on full spectrum vs blue/red (only) spectrum lights? The obvious difference is that blue/red lights produce plants are shorter but denser with much bigger leaves, while the full spectrum will produce more nature looking slightly more leggy plants with smaller leaves. My point of reference is primarily chilli plants. Thanks Best regards, Robin

[@ethanletzer3507]

January 2020 you say??? Well get ready my friend cuz your about to have a bumpy ride!!!

[@amnewt1640]

I hopefully have a quick question. I started several different types of veggies in the same tray but they are all growing at different rates and some are so tall I can’t keep the others high enough to my grow lights. What do people do for that? Do I need separate trays? This is my first time starting seeds so thank you for what you do!

[@noneyobizness3201]

[@byankashomestead8038]

Excellent! Just in time!

[@epicgardening]

[@byankashomestead8038]

@@epicgardening do you by chance keep track of what you grow, what variety, etc?

[@mary-graceellington4459]

Thank you so much for going through all of this information.

[@epicgardening]

You're welcome!

[@MikeShamberg]

Have you released the google spreadsheet you mentioned in here? Would love to see it!

[@myfairyterracegarden]

Good information thanks for sharing

[@epicgardening]

Thanks for watching!

[@bigjohn6458]

ground cinnamon is good for fungal control

[@barbarastefani254]

Thank you

[@ginetteco]

this video was great and super helpful

[@epicgardening]

Glad to hear :)

[@laartje24]

1:40 I was just wondering today if I could grow chart in bags. Seems like I got a bonus question aswerd in this video.

[@McFlysGarage]

Wish I had found this weeks ago. Going to redo my seedlings under my LED shop light.

[@mailekarris8034]

What are your thoughts on using egg cartons or egg shells to start seeds.

[@groundhopeunder717]

Would you still consider using the seedlings that had mold around them?

[@lisaespiritu2901]

Lots of great info!

[@epicgardening]

Thanks!

[@Stella737E]

💖

[@Mochi88981]

Do you add water at the bottom the tray before the seed come out ?

[@gardeningmadeeasy5442]

Can you just use regular potting mix to grow seedlings?

[@pbrock11]

Kevin,,, I had thougt seeds not sown need to be started in smallish containers. root development predicates the need to 'pot up' one of more times.. you had a 6.5' inch pot in hand for germinating.. is there a vid avail to detail that work around.. thanks

[@CM_0912]

So I just started my seeds indoors using cups. I used the wrong soil. I have them in outdoor garden soil. Do you think I will get effective germination?

[@gardeningmadeeasy5442]

Can you just use regular potting mix to grow seedlings?

[@lighthousetravelers2246]

Greetings, Kevin... quick question was the spreadsheet ever released? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Thanks in advance.

[@debbie0greer164]

When I have four true leaves and plant them outside. The pest chew them. Is it better to up plant and place when they are bigger?

[@paularaulinaitis3068]

Question. How long do you leave the plastic cover on your GrowEase seed starting kits? Meaning, when is it time to remove it completely.

[@edenisok894]

Started my tomatoes plants a little early. They’re probably half a month away from being able to plant in the garden but the weather will be too cold to plant anything for the next 2 months.

[@johncavaliere3837]

Hi how are you. Can you tell me where I can buy those good seed starting trays please.

[@yogithetruth4569]

What do you do if you have only a heat mat and mo lights, just the sun? My seedlings burned when I put them in the sun, so how long should the be in the sun?

[@BlazePDX]

Recently joined the indoor sewing garden and bought some seedling or starter planting soil. The potting soil feels super dry, is this normal? It feels like it may be having somewhat of a hard time holding moisture. I bought it from a reputable place that deals in soils and growing.

[@tinaong4422]

Do you recommend covering the seeds with plastic while it hasn't germinated yet? I've seed that it helps keep the moisture inside

[@m1ndflowmaticgaddy209]

I tried sprinkling ground cinnamon as a preventive for seedling if I see some sort of fungus growing on my seedlings in growing...

[@moirallison]

How do you treat pests? Like aphids or those small flies? They loved my seedlings and ruined a lot of them :(

[@MyWastelessLife]

Follow up question, how do you take out seedlings that are ready to be planted from the seeding tray without damaging or disturbing the other seedlings that still need to stay in the tray? You mentioned it in your igtv video with Charles downing, but what do you mean by or how do I identify "true leaf" growth in seedlings and is that when I should start transplanting them

[@epicgardening]

I make sure the soil is moist and use a knife to slide into the side of one cell and pop it out. True leaves are the leaves that come AFTER the first leaves you see on the seedling

[@MyWastelessLife]

@@epicgardening thank you!

[@pinksalt1057]

If you start your tomato plant indoors and in the beginning of autumn can you grow your plant large and healthy to promote large ready to produce plants?

[@UNVACCINATED20]

Is pest moss and perlite or sand a good mix for strawberry seeds?

[@TheUltimateAcresllc]

Wicked awesome tips. Great production. #Keepupthegreatwork

[@melissahope5796]

Is it okay to mix in ground cinnamon in your seed starting mix? To help keep bacteria and mold down later?

[@clarencehibst4500]

can we use coconut coir for wicking the water? what other can we use?

[@cherylheyres4411]

Hi there! I am currently in Doha Qatar and started planting potatoes, leeks, basil, cauliflower , lettuce, mint radish and tomatoes. Now the weather is so crazy hot (108 Fahrenheit) would you advice to put my plants indoors during day time and take them out during night time? Or should I just leave them out and water them 2x a day??? I really need help.

[@chrispolk7346]

How do you use grape seed extract to remove fungus? What strength, do you mix it with water (what ratio) and spray? Please advise. Thank you so much for your great videos!

[@noneyobizness3201]

found this after researching the same question you posed here.. www.trueleafmarket.com/products/mold-control?variant=40543778504 seems like a few drops (4-5) to a quart of water can even help destroy the mould

[@Goalsuae]

Is it possible to figure out your zone if you lice outside the USA? Is there a similar scheme for international locations?

[@katrinamac853]

Do you have the garden spreadsheet done yet???

[@milissaleatherwood6837]

Do you have a recommendation for someone from pacific northwest that does gardening videos? I live your videos but your region grows completely different than mine does.

[@suzanneobedzinski9454]

Thank you so very much for all your effort and for sharing your knowledge. I noticed that you did not up-pot. Do you simply plant in larger cells so you do not have to do that?

[@andru5054]

Sorry if this is a silly question but is it safe to stare into the lights like you did at 6:51? I work with LED's a lot at 44W and I've noticed my vision going a bit bad the past few months

[@varkeyabraham]

Great Videos Kevin! Thank you for sharing. Do you have the google sheet to plan planting beds?