Sowing Carrots in Cornstarch for great germination no thinning and prevent seed waste

[@chucktwnkid]

You have the best cornstarch planting video on the internet. Everyone else fails to explain the ratios and/or the amount of seeds what amount covers. My carrots from my first run are doing well, I'm starting my second run today. Thank you

[@HerEcolife]

Right on!!! So glad to hear. Thank you for the comment.

[@lorirode-off]

I don't have a 1st run going yet!😳 I am in zone 5a, western South Dakota and need to get a move on!

[@kyleesson686]

👍

[@juliak3580]

I like hers better

[@nacolepowers2330]

@@HerEcolife do you start with 1/2 teaspoon of carrot seeds. Can you please give a measurement of the seeds per cornstarch mixture.

[@SolCycleFarm]

Nice video. Something I have done is get rid of the plastic bag and use a condiment bottle instead. Reusable and also a more consistent stream of gel.

[@franknilson180]

I have tried various methods and this time I have used the method that you described. I have soaked my seed for four days before I made the cornstarch mixture. I planted mine plus minus 1 cm deep and the carrots started showing signs on day 10. So, in total it is 14 days from soaking the seeds. In my opinion this method is by far the easiest and the quickest with the best results.

[@HerEcolife]

Yayyyy I'm so happy it worked for you!! So many people have been writing and letting me know their results and sending me pictures on Facebook. It took mine a bit faster to sprout out but it all depends on the conditions.

[@childofgod3675]

Thank you for sharing your results.

[@seedaholicgardens9085]

Surburban homestead has a great tutorial as well from 6 years ago... i have been doing this or years

[@7eyesopenwide168]

@@HerEcolife can you use this corn starch method with other seeds?

[@franknilson180]

@@HomesteadChicken You're welcome.

[@garden_geek]

Ok so I was intrigued by this idea and a bit skeptical since I couldn’t find a follow up video on how successful this method was for you. But I can’t resist a good garden experiment and I already had all the stuff on hand. So I followed your directions pretty much exactly and… IT WORKS! Holy crap it works. Less than 7 days after the start of the process (soaking the seeds) I have rows of baby carrot sprouts in my garden bed! I’ve never had carrots germinate and grow this quickly. This method is worth it for that aspect alone but I also appreciate that I’ll have less thinning to do than usual. Thank you for the tutorial! This is definitely my new go-to carrot-sowing method.

[@HerEcolife]

Oh yay :))) I'm so glad. I did a follow up on my last garden tour video. Would you be able to send me a few photos via email or a short clip? I would be so grateful. Been looking for some subscribers results. I'm gathering a few to show in a video.

[@garden_geek]

@@HerEcolife I would be happy to email you some pics. I just snapped some pics of the carrot seedlings emerging from the soil. I wish I had taken pictures of the process. I can gather up the supplies I used and snap a photo of those too if it will help. Oh and what’s your email address?

[@HerEcolife]

@@garden_geek awesome send them to [e-mail]. With your permission I will add them in a full update video with a few people that tried it that I know of.

[@childofgod3675]

Thank you for sharing your results.

[@JS-jh4cy]

Better save some holy crap 😂 for the garden this year

[@flowergrower1247]

The corn starch gel is the coolest method I have ever seen and I have been growing a veggie garden for almost 50 years! I am going to try it this year! I love carrots and I also decided not to become a carrot grower for the same reasons on our farm. The infrastructure is very expensive and we already are commercial beef cattle producers already so we are somewhat busy.

[@HerEcolife]

Right on! Yeah I'm glad I didn't jump the gun on too many projects with all the temps we have to do first.

[@childofgod3675]

@@HerEcolife does the cornstarch method work for any other crops? I think it's the coolest "cheat" I've seen so far.

[@TheBdylan23]

My mother showed me a similar method 50 years ago, only she used wallpaper paste instead of cornstarch, and I have been growing carrots successfully ever since.

[@HerEcolife]

That is interesting. I could try that this spring.

[@cherishp1626]

@@HerEcolife thank you I'll have them use that method

[@DeafJan0305]

How use wall paper paste?

[@oldriver1827]

@@DeafJan0305 50 years ago wallpaper paste was basically cornstarch.

[@susiea1419]

Nowadays wallpaper paste is full of anti fungal so best not to!

[@HelenEk7]

Someone on Reddit shared your video - this is GENIOUS! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with the world! Greetings from Europe.

[@HerEcolife]

Your very welcome :) So far the results are mind blowing. I will def post an update as soon as everything germinates and pops out.

[@seededsoul]

Lol, SHE shared it on Reddit...

[@HerEcolife]

@@seededsoul I sure did. Under the same name.

[@HelenEk7]

@@seededsoul Oh........

[@jamierentko7282]

Helen if you hadn’t posted this, I wouldn’t have known to follow on Reddit! Thank you 😊

[@HappyFarmsLa]

Cool carrot trick love! I remember your harvest video...it was amazing. Yas grass to garden, flip and feeds the soil yes! QUEEN! perfect for carrots. elbow deep in soil....now that is living! You have neat tools and ideas. Love it. My carrots are almost ready already! I will plant more in fall...of course we are in very different climates but we can still learn from each-other. You get a lot of great summer SUN up there!

[@dravonwalker2352]

This is brilliant! Thank you so much! I can easily imagine this working for any direct seed method - beets, radishes, lettuces, etc. Thank you again 🤓

[@geotubedude]

Sweet method. Will be experimenting this spring--thank you kindly! Commenting to suggest that you post the link to your follow up video in either the description or in a pinned comment. I've spent a few minutes looking on this page and will definitely visit your homepage to locate it, but many will not. My advanced apologies if I somehow missed it. Cheers!

[@pearlburris9245]

Love both methods, especially the cornstarch (I work long hours).... Score. I will be trying these next week in containers.Just love your channel!

[@steveday4797]

Great idea. My dear old dad used to do something similar but he used wallpaper paste (non fungicide) worked really well for carrots, radish and other root veg.

[@Digeroo123]

I have also used wallpaper paste but I like the cornflour paste method better since it is eating quality. I will give this method a go,

[@schrodingerscat1863]

That used to be a good method but these days pretty much all wallpaper paste has fungicidal chemicals so this method is a good replacement.

[@batchrocketproject4720]

fungicide is not a problem and could well be advantageous.

[@martinbrodie8507]

I'm envious of your deep, rich, organic soil. Here in northeast Georgia we have red clay, which requires alot of amending with compost. Your black and white cat has the identical pattern my cat "Thomas" had and looks like his twin.

[@HerEcolife]

We struck Gold with this soil for sure. The pastures are not so good though. Very rich black soil that turns to mud. Alot of work to do to make it better for the horses hooves. Can't have everything right?

[@anthonyhatter1882]

Add leaves,wood chips,manure,peatmoss in the fall

[@childofgod3675]

In southeast GA, I'm dealing with sand instead of your clay. Almost as bad, especially as a novice.

[@pinocolada4254]

@@childofgod3675 i have sandy soil to, luckily. It's not as rich as other types of soil, but it is easy to work and irrigates wel. You know what muddy means when you've spend fall and early spring on heavy clay.

[@sarahsmith6948]

I am in middle Georgia and container gardening this year using pools, buckets, and planters.

[@HiddenBlessingsHomestead]

Great tips, I will have to try the cornstarch method, I've never seen that done before. Can't wait to see the results!

[@tomfisher3117]

You can easily start 10 carrots per 2" seed starter hole. When the carrots have germinated and the tops are about 2" tall, you can pop them out of the starter hole and plant them, spaced perfectly in your garden. That way, there is no need for sand or corn starch. It's easy and there's no need for thinning. Thanks, you do wonderful work.

[@HerEcolife]

Thanks :) I have heard of people doing that. Unfortunately the time I would spend bent over to transplant them out on the peek of Mosquito season would be just unbearable. I really adopted this method after trying it. It was so fast.

[@tomfisher3117]

@@HerEcolife I'm glad it works for you. You deserve it!

[@richardhawkins2248]

Thanks! It is very easy to make starch from hash browns by saving the water you soaked the shred in. Or save the water from washing rice. Let the starch settle to the bottom drain off water and dry it out. You helped me, hope I helped you.

[@beatriceoduor445]

Following from Kenya. Am impressed. Av never grown carrots before but i want to give it a try using the two methods of sand corn starch on separate areas. Cant wait to start. Going out to prepare my backyard garden and sock my seeds too. Thanks for this hacks.

[@EgretSafaris]

How did it go Beatrice? Am from Tanzania na nataka kujua if it works for u. Have some peaceful elections there

[@3MISSISSIPPI]

Brilliant!! I'll probably be trying this in the fall... Getting too warm here for another planting of Carrots for the summer. I love the old school tools too :)

[@HerEcolife]

I was legit just watching a few of your videos when I got this notification. Glad to have met you on Ed's stream.

[@WheretheYoCalsGrow]

I am going to try this for the first time. I am so excited to try this. I think it's going to be great for my large 20 gallon grow bags.

[@HerEcolife]

Oh right on that will do great.

[@lljl5310]

I loved it when your adorable dog helped himself to a carrot! 🤣🤣 he must be a healthy dog! 😉😉

[@scarey2me]

That carrot thief had me laughing till I cried. Soo funny. Thx for the upload. I'm definitely giving this a go. I've had enough of growing seedlings under lights and then having to transplant them. One at a time.

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Wow, that soil is impressive! I've got to try the cornstarch trick, thanks for sharing it!

[@kathleenelliot5305]

First time watching, amazing how you planted those carrots. Will be watching more of you gal! Have a blessed weekend. All the way from Texas here.

[@HerEcolife]

Oh cool Texas! Glad you found your way to my channel ;)

[@lola8590]

Me too! Wimberly, Texas. Loved this cornstarch idea!!!

[@AlohaYeshua]

Aloha from Big Island 🌴 of Hawai’i My 🥕 carrots are in the beginning stage still ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️it’s still small, can’t wait to move it into the raise beds; we have snails 🐌 slugs are not good So we have raise beds 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@karin0963]

@@lola8590 I have wonderful childhood memories of Wimberley. I now live in NE Texas.

[@terrim.602]

I had to search for your channel again to let you know YOU ROCK!! I used the corn starch method and actually have carrots growing!!!!

[@HerEcolife]

That's amazing :))) Thank you for coming back and sharing with us

[@cannabis1490]

Just found your channel! Love it! They say, 'when the student's ready, the teacher appears'...Thanks for your time and talent. Appreciated. New sub.❤ from 🇯🇲

[@ThorHavenFarm]

That info is so awesome for the carrots, love this!!! The jokes could be endless on this as well!! LOL

[@HerEcolife]

Write one who knows I might sing it out in my song that I use the comments.

[@juanitadafler7233]

I am amazed! I'm getting ready to plant my carrots and I just want to thank you!!

[@HerEcolife]

You are so welcome!

[@juanitadafler7233]

@@HerEcolife Here it is 8 months later and I'm finally writing back to tell you it worked great ! Sadly my mother passed away this summer; however when my 5 year old grandson and his family came for her funeral, the carrots I had planted were ready. He enjoyed pulling up the carrots, taking them inside and having them for dinner. I can't wait until spring to plant a bunch more! Thanks again!!

[@redmapleleaf4617]

Pretty cool trick on that cornstarch mixture for planting those carrots.....I will definitely try this method.

[@kelzbee4981]

This lady is brilliant. Thank you! I'm curious on the results but I already know it's going to work amazing. I can't believe I never thought to do this or at least something similar. 🤯

[@tammywehner3269]

OHH! Canada!!! love the accent! please keep the videos coming and do not change a thing! I think it is wonderful that the web gets it's multi-culturalisem (sp). more people like you makes the world nicer : )

[@HerEcolife]

Thank you and happy new year! Where are you from?

[@carolyn9090]

A big hug to you girl, I tried your method of planting carrots in a cornstarch and water mixture. I changed it up just a bit, I just put the seeds in the mixture, added some water to thin it down and WHOA! in less then 3 weeks my carrots were growing. Thank you,

[@HerEcolife]

Yayyyy I Love seeing all your successful plantings with my video. I'm so glad :)

[@bholtslander]

Carolyn, meaning you didn't soak them first?

[@janetskene3413]

What GORGEOUS DEEP SOIL! I can easily see how beautifully it is amended!

[@GardeningintheNorth]

Very cool idea. I planted carrots in 3 different areas and it looks like they aren’t taking very good in one area. I’m going to try this! Thanks

[@timothylongmore7325]

the gel looks like fish/frog eggs and virtually does the same thing and the egg white. Cool idea. I'm intriged by low till now and definately going to watch your older videos on the subject.

[@carolsloanes4938]

I have never come across this method before,it looks effective and I can't wait to try it out. Thank you for sharing.

[@karenandriancontainergardening]

Very nice. This popped up on my feed, and as soon as I saw "carrots". I had to click on it. My carrot growing sucks, and I do it in containers, so anything carrots I watch, and I learned something today. I have never soaked carrot seeds before, so I am going to try that method. Thank you for sharing this.

[@HerEcolife]

I'm glad it popped up in your feed :) It worked great up until lol they got eaten. I will be harvesting them this week. I think I will have a decent harvest :) I did an update on them last week.

[@kevenskilatonyius2178]

putting a board over the rows helps with moisture remove after 3 days . like the corn powder juice idea keeping them wet !

[@rocdajacable]

Well you are the winner 🏆 of what I've watched this morning you Girl are a Superstar 🎉 brilliant

[@colinbateman8233]

I like the fork your using to break up the soil and your rake for seeding beautiful soil

[@markbaker4587]

I tried your advice. My only caution in using this method is to make the hole for dispensing very small. The mixture with the seeds is very thin and will easily apply too much .wasting seeds and causing more work to thin them out later on. Slick Idea ! Bravo !

[@HerEcolife]

Yea its best to make the hole smaller and make it bigger if needed. Making a hole smaller is a bit harder lol

[@oregvas8518]

Bakker csajok. Ilyet még nem láttam,nagyon ügyesek vagytok

[@jeanetteschulthe1andOnly]

Thank you! Carrots are one of the hardest for me to grow.

[@chickenjohnny3308]

Great video I had forgotten about using corn starch we used to plant lots of small seeds that way. I never thin carrots except of coerce the ones I pull to eat.

[@joylane5560]

I am watering several times a day, so going to try this with carrots, beets etc. thank you!

[@imerbeser]

Lamborghini instruction! You are so natural and egalitarian. Merci.

[@magdalenejackson5375]

Not coming back for a second year to do this again because it worked so well last year using this method...

[@MontysnMotion]

Your carrots are beastly, great video Mal

[@HiddenSpringFarm]

I thought you had a twin for a sec lol. Carrot seeds r so small they always need thinning. I'm gonna try a bunch with this technique. Cool video Mal.

[@HerEcolife]

I kinda have an older twin She was featured in my boat trip video

[@experimentalgardener566]

Ok, I’ve used you gel technique and with practice I’m sure it will go better. I’ve added a twist to keeping the soil moist until the leafs start to come up. I’ve covered my 4x8 bed with plastic to keep in the moisture in and straw covered with a row cover to keep the sun for cooking. I’ll keep you posted on the outcome. Thanks for your helpful information.

[@HerEcolife]

Right on!!!! I have had many of my subscribers reach out and send me their results. I hope it also works great for you.

[@jamesdagmond]

I know this is an old post but I use sheets of cardboard over carrot seeds and other tiny seeds that don't stay moist easily. It works well.

[@roddonegan1623]

In Thailand they get Trichoderma or Mycorrhizae powder (can't remember which one) nd add this to boiled white rice, which in matter of week or so, turns the rice a blue/green colour. I wonder if you used rice flour, you could also add in an innoculant, once it has cooled and that would kick of the process in the slurry and migrate to the soil...but more importantly to your plants as they start generating roots. I am going to have to try this myself. Secondly also a very mild fully balanced liquid fertilizer at low conductivity (tiny amounts would be required, so it does not upset the germination rate, but act as a small reservoir near the seed once they begin to run out of nutrition from the seed itself typically after the first couple of true leaves appear...which process advanced pretty quickly. The problem with most fertilizer is that it misses its target by an appreciable distance and you end up with too much too near the seed, or too little to far away from where the primary root is developing. So this might be a solution and also help the plants to branch earlier than normal once microbiology signal to the seedling that nutrients are close by and the plant would do well to branch its root system. Hope this helps all the way from Australia RD

[@GrowSomethinwithJeff]

I have never seen either of those methods, they look super easy!!

[@kansasgardener5844]

The corn starch idea is brilliant. I use pelleted seed and cover them with thick row cover until they germinate. I will try the corn starch next year.

[@ericaharris6897]

I just planted my carrots! Dang it. I am going to plant more and I will try this! Super excited 😄

[@HerEcolife]

There is always a bit later in the season for winter carrots :)

[@52oldtimerocker]

Will definitely be trying this method next growing season. I usually use a salt shaker to sprinkle seeds and then cover with something to retain the moisture..this year was a sheet of plywood. When seeds germinate I remove it and cover with straw.

[@carole3450]

Yes I've found the planks of wood fantastic too. I also broadcasted my seeds this time and didn't do rows. That has worked very well with no thinning required and hardly any weeding. I challenged the idea that carrots needed to be grown in rows and it's working for me!!

[@OurCabinInThewoods]

Now that was cool thanks for the tip for the seeds. 5 stars

[@krucydoesgardeningstuff6785]

Your dog stole a carrot! :) I think your carrots are going to love the soft soil, they should be able to grow more easily and straight. You can never go wrong with carrots, they can be used for a lot of things.

[@brigittegenois22]

Love the twin Mallorie lol that's awesome lol And we will have to try the trick with carrots ! Cant wait to see thecresult when you will harvest !

[@stevem-h3562]

How intriguing! Had a go last year just planting seeds as normal and it was a complete disaster. I'm gonna have a go at this this year/

[@MiAnUAcres]

That is an awesome tip, thanks for inspiring me for the carrots too!! I agree with Homestead dreaming, great editing!

[@ddd3240]

Genius on the corn starch idea.

[@pittschapelfarm2844]

Thanks for this. I was just getting ready to plant carrots this year (2022). I'm way south.

[@michellegoodson4245]

You my friend are a freaking genius!!! I’m definitely going to try the cornstarch method!! Thank you so much! 🧡🥕

[@MickenzieL]

That's a wonderful seed hack I've never seen

[@mitchtillison]

Great tips. Carrots are so hard for me but this looks super easy and fun.

[@MountainRoots]

Yeah, I'm here for your twin 😉 Nice editing you🤙

[@ravincathomestead-cecilia2894]

Good ideas, take care and stay safe

[@playinglifeoneasy9226]

That is really beautiful garden soil

[@elisenvlog4210]

Very nice video sharing my dear friend, watching here, sending my full support to you

[@jp-vx1hr]

Did you do a follow up video on how the carrots compared (sand vr cornstarch) for harvesting?

[@HerEcolife]

In my July Garden tour. They were doing great until they got eaten by slugs and hit with a late frost. but I do have a friend that showed her results Green witch homestead.

[@carmelcallan8195]

This is the most brilliant thing I have ever seen, cheers 🙂

[@EarlyRiser--]

I could almost smell and taste those carrots right out of the ground! Wonderful garden tips, your soil is awesome!

[@HerEcolife]

Thanks Pat. Yeah this soil has been a work in progress for sure.

[@maccliff2115]

Very clever way of sowing the seeds. I like it.👍🏼

[@WTFMIKE]

Ok now I'm invested.. I wanna see the difference. I've heard of the sand thing, never cornstarch gel.

[@HerEcolife]

I posted a picture on my community post while I wait for everything to pop up. ;)

[@nottooclosepleeze]

Really cool method. Thanks for sharing. Do you have another video showing the results? I'm very curious how this worked out for you. Thanks.

[@MOOSEHEADstadia2024]

Great video. The shots are nicely done! Seeded my first 100’ of carrots today. I’ll wait another week to put in more. It’s been so dry. My last Salanova and Romaine transplants are young, hot, and thirsty but look like they will make it. I’ve never tried the cornstarch solution. Very clever! Good luck with your season Mallorie!

[@ashbash9103]

Thank you very much for that. I never had much luck with maincrop carrots, only with early carrots, because in the UK we tend to get dryer weather around late spring and early summer. I'll definitely give the cornstarch method a go. Only thing I wish I could see was how to pre-germinate the seeds before mixing with the cornstarch mix.

[@HerEcolife]

Well there are plenty of videos online that show how to germinate seeds. Type in germinating sprouts and you will find :)

[@northerngirlhobbies]

Love it already!

[@bettinah.7429]

Really cool tips Mallorie! Two thumbs up!

[@FoodForestPermaculture]

Nice tips and you grow the best carrots Mal !

[@jamierentko7282]

Just found your channel and I’m sooo curious about this carrot process! Can’t wait to binge watch the updates 😊

[@RemsFamily]

Can't wait to see the results. Even though I'm pretty sure you will have lots of success :)

[@volveralaraiz]

Que buena idea!! Saludos amiga desde el sur de Chile 🇨🇱!!. 👐 I'm growing in my land 🗻

[@davetyler3314]

wow what a great idea I am definitely going to try the cornstarch

[@DocSiders]

Clever Carrot starting/planting system. Soil Decompaction can be done with a couple yesrs Cereal Rye and Tillage Radishes cover crops. Deep Aeration rips up Mycorrhizal Networks in both the top and sub soils. Good to do deep aeration for a few years to kick-start deep decompaction and areation. Plants gotta breathe.

[@soupspoon9554]

Great info. Love hearing the Red Wing Blackbirds 💯

[@lipsticklodge7526]

Thanx 4 this vid Malorie! I'm primarily growing in buckets and grow bags...my garden has to move in a couple months as I'm moving into my tiny house then ...I've never had luck with carrots..this looks like it will work!

[@theswissgardenvlog3189]

Beautiful, thanks for sharing your tips on how to grow carrots with little to no thining🥕🥕

[@leesa9615]

Awsome!!!!! I can’t wait to try this!!! I’m new to your channel and I was specifically looking for these areas as I’m in From Ont but my husband is from Quebec , we now live in NB so I love finding easier but also cooler weather Thule plantings and any ideas for the garden!!! Happy to have found your channel😁

[@PloughmansBackyard]

Neat, that's a great tip, I terrible at thinning carrots!

[@me5768]

OK, where do I start? I tried your method and it worked fantastically. Thank you very much. I have four beautiful roses of carrots right now. If I can only keep the bugs off them. I’ll have a great harvest. Thank you again.

[@HerEcolife]

Yayyy i’m so happy to hear this.

[@wildflower746]

Great idea! Thank you! Beats planting one by one. 😃👍🏻

[@HerEcolife]

Oh def yes lol In the mosquitos. This was very fast.

[@christiebetts4970]

Interesting,i've not heard of that before.I may be moving to a property without a well yet and need all the water saving tips i can get

[@carolynmoody9460]

THIS TIP ON CORNSTARCH IS THE BEST TIP I'VE SEEN IN YEAR'S ON UTUBE 👍 HOW CAN I NOT SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR CHANNEL

[@HerEcolife]

Awww thanks ;) I have a lot going on the channel. I'm sure you will find a few videos you will enjoy ;) Happy holidays.

[@puneetmoudgil6868]

You are so hardworker

[@LONESTARPIONEERING]

Wow this is so cool thank you

[@flareout4567]

The cornstarch jell is such a cool idea. I am going to give it a try this year I can wait Im ready for garden season

[@AmanatAli1]

Lots of love from. Pakistan and double love because I am also a farmer

[@davidvick1078]

This is fantastic! You have a new subscriber and I look forward not only to trying this but to watch your other videos. Thanks

[@HerEcolife]

Yay so many have tried it and have had great success. The comments are full of testimonies.

[@billgraham5609]

I’m going to try your method, makes so much sense.❤

[@HerEcolife]

Many tried and sent me their amazing results. It’s fun especially when the bugs are out. Saves so much time seeding.

[@1979Smelly]

Wow!! What a great idea to use cornstarch like you did.❤️