Seed Starting Part 2: Seedling Care, Problems, and Pot-Up

Today we try to cover a variety of seedling care topics such as, fertilizing, pruning, problem solving, potting up, and transplanting out in the garden. The idea here is to try to show you guys some of the little things that pay off hugely in the long run!
IN THIS VIDEO
→ Seed Starting Supplies: bit.ly/3G7Ss8g
→ Epic 4-Cells: bit.ly/39CfLuw
→ Fertilizer I use, AgroThrive: bit.ly/3G6zQoV
SUPPORT JACQUES
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→ Seeds: growepic.co/botanicalinterests
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TIMESTAMPS
00:33 - Fertilizing Seedlings
04:18 - Plant Care As Seedlings
06:10 - Growth Timing and Seasons
08:00 - Identifying Problems
12:03 - Healthy Seedlings
13:56 - Potting Up
24:15 - Transplanting Seedlings
DISCLAIMER
Epic Gardening occasionally links to goods or services offered by vendors to help you find the best products to care for plants. Some of these may be affiliate links, meaning we earn a small commission if items are purchased. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. More info on our process: www.epicgardening.com/disclai...

[@reginaldsugarman685]

Jacques which liquid organic fertilizer did you use/recommend

[@jacquesinthegarden]

I linked it in the description, its AgroThrive General Purpose!

[@nathancaudill9365]

Jacques, what are your thoughts on fox farm liquid fertilizer

[@alexissixela6914]

@@nathancaudill9365 Just make this a video, because it is a widely used brand.

[@rumpiee]

link is dead. thanks.@@jacquesinthegarden

[@alissahoke9215]

The link took me to a 404 Error Page fyi.

[@Gardeningchristine]

I literally decapitated a tomato seedling when I was planting it in, broke the stem about 2 inches from the roots. I ran inside and got a paper sticker label (so it would break down quickly) and wrapped it around like a splint, then buried the damaged part. It didn’t even wilt, like nothing happened. They are resilient!

[@rickytorres9089]

That what professionals do actually. Particularly to trees, like casting an arm/leg on a person.

[@lady_dragoness6344]

You basically grafted it back onto itself.

[@randompheidoleminor3011]

@@lady_dragoness6344 which is ironically the intended purpose of that ability in the first place

[@CartersGardens]

I've actually had to do the same thing with a pepper. I had to stake it tho.

[@lizziesmusicmaking]

Very cool. I didn't know you could do that.

[@digil4509]

Jacques as always so much wonderful information. Your a natural born teacher. You explain everything so clearly. Also sharing your hits and misses helps me be a better grower, by accepting my goofs and moving forward. Thank you so much🌻

[@siobhanmacleod7957]

I laughed so hard when you mentioned not labeling all your individual pots when you transplant cause you said you would know what they were. However at one point you would move one and then you would realize you couldn’t tell what it was. Lol, I did this with my tomato seedlings. I’m trying 5 different varieties and when I was potting up, I realized after the fact I didn’t label all my pots. I said oh well, I’ll just group the look alike ones together. Then I go to transplant to the raised bed 2 weeks ago and after doing half the bed, I realized I didn’t pay attention to what variety I was planting, so now I have a mixture of Roma, cherry tomatoes, and indeterminates all in one bed. It was hot out, so I’m like whatever, it’s a Russian Roulette of a Tomato bed. 🤷‍♀️😂

[@jacquesinthegarden]

Hahaha its the true reality of gardening!

[@hellowilson5335]

Lmao I did that with my lettuce patch.

[@elisabetk2595]

I make plant tags out of yogurt or cottage cheese containers - just cut them up with scissors - and try to always have a few and a garden marker in my pocket, even after they are planted in the ground. Because I often find ones I have missed when I water. Yes, I have learned the hard way too!

[@Alyss93]

That encouragement about not worrying about timing is exactly what I needed to hear right now. Everyone has been saying "You need to get these seeds in NOW!" but I swear I've started my tomatoes from seed in April/May and still got a bumper crop. And I'm in zone 6, so not exactly the warmest place on the planet.

[@leadoucet1432]

Really? I wanted to seed a couple more varieties but thought I was too late. Thanks! (Not that I need more tomato plants 😂)

[@lisalightfoot1344]

Absolutely brilliant vlog. So much info. And at the perfect time. And yes the plant tag thing I'm sure we have all done. Thanks Jacques 👍❤️

[@thevirus6101]

Jacques! I’m a new gardener and have been attending KZbin University for almost a year now. Just came across your channel! Honestly, your the best I’ve seen! Keep up the great work. You’ve inspired me!

[@kristallbright7942]

Great info! Now I know why my seedlings stall out. Now I need to triage, apply care and rescue them. Thanks for teaching me how to save my garden!

[@blackgem1055]

I have had that mix up with the pots every year!! This year I tried to mark each one but some peppers did not get their marker so now half my pepper bed has question marks against the plants.

[@jacquesinthegarden]

This is a classic problem that I had and still have routinely, It is just so tedious to write labels and it feels wasteful if you can reuse them.

[@raymondselinger5607]

@@jacquesinthegarden if you get the heavier plastic labels, you can use steel wool to remove permeant marker. I’ve even gotten the cheap ones from Walmart to last me three or four years. I save them all to clean over winter when I don’t have as much to do.

[@bobbyb7708]

I personally have a 3D printer, which has many uses outside gardening, but I have used it to make markers, supports, and many other useful gardening items.

[@tishasaltzman3441]

​@@jacquesinthegardenwhere can I get the 4 single pot. Have the label seedlings issue. 😅

[@jeaniemario2093]

Excellent video. I really like your teaching style. Of course, without fail, I have grouped seedlings without tags and said that I would remember. I never remember.

[@SS-vw7zc]

I love the birds singing ❤

[@puggirl415]

Great series. I've been trying to grow most things from seed and have been applying various tips and tricks that I find on your channel and a few others. I don't use liquid fertilizer but found some free fertilizer in the form of rabbit bedding and poo. A local rabbit rescue near me leaves out bags of their rabbit bedding weekly. The plants just love it. It also acts as mulch until it breaks down completely.

[@yo388]

I’ve learned over the last few years that tomato’s are all over the place when it comes to what works. You have to experiment in your area for sure and not be afraid of failure. What works in one place might not work in another.

[@m4ng0girl]

I've been getting so discouraged with my seedlings. I live in zone 4b and I fell behind getting started and haven't been able to get everything set how I wanted. Thanks for the encouragement. And for the reminder to fertilize. Thank you.

[@TheMangerinoAdventures]

I love Jacques way of teaching. Loads of info, frugal way to make things work in the garden naturally too. Love all the nature sounds too.

[@KatesGarden]

I completely agree, the garden is our playground to try things out for ourselves and see what works. Thanks for the info, I have a lot of seedlings to plant out as well.

[@laurasimpson2870]

Great information and tips but I was really enjoying your backup singers.❤️🇨🇦

[@mrstoneybrew]

I don't know how but as I watched it was as if you were speaking directly to me. It's like you had a checklist of the things I worry about or just don't feel confident enough with. This not only gave me great info but a few sighs of relief and boost in confidence. Thank you Jacques. P.S. This year I labeled freaking everything as I always had done the "oh ill remember as well lol".

[@jacquesinthegarden]

Glad to hear this!

[@Flippin_Crazy]

I swear every year I’m gonna label…again I didn’t.

[@olivejuicemomma]

Rewatching this for my second year of veggie gardening. Seed start can be challenging for me. So many ways to screw it up. This is SO helpful; thank you!

[@nataliemintz6507]

Shot glasses are always available in droves at the thrift store! I got a whole set at Goodwill. Great garden hack!

[@rebeccavalicoff1581]

I loved the bird sounds but as soon as you said something he quieted down. Birds are amazing! Back to subject, thanks for specific information. You teach in an easy style, easy to follow and understand. You are a great teacher!

[@RossyFusco]

We planted poppy’s last year in our flower bed and we thought we weren’t going to do followers again this year then bam they came back. Guess we are doing flowers again 😂

[@bradymcphail9690]

Easily one of the best seedling care videos I’ve seen ever Sir! Thank you. Really excellent!

[@randydeshane9991]

Hey Garden Hermit, I just started my seeds about 2 weeks ago. They should ideally been started in February. Our growing season is long so hopefully all goes well. It gets very hot during the summer in Modesto CA.

[@jacquesinthegarden]

Yeah the Modesto summer seems like it could be a challenge but since the season is so long you should be good!

[@Vexxer91]

Great video! I started some tomatoes in ~February (zone 10a) using artificial light and then put them outside about 1.5 months ago. They were pretty small, definitely not nursery size! I started using some 3-2-2 liquid fertilizer about 2-3 weeks, and within the last week they grew 3x almost overnight. Great to hear about your process, I'm definitely going to be using liquid fertilizer with my starters more frequently.

[@goranbreskic4304]

Interesting about the brassicas. Where I live we usually sow cabbage, let the seedlings grow together in one pot until the leaves are around 10 cm long and then we just separate them and plant them in the ground. No repotting, no "personal space" for each plant until they are in the ground. They grow beautifully like that, even the ones that look small and weak from the beginning. This year I have started broccoli which is a bit different. I have been warned about leaving them too long in their first place before repotting (might do that to protects them against pests a little longer) and then planting.

[@jacquesinthegarden]

As long as you prick them out early enough it should be totally fine, its once they have been seedlings for over a month that they really struggle.

[@flowerfairy1950]

Thank you for these two videos. Silly as it sounds in my 70s I am a novice at seed sowing (trying to grow my own cut flowers) and I have done everything wrong eg sowing whole packets of seeds last season! I have found your advice/demonstrations in these two videos very helpful; thank you. 🇦🇺🦘

[@creative227]

You answered every question I had! Thank you!

[@TeamCropDusters]

thanks Jacques, I'm just starting and have no idea what I'm doing but this helps more than you know

[@jacquesinthegarden]

Very glad to hear this!

[@Gardeningchristine]

This was very in-depth and educational. I greatly enjoyed it. Thank you

[@rickytorres9089]

Me as well, wholeheartedly agrees.

[@koungson]

Thanks for being so detailed with your videos. Learning so much

[@theclothside535]

I really needed to hear some of these things. Thank you ❤️

[@Herone01]

Great information as always. Love your content 👌👌

[@jannipanni]

Been waiting for this video, so excited. Thanks Jacques!

[@nildaotero2933]

Great video Jacque, thanks for sharing

[@tonkabear2369]

Never heard of needing wind. Thank you

[@Imjetta7]

Excellent information, thank you!

[@Seafoamworks99]

I use slow release fertilizer so I don't have to worry as much about over fertilization. I can just add a few beads at a time then wait for them to dissolve, add a couple more. It works really well. My basil went through a short no growth period then shot up. 3 of them got huge. I only meant to plant a few but overplanted so I ate the smaller ones lmao.

[@naomi2646]

Thank you, love all the essential information. Looking forward to watching more.

[@rosedee4385]

Super helpful, learned something new and also is easy to follow.

[@user-zs3xd5ym4j]

Another great video! Thank you!

[@MichaelJosephJr934]

I just went out and turned and watered my compost and I'm toast. I can't believe how much you do!

[@eliev7844]

This is sooooo incredibly helpful! Thank you

[@hereiknowmyself-jeaniealks377]

Lots of great information here! Thank you!

[@lynneblow1447]

Very good and timely video. Thanks Jacques!

[@sleepydrJ]

Very informative! Thank you!!

[@charlimiali9364]

Thanks!!! Best ever seedling instruction

[@susieclark1498]

I had green on my seedlings and did not know I could save them. Thank you for so much good information.

[@debbeleigh1930]

Awesome information! Thank you ❤

[@einthedatadog7]

Wow. This helped me understand SO MUCH! Awesome video!!

[@risamateo8003]

Thank you. All of these tips and tricks are so helpful.

[@curiouscat3384]

Really good details and I appreciate you demonstrating comparisons between stunted and thriving plants! Thank you.

[@cassandramichellecoaching]

these videos are so relaxing… and inspiring!

[@dinacasey7034]

Great VLOG Thanks for some great information.

[@stephaniefrederick6632]

Excellent info! Thanks.

[@hanamauidaze]

EXCELLENT advice, best I've seen

[@808.ladybugs]

🌺Jacques,Omg thank you so much for your vlog information. I always learn so much from your videos, a true teacher😙

[@monicaraney5649]

Great video! Thank you!

[@michellemarie4152]

Thank you for sharing all you knowledge and experience. I appreciate that you keep it real…and share your “oops”. This video is the BEST….comprehensive yet easy to follow along!

[@millionairementality_]

Good information. Thank you!

[@gabrielareyesaviles1362]

great video Jacques! always learn something here. love the birds.

[@JulianJP21]

Thanks jacques!! always is a pleasure watching this channel ✌️👍

[@madisonbrown2424]

Excellent video. Learned a lot.

[@GrizzlyPBear]

Thank you for the encouragement! I am a first time gardener and started my peppers and tomatoes in sterile mix and only just fertilized them about a month and a half in after wondering why they weren't growing well. Started to get discouraged, but I'm trusting the process and hoping they'll grow as we start to get warmer and I look to transplant them into beds.

[@oliviabishop5451]

Thanks, good video and very informative!

[@nadiacastico208]

Just Perfect ! Thank you!

[@mmmmmmyeeeaaahhh3880]

I've learned so much from watching you and epic gardening, thank you

[@hillbillyshadetreefarm5732]

Excellent info. I appreciate your calmness about gardening issues that I would freaked about. I'll try to channel your calm.

[@bethsands7665]

Very informative and in-depth video, thank you.

[@st2778]

Thanks so much for this video. I'm dealing with some seedlings that are soaked due to torrential rain. Potting up will hopefully save them.

[@deborahrusignuolo7612]

You have great videos very good information and great content. Thank you for sharing

[@gracecobb780]

Great information

[@teenadamron7654]

Love your videos soooo informative.

[@jeanniemann4571]

So many things I didn’t know. Thanks JQ

[@ramonasurprenant2122]

Perfection! Thanks 💕💕

[@Jenolistic]

Great Tips! I never know when to plant up and these tips helped alot. Thank you! 🥰

[@Salishsea812]

Excellent video

[@barbarafunk5118]

Thank You great information for seed starting.

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Thanks. Great video.

[@zackthewazoobeaver]

Super informative video! Really appreciated the comment about not getting discouraged and that there is time to catch up, especially in the warmer months! I have some more things I want to start but basically from the first wave all that made it were the tomatoes and tomatillos because they honestly just grow lol

[@rebeccasewing]

Excellent video. Really appreciate you sharing all of this info.

[@danieladeutsch1708]

I love to watch your channel, dear Jacques! This is a great topic. Thank you so much! 🤩

[@beltoftruth56]

This was wonderful thank you

[@vimondireksri8820]

Most informative videos on this channel. So glad I found you.

[@majoyap3403]

THanks Jacques...I'm really bad in seed starting in some plants...now I know why. ❤

[@kathrynmettelka7216]

Truly helpful information. Your process has more steps, but your explanations make sense.

[@aleamajz]

Thank you for the video!!! This is my first year starting a ton of seeds and your videos have been really helpful :3

[@cbdcdiva6872]

This is a timely video as I am planning my fall seed starts and my summer seedlings are germinating as I watch this! I am so glad I'm not the only one who saves all those nursery store pots!!

[@GardenGirlGlowUp]

Perfect timing to soak up some knowledge for my seedlings thanks so much for the video! 🌞

[@rickytorres9089]

Wholly agrees, thank so much. :)

[@periodicallysober8015]

great teacher man. Just straight facts and observations. Love it, thanks!

[@vonries]

Thanks I think that might explain what's happening right now with my starts.

[@growingstarshine]

Awesome video! my seedling size was something I was always somewhat unsure about. I never knew to fertilize in this stage. Thanks for the video!

[@GrandmaSandy]

What is love a good garden video thank you so much for sharing it with us look I’ll check a few more of your videos out

[@chulasexychica11]

Amazing 👏 so helpful for newbies like me

[@jonathanravenhilllloyd2070]

Glad you explained topping. It has quite different meaning in some cultures.

[@nathancaudill9365]

Thank you so much for this video. My seedlings all have 1st true leaves and some a second set. I check them 20 times a day😂😂. But Ive been dying to pot them up and now I know I can!!!

[@jenn6838]

Great video Jacque! The mockingbirds are a great addition to the video.

[@Kat-mf7mt]

Such an in depth seedling guide! Thanks Jacques for this video!! 🙏

[@rickytorres9089]

Really is and making sure it's well understood that nothing is just one thing and that's it. Particularly with transplanting "early", tiny seedlings and starting seeds "late".

[@wendybecker-metivier7674]

Thanks! Great tips!

[@PlanWithMichelle]

I would love to know what fertilizer you are using on your seedlings. Newbie here. Plus running to transplant my poppies now LOL Thanks so much for all the great info

[@queeniemarkham8022]

Hey Michelle, I would guess it’s something like a liquid seaweed. You can also make your own ‘teas’ which contain nutrients but you can buy liquid seaweed fairly easily. It smells a little but it’s fabulous, I use it on my houseplants. I’ve literally just realised I should probably dilute it more for them too 😅

[@jacquesinthegarden]

This one is AgroThrive!

[@jacquesinthegarden]

I linked it in the description!

[@PlanWithMichelle]

@@jacquesinthegarden thanks soooo much