Seedling Update! Snapdragon Saga & Culling Stock! Soil Experimentation Revealed! Zone 5B/6A.

[@laurennelson4785]

So happy to see you’re back! My snapdragons had decent germination but are completely stunted and stagnant in soil blocks. Last year I grew beautiful snap transplants in cell trays - oh well. I was trying to save space! I’ve transplanted some into the garden before my last frost date but those don’t appear to be growing more either. Hopefully these snaps “snap out of it”!🤪

[@TinysGarden]

You’re the third person I think that has told me cell tray snaps are thriving. Mine didn’t do so great in cell trays and then thrived last year in soil blocks 🤪 Such an experiment! I hope yours snap out of it too! Maybe when the weather is more consistent they’ll take off - I believe in them! Good luck!

[@AnnaKincaid]

I too am new to soil blocking. In my area I just got potting soil that I could grab at the store and it's the worst for soil blocks it's sooo crumbly unless I put it in the food processor lol I want to try out coco loco and see how that does. As for wool I don't use wool because the less I spend on gardening the better BUT instead I am trying out using the hair I shave off our golden doodle pup. As of right now I am a hobbyist but growing 2 times more flowers this year for cut flowers as I learn and practice my regenerative gardening practices here. I do have a sheep farmer (surprisingly since we live in a suburban area) down the road from us and she is very happy to give me some "fertilizer" lol She said just bring a bucket. 😆

[@TinysGarden]

That’s amazing on all fronts! Genius substitution with the dog hair to save on money! 👏 Good luck with growing 2x more this year…that’s so exciting! Planting time is pandemonium, but when you’re overflowing with flowers it’s so worth it! Good luck to you! Keep me updated! (And nice deal with the sheep neighbor down the road 👍!)

[@pinetreesnflowers]

First time growing snaps and they germinated so well in cell trays! You have a lot of seedlings!! You’ll be so busy w all your plants plus twins!! Omg :)

[@TinysGarden]

No kidding 😂 My husband is going to have to pull extra duty this year I think - and my almost 4 year old son 🥰 You’re not the first person to say they’ve used cell trays and had great success this year. I’ve used them before and they did okay, but last year in the blocks was great. Who knows! Glad they have germinated well for you - you’ll be hooked! 😄

[@TanyaWeezy]

Love Briggs excitement for plants! The love is contagious!

[@TinysGarden]

It’s sweet isn’t it?! He’s so proud of his tomatoes as he should be ☺️

[@theslinkymaniaa]

The rudbeckia look so good!! I finally got my sweet pea seeds planted in the ground last Thursday! 🥳 but now I’m in California for a week visiting my friend, so the boif is on watering duty 😂 Glad things have calmed down for you now!

[@TinysGarden]

Get it, giiiirl! I’ve gotta get my poor sweet peas out there! Thank you for reminding me. Fingers crossed for you that the boif doesn’t screw it up! 😂 Lots of Facetiming! Thank you! I’m hoping I can get a lot accomplished now in the next several weeks. Have fun in Cali!

[@richbishop7896]

Happy gardening Stephanie! Bonny

[@TinysGarden]

Hi Bonny! I hope you’re well! Thank you! ❤️

[@TheGardeningMe]

It's sad about the snapdragons, but hey - that's part and parcel when you're experimenting & I think what makes it so exciting as you just never know how it's going to turn out. I once purchased some bulk soil for all my pots from a local landscape supply company and it was a complete disaster. On the bright side, it sure felt great when I went back to my old reliable mix the following year and everything did amazing :)

[@TinysGarden]

Hi Margaret! Oh brother, yes that’s the worst 🙄 I’m a little nervous about my bulk compost this year because I used a different supplier and I’m finding a lot of glass, which I think is odd. Just crossing my fingers it works okay! Hope everything is growing well for you so far!

[@sandychristiansen1749]

So glad to see you again -- I was so happy it wasn't anything wrong with the twins. I love Vermont compost for seed blocks and have decided not to use anything else. Any secrets for Rudbeckia to germinate -- I have tried 2 kinds 2 years in a row and only got 3 to germinate and they are struggling.

[@TinysGarden]

Hi Sandy! Yep, we’re all good here! At this point, VCC is my preferred medium as well. Rudbeckia has always done well for me - double check if they need light to germinate or if they need to be covered with soil (I can’t remember off the top of my head), but I know that’s important for certain plants and I think Rudbeckia may be one of them. Good luck, Sandy! ❤️

[@suekrebs3497]

Thanks for the update. You had a late start, but your seedlings are looking good. This year, I used Purple Cow Organic seed starting mix for the first year. It is fantastic with no big chunks and can be used for cell trays or soil blocking. It is made here in southern Wisconsin and is available at the hardware store. There are enough nutrients for 45 days before fertilization is needed. I look forward to your next video and hope that you are feeling well.

[@TinysGarden]

Hi Sue! Yes, we have purple cow here. I bet that does do a good job. Never thought of that. I’m feeling well! Hope to film outdoors today!

[@3kidmama]

I had the SAME thing happening with my snaps! It's my 3rd yr soil blocking them and you'd think I'd be getting better, not so much worse! However, my second try is doing better and it's the same seed packets. I live in a cold northern climate too and struggle to keep humidity up. I LOVE using the green Gardener's Workshop trays, but struggle to keep the humidity up under the domes. Last yr I tried Lisa's tip to use burlap, but it seemed to wick the moisture AWAY from the soil blocks. Definitely different germination needs with our varying INDOOR climates. Keep on growing those human babies too!

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! Yeah, it seems to be a thing this year with the snaps 🤷🏻‍♀️ Hopefully they grow and I can get some more from propagating, but you’re right - as long as my human babes are growing well, that’s most important! 🥰

[@dksgardenoasis]

All of my plants are struggling this year and the only difference was the CoCo Loco. I'm going back to Vermont Compost Fort Vee next year. I just thought I'd try it. You have had a rough year minus your angel babies. Hope things calm down for you.

[@TinysGarden]

I agree - I think I’ll be VCC from here on out, but I’m glad I tried to see first hand. It has been a lot, but everyone is doing better and I’m hopeful the next 8 weeks are fruitful before my sweet babes make an appearance out of the womb! Thanks for your kind words ❤️

[@dksgardenoasis]

@@TinysGarden praying for a safe delivery if your angel babies❤️. Are twins in your family? Or was this divine intervention or both?

[@TinysGarden]

@@dksgardenoasis Divine intervention my friend...true miracles!

[@dksgardenoasis]

@@TinysGarden 👼 👼❤️

[@mhubertcfi]

Keep on rolling, sis! You're doing fine ❤

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! 😊

[@kindermusiknorthwest8347]

Just wanted to say that 2 years of doing snaps in soil blocks were a total failure for me despite growing them for years ( in cell trays) successfully. It was only the snaps and feverfew that failed in blocks - all else was well. I’m wondering if in our zone, (Im 5b) because they need to be started so early along with their moisture needs, that soil blocking is too risky. after 2 years without snaps, I went back to cell trays and I had fantastic germination (all from Johnnys) and they’re all super healthy. I’m also doing successions this year so will hopefully have plenty!

[@TinysGarden]

That’s really interesting. I’m glad you found the method that works best for you! Snaps galore will be wonderful to have in your garden!

[@margarethairsine8648]

You are doing amazing! xoxo

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you, Margaret! 🥰

[@ashleyhallberg1445]

I think there are a lot of people struggling with snaps this year! My germ rate was disappointing compared to years prior

[@TinysGarden]

That’s what I’m hearing! At least I guess we’re not alone, but it is bizarre. Usually they are easy peasy lemon squeezey.

[@anniewildmush1284]

i put my lisianthus 3 weeks ago in the ground... montreal... we got snow .... like 20 cm... they are looking so good they are loving it.. but mine a lot a bigger.. but just put them outside... we are safe now.. i wish i can send u pictures

[@TinysGarden]

Ohhhh, that’s amazing! I bet they’re loving being outside! Happy they’re growing so well for you!

[@anniewildmush1284]

i was worried ... ❤❤

[@TinysGarden]

Doing okay now!

[@carolmattson7168]

From Oregon. Just trying seedlings, this is first year!

[@TinysGarden]

Good luck! Enjoy!

[@matchynishi]

looks great. I have seen a lot of people on yt having trouble this year with snaps, I wonder what's going around! Quick question, for lisianthus, how far apart do you plant them in ground?

[@TinysGarden]

If I remember correctly I packed mine in pretty tight last year - around 4” I’d say and they did great.

[@bronlynbennett3371]

I love your bamboo shelves. Are you liking that system? Is it worth the $$?

[@TinysGarden]

I love them. I’ve had them for 3 or 4 years now and for me, they’ve been worth the money. No issues with them and I’ll use them for many more years to come, so for me, yes definitely worth it. It’s a great system and you’re paying for that, but I’d do it again. I hope that’s helpful.

[@jenniferkarnowski8647]

My Lisianthus is SO tiny still...

[@TinysGarden]

How many weeks old is it? Have you tried potting it up? They’re tricky finicky little things.

[@jenniferkarnowski8647]

@@TinysGarden I planted beginning of February. Have not potted up because they're so little. It's like they sprouted and then got stunted or frozen.

[@MilliePat]

I have never had any success with Coco Loco and Wool Pellets, and the wool pellets in the bag are easy to mold. The most significant issue with soil blocks is frequent watering. I can't water watch every day, so it gets too dry. It was a lot easier using a humidity dome and the windstrip trays. I still have soil blocks when I want to germinate less than 30 plants because they use less space.

[@TinysGarden]

I get that! Makes sense!

[@jillrodriguez9597]

Glad you are back from the chaos! What beautiful weather we’re having in the Chicago area! Love it 😊 I just up-potted my lisianthus on Saturday and put them back under grow lights. How many hours of light do you think they need at this point? They’re 2.5 months along. Thanks 😊

[@TinysGarden]

Thank you! Woo hoo! I would say 16 hours, but I've started hardening off mine outside today and hope to get them in the ground potentially by the weekend or next week!

[@karunald]

When do we do Zinnia?

[@TinysGarden]

You can direct sow them after the last frost date or if you want to start them inside, you can now if you’re within 3-4 weeks of your last frost date!

[@karunald]

@@TinysGarden That's what I was thinking... I'm in Chicagoland also so I was hoping to take your lead. Tho Farmer's Almanac says my date is May 4 (used to be 11-15 area). New to 6a (tho it's pretty close to 5b areas). My schedule is confused. Was hoping to do the in Mini Soil blocks and just plant them out but worried they'll overgrow them making more work for me