Gardening | Starting Seeds The Right Way

[@oceansoul3694]

I've been starting seeds indoors for 45 years, and had great results and success with the old ABS systems from Gardener's Supply, but they don't make them anymore and I've now had great success with the small trays I bought form you last year. So I'm happily waiting for my 162 5-pack with trays...I'm looking forward to a great garden with all the wonderful help, tips and tricks from you and Sheila. Thank you for Row by Row, and all the info on the website. And Good Luck to you both this gardening season.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks for sharing

[@ginninadances]

Wiccan mat :) I love to hear them talk

[@pamelaroden5513]

I use the little plastic things that come in pizza boxes when we order out delivery pizza. They work to hold the pizza off the top of the box, and they work well to help your plants drain who knew.

[@LizEudy]

I see this one is a year old. I really enjoy your videos and they are always informative. Your advice is usually spot on, in my opinion. In this case, I will say that you can use two pieces of aluminum foil on the sides of a shop light to get the exact same effect. Reflects light straight down. 30 second fix. I got an led shop light for $12.50 that came with the bulb. Also, I do bottom water in small cells with small seeds (brassicas, etc.) so the seed doesn't get pushed down in cell and lost. Also keeps from accidentally washing out small seedlings. The water wicks up and you can see the top is wet after about 20 minutes. Then you just dump rest out. It definitely does get the seed wet, though.

[@JeanneKinland]

Good tutorial video. Another thing that is helpful to prevent leggy plants is to have a fan and good circulation especially in a basement. Need to control humidity and temp.

[@beeintentional7246]

Hoss seeds have the best germination rate! ❤ will continue to purchase.

[@thewindsniper]

Yeah man, JJ here I use your 162 tray for my hot peppers, your trays are very sturdy and i like them for there thermal characteristics they heat up well even if you stack them, got a tip for germinating peppers especially hot varieties, everyone more than likely has a shot glass or two around the house so if have peppers that you are about to loose hope on ever see light. Water as you normally would, then take your shot glass and cover the seed and act like it's not there just keep a normal watering schedule, the plastic shot glasses in the party section work well. If you see green well you did it! Works well for the super hots thanks, long time fan and customer from Grady Co Ga

[@tommathews3964]

Great stuff, Greg! Thanks for helping educate us and making available the resources we need!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Appreciate it, Tom!!

[@COWELLGIRL]

Very nice info

[@deborahjennings4119]

I have really enjoyed my 162 trays! Much easier to deal with when it's time to transplant!

[@petlover071]

Thanks for the idea of raising the seed starter from the bottom tray. I have both of those items, and was having issues with overwatering.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad I could help!

[@gfutube1]

Excellent

[@Bama_J]

Evening y’all! Me too!

[@melvinreeves3674]

Thanks for all your good information

[@gardeningwithhoss]

You are very welcome! :)

[@petlover071]

Thank you for the info about leaving the grow light on. I thought I had to turn it off .. I think I will just leave it on all the time now. LED lights aren't going to use hardly any electricity.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad I could help

[@Hatfield_Country]

Awesome video for anyone who wants to start seeds!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad you think so!

[@roberttillotson6861]

If your heat mat has thermostat you can go more then ten above Also, you can bottom water until medium is moist, then place 162 on new tray that does not have water.

[@gregmartinsask]

Thumbs up Hoss

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks, Greg! Appreciate ya!

[@Chris-op7yt]

we finally have hot weather in January, yuck :) but need the heat, after having a very extended winter, right past spring. those cell trays, which i managed to buy from Hoss Tools, are a big change in the way i used to start seeds. From cell trays seedlings straight into ground when ready, and I buy commercial local bulk plug mix here, instead of hopeless bark based expensive seed starting mixes and playing with pots for seedlings. i poke some depressions into the wetted mix and make sure seeds are covered with mix and wont wash out, and dont worry about trying to have some only 1mm deep, which is not realistic.

[@nanaslittleloves5782]

Thank you Greg 😊

[@82Julian]

Thanks for makes gardening easy Greg 💪god bless u.s.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

My pleasure

[@kriswhite1344]

Great information thanks

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@scottbaruth9041]

I start all my plants inside on metro racks like in this video. Couple helpful hints. 1)Vermiculite or perlite work equally well as top dressing over seeds. 2) use a cheap plastic bug sprayer to mist your seeds. It won't wash the perlite away. 3) Buy and use temperature regulators with each heat pad. 4) permanently fix your lights up high, move your plants to the light, not the lights to the plants. I use extra seed trays and cardboard spacers to "stack" seed trays like you would baking pans with my plants on top. As the plants grow, it's easy to remove spacers and lower plants. 5) Even with plastic "domes" mist your unsprouted seed every other day as you do get dry spots. 6) Pull the heat mats and domes ASAP when you have decent germination, or they will get leggy. If not all plants (like onions) are all sprouted, mist undomed trays daily until sprouts are all up. They will continue sprouting w/o domes or heat. 7) Bottom water. Flood your tray 3/4 of the way full of water. I flood a least 4-6 trays at At a time. Wait about 15 minutes and tip each tray gently into a 5 gallon bucket and drain well. You recycle your water this way, know everything is well watered, plus you never want to leave any standing water on the roots. When more fresh water is needed I add some liquid fertilizer, nothing goes waisted, plants grow evenly, strong, and dark green. Last thing, satarting seeds inside allows you to start heat sensitive plants like summer lettuce anytime you want. Good luck, great video!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks Scott

[@nolawarren3560]

Painter cones could work.

[@TatehMateh]

Awesome video. I think this will help me be more successful at germinating! Thank you!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Glad it was helpful!

[@AnnieFarmerFarm]

Thanks for sharing about the leggy plants do i use a heat pad inside to with the light~!

[@thewindsniper]

I would for certain crops like hot peppers, okra, eggplant they need 90 degree or better, but other wise you should be good with average house temp 70-75

[@AnnieFarmerFarm]

@@thewindsniper Thank you so much Annie~!

[@jeanniewright2554]

Great tutorial, Greg! Thanks!!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

My pleasure!

[@idahohoosier8989]

Boy, I'll tell y'all. Last year my back was so bad and I didn't do plant starts. Huge mistake. I might well have just not planted anything. I can't start anything till end if March, mid April up here in freeze farming. Ha. Blessings, julie

[@cjr4497]

Last year I direct seeded my okra and filled the divots with pearlite just like I was doing it in a seed tray. All my seeds popped up within a day of each other. Thinking that was just a fluke, I just direct seeded the normal way this year. I got decent germination, but everything came up randomly. I have plants a good 2 weeks apart. Lesson learned, I am sticking with the pearlite method. I am in South Louisiana and garden in raised beds and high rows to clay soil and pour drainage. Your flat gardens give me anxiety, lol.

[@Chuchonation]

Well I think when you bottom water you only let the water sit for about 15 minutes then you return the excess water back into your can . Not let it sit there until it evaporates.

[@DR1CHECK]

Spend the money on the proper grow light for indoor growing. I tried cutting every corner to save some $$ and failed every time. The 162 Tray is a game changer for me too. A sturdy great product.

[@LizEudy]

I bought a shop light for $12.50 and put aluminum foil on the sides to reflect the light down. Works great and lots cheaper.

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

I'm chomping at the bit to start my seeds, but I know it's to early and I don't have a green house.

[@allantrafford6262]

I bought the 5 pack of 162 seed starting trays and the hoss brand seed starting mix a few weeks ago. What a great system. My seedlings have never been go organized and so easy to grow. Definitely a must product.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That is awesome!

[@KrazyKajun602]

That's what I like about this channel. you say it like it is and honest on the mistakes you made and give it to the people so they don't make the same mistakes. What brand is those 12 and 24 cell trays? they don't look like proptek and not as stiff as the 162 and 338 trays?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

here is link to all our seed starting supplies, Those come from company called Garland. hosstools.com/product-category/garden-supplies/seed-starting-supplies

[@jerrycansgibbons2417]

Hi Greg, Captain Jerry When using the the fertilizer injector do you have to mix the 20-20-20 or for that matter all of the fertilizers in the canister first before you start fertilizing your plants ?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

That is correct

[@budreynolds216]

Just ordered a kitchen seed starting step-up. Does the trays that come with it have dividers in it?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

no, they are four seeding trays with holes

[@budreynolds216]

@@gardeningwithhoss how do you keep the plants separated?

[@markoliver4194]

I like the field videos 👍

[@charliesmith9528]

What mixture of soil and other things do you use for growing the plants,,ive tried to use coco coir,,peat moss and perlite along with a good potting soil and it works decent..luckily i discovered why all my plants were leggy,,putting a timer on grow light fixes it..also what bag fertilzor is best for overalll veg garden,,i been using 10-10-10 except for watermelons and i use 20 per cent

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We use the products below. hosstools.com/product/hoss-premium-seed-starting-mix/ hosstools.com/product/black-gold-seed-starting-mix/

[@judybunn2744]

was wondering is your seed starting mix sterile or do you feel it is needed....I have always used a sterile potting mix with extra perlite in it....

[@gardeningwithhoss]

No, it is not and do not feel it is needed,

[@brittanyscutecrochets]

With your 162 trays do you need to move them up to something bigger before transplanting outside? I’ve been wanting to try your trays for a while but I’m just worried I’ll need something bigger especially for tomatoes. I’ve been using the jiffy 72 trays with the pellets you just wet to expand. Even with those I feel like I’m pushing it. Spring is always so iffy here. It will be 75 all week then drop to 30 one day and rain a foot the next lol so my plants end up staying in those trays for a little longer than I’d like.

[@tommathews3964]

This is just me, but I always plant tomato starts straight from the 162 trays into the garden. They are small, but they are mighty! I find that the plants are in such good shape, with well trained roots, that they take off right away if I do my part. I transplant most all my starts straight from the trays. The exceptions might be for weather or timing issues in the garden in which case I step up to 4" pots.

[@gardeningwithhoss]

No you do not. See Tom's response below.

[@brittanyscutecrochets]

@@tommathews3964 that’s good to know! Thank you!

[@tommathews3964]

@@brittanyscutecrochets Certainly. I didn't mean to speak for Greg, but that is really a feature of the cell design. I think you'll be pleased with the vigor and health of the plant starts. That tapered cell design really helps prevent "root wrap" and trains those roots downward. I've used a lot of trays over the years, and these are by far my favorite (and they're bomb proof!!). Best of luck to you!

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Please chime in anytime.

[@RockyCedarCreek]

Where can I get those tube fittings your greenhouse is using?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We bought this greenhouse from Atlas Greenhouse over 15 years ago. atlasgreenhouse.com/

[@MarshaShelley-t3n]

I tried the plus and don't like them or the bigger ones. The plastic stuff stuff around them does Not just melt away!

[@markhouston4473]

Great information. Greg with the 162 tray do you recommend having only one type of plants, for example having tomatoes, cucumbers, squash and okra in the same tray or different trays?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

depends on the plant. If you do use for different type of plants, all the plants should be around the same size. Don't mix things that are going to be smaller with those that will be bigger.

[@markhouston4473]

@@gardeningwithhoss Thanks for the prompt replay and also the fast response on your company's shipping, very satisfied. We have had a small garden 20 x 25 that we want to expand with 2 additional 20 x 25 plots so we need more plants and want to grow some squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, okra and eggplant. We would like to start from seeds. It seems from what I understand is that okra likes warmer soils so that is my concern with just one 162 tray. my question is in your opinion Is one tray going to work or should I have more 24 cell trays to stagger the planting of seeds?

[@tommathews3964]

@@markhouston4473 Okra is a great candidate for direct seeding in the garden, just wait on that soil temperature to rise, as you said. Okra thrives in warm soil and hot temps. I usually plant my okra as a second crop behind something I've grown early, like brassicas or lettuces.

[@annhendrick8681]

Tomato, Pepper and Egg Plant take the absolute longest to take from seed,to germination, to true leaf, to ready to set in the garden. As Tom said above Okra is best direct sown in the garden when the soil warms to 75-80 degrees. Okra is going to take you all the way to the fall Frost. You can also susession plant squash for a couple months in the spring and into the fall where there is less pressure from the moth’s and their worms and bugs!! Anyone and Everyone please correct anything I have said here if incorrect!!!!! Greg…

[@jeffreyhilbourn209]

im on disability and dont have heat mats so until i can buy some heat mats can i use heat lamps raised up over my trays ok

[@littlewing5682]

Anyone have recommendations for small tomatoes that don’t have an extremely thick skin?

[@Dingo3039]

Does the perlite go straight over the seed or is the seed under the soil mix 1st then the perlite, thnx

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We've done it either way. But we mainly put a small amount of soil on top and then perlite.

[@danhogle1776]

I have the 162 tray. I noticed you didn't mention anything about covering the seeds initially to create a more humid environment to help germinate the seeds. I'm guessing this is unnecessary?

[@gardeningwithhoss]

We will do that with peppers.

[@Mstymntntop]

Interesting thought on the pre-made plugs. When I start Salinova lettuce from JS, I have terrible results when planting in a mix compared to the plugs.

[@coreyburnell77]

How many hours of light do most seedlings need a day

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Same amount of time as you have natural light

[@susanangelo7737]

162 or 172?

[@barbaraengle768]

Last year was a mess ‼️way to many

[@EddieDinwiddie]

As you age you wish you stayed with a 1020 floor mat

[@tnfishkeeper2]

I really enjoy your content and the seeds are awesome. Wearing my pin you sent me with #HONOR

[@gardeningwithhoss]

Thanks so much

[@jeffreyhilbourn209]

hey have u ever used BlackWonder5000 From Sides seeding Johnny Sides in Lexington NC its 100 times better than blackcow

[@gardeningwithhoss]

no, we never have.