6 Items Every Gardener Should INVEST In For Winter Gardening Success

[@TheMillennialGardener]

If you found this video helpful, please “Like” and share to help increase its reach! Thanks for watching 😊TIMESTAMPS for convenience: 0:00 How To Save Money Gardening 2:42 Item #1: Seed Starting Trays 4:31 Bonus Item: Peat Pellets Seed Trays 6:17 Item #2: Seedling Heat Mats 9:07 Item #3: Seedling Heat Mat Thermostat 11:35 Item #4: Frost Blanket 13:14 Item #5: Plant Jacket 14:45 Bonus Item: Incandescent Christmas Lights 17:36 Item #6: Wireless Smart Outlet 20:11 Adventures With Dale

[@StevenStGelais]

that 4k is looking real nice. thanks for uploading in UHD

[@sharonthehuman5954]

Looked in the store but don't see the plant jackets, can you link them?

[@D.G.Gardening]

@@sharonthehuman5954 yes

[@D.G.Gardening]

@@StevenStGelais true 👍🏻

[@DeadeyeJoe37]

Possible heat mat replacement: put the seed starts on the top of your fridge. Stays warm up there usually. Once they germinate, then move them somewhere with light

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That is feasible if you don't use the top of your fridge for storage (like I do!). However, I will say the top of the fridge doesn't get very warm. Seedling heat mats will become 80-90 degrees to really speed up germination. The top of the fridge is a bit warmer than ambient room temp, but it won't provide nearly the warmth boost of a seedling heat mat.

[@DeadeyeJoe37]

@@TheMillennialGardener I've heard people have success with it. My fridge gets toasty at the top, but I'm in Hawaii with no ac and don't have to worry about this. I'm actually germinating some peppers as we speak...

[@Terri_Stauffer]

@@DeadeyeJoe37 I know my fridge gets warm my heat loving cat loves to lay there. So unfortunately no plants there for me unless I want dirt everywhere 😅.

[@spiritranger9202]

I see you mentioned saving money gardening, but boy is that true now! 👍 Lettuce prices are through the roof! As you've noted lettuce seeds cost nothing because you're getting like 200 seeds in a small packet for like $3.29. Smart idea to do an episode on this! Definitely keep doing episodes so people can EASILY learn how to grow. One really cheap way to get pots is to reuse a milk or water gallon jug as a pot. Cut off the top and poke holes in bottom. A gallon is more than enough space for a big head of lettuce or any greens. Reuse soda bottles or water bottles. Just do the same by cutting tops off and poking holes. Also little Dixie cups or other plastic cups are cheap ways to get pots for transplants.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm always reluctant to make videos like this, because I'm encouraging people to buy things. However, it's really an investment. A single $40 investment for seed trays and a heat mat will last practically forever. I can grow, literally, 100 heads of lettuce for a $2 packet. A 3-pack of romaine hearts is almost $4 right now! Seed starting is so worth it, and I hope more people get into growing seed instead of buying transplants. It cuts costs dramatically.

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

@@TheMillennialGardener I agree with you 100%. I eat mostly simple salads with a ton of greens. I planted various varieties of lettuce seeds recently and, thank God, they're all coming up. I do all container gardening for edibles and bed gardening for flower pollinators, etc. Lettuce prices are out the roof rights now. Plants aren't even worth buying. Seeds, seeds, seeds are the best way to go now. While I have and DO harvest my seeds, I AM stocking up on many Heirloom seeds for Spring and Fall next year. More and more folks will be gardening, so I'm being prepared for feeding all my adult children and their families. I'm 80 now, with cancer and severe radiation effects, and out in my large garden every day for many hours on and off. If I can do it, anyone else can :):):)

[@D.G.Gardening]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@jeannamcgregor9967]

I use my seed heat mat in winter to keep sourdough bread dough warm during proofing. Brilliant.

[@dnp1776]

Gr8 ideas! Frost blankets!! I'm frugal so... 1. Thrift store jellyroll pans with 2. Seedlings in paper tubes (from paper towels) saved up all year.. 3. Old style exterior Xmas lites bought @ thrift store. 4. No wifi so...Remote controlled outlet gizmo for small appliances (battery operated) & on a timer...garage sale. But only operates within 25ft .

[@dimpletoadfoot8631]

I'm in central NC and am super happy about our warm spell lately. I got a lot more done outside this past weekend :)

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It's going to come to a violently abrupt end. Sunday and Monday is going to be *VERY* cold. Stay vigilant.

[@maryelizabethcalais9180]

Oh how I enjoy your videos. You're to the point, no hemming and hawing, not wasting our gardening time. You speak fluently, educationally, and certainly have a plethora of myriad experiences in gardening. Thanks for what you do. Keep up the good work :):):) I cannot afford to invest in all the products at one time, however I will start purchasing a little at a time. Most of my containers have been and still are acquired from local nurseries in my area, LA zone 9. Those plain black pots in various sizes. I HAVE purchased some white food-grade 5 gal containers from WalMart for $3 and $4 ea. I DO shovel by myself free wood chips and compost from a local tree service co.; collect fall leaves from neighbors, besides my yard, make my own cold compost piles, and have vermicompost bins.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I subscribe to the "accumulation method" as well. You can re-use any containers you can find. You can sow in empty egg cartons, milk containers, etc. Most of my pots are leftover nursery pots from simply buying plants over the last 10 years of my life. They last practically forever when cared for. Over the years, as I've had some spare income, I've invested in higher quality stuff that "stacks" and "nests" to save space, but if you're new and the budget is tight, I recommend spending the spare change on things like seedling heat mats to up your germination %, which saves time and money, and using free containers for awhile til you can get better stuff. A little tip: if you need containers, check the dumpsters behind Home Depot and Lowes. They're tossing a lot of old, dead plants this time of year. You can take them for free.

[@jessiesalisbury7044]

He is the best on KZbin if you ask me.

[@randyman8984]

Also another pro tip is when you're carrying the seed trays like you have in video, the bottom that holds the water. I've noticed will break/wear real easy when they bend so make sure to get you some of those carriers that go under it so it won't put all the stress on the bottom tray. This may not even be what it's purpose is for but that's what I use for carrying and moving around and it works out really great. Doing this is going to get a lot of extra life out of the bottom trays. Great content 👍

[@Marlene5018]

You are right, everything is very expensive and overpriced! I’m growing my own vegetables and fruit and now I started to grow edible mushrooms! You don’t need to live in a ranch or in a huge area to do it, you can grow healthy food in your patio, small garden or in your kitchen, like an urban garden! Edible mushrooms are very easy to grow and is a healthy, organic and affordable way of eat fresh protein. I have some videos in my channel in case someone wants to get inspired about it. 😊

[@jamestboehm6450]

You missed LED grow lights. We far north growers can grow indoors. Cool house, swiss chard, spinach, radishes, bok choy and other cool weather crops. Containers with bottoms are the way to go.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I am anti-grow light. They are expensive to buy, expensive to operate, take up way too much space, foster fungus gnat infestations, and create weak seedlings that need to be very carefully acclimated. My preferred method is to buy a small pop-up greenhouse and start them outdoors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3m8nJmshN6no6c It's cheaper, takes up less space and will produce stronger seedlings that require less acclimation, and you won't have a gnat infestation in your home.

[@drileydriley2814]

Per usual, ...AMAZINGLY helpful information - with EXPLANATION AS TO WHY the items are important! As always, THANK YOU. Excellent work. Thoroughly appreciate your effort(s)!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad the video could prove helpful. These little items make a world of difference.

[@creativegirlhomestead]

It was extremely hot today here in South Carolina but like you said, “Winter is coming”! 🥶 As always you bring the best information! Thank you for all you do and say “Hello” to Dale for me! Happy Gardening! 😊🌱❤️

[@TheMillennialGardener]

This weekend into next week is going to be brutal. Stay vigilant. It was 84 a couple days ago. Sunday thru Tuesday says upper 59's. Those are February temps!

[@creativegirlhomestead]

@@TheMillennialGardener OMG! Thanks to you I’m on it! Have several citrus plants to protect! Gotta harvest the rest of my tomatoes and believe it or not, a sugar baby watermelon and one last Seminole Pumpkin before the temp drop! Happy Gardening! 😊🌱❤️

[@amysnipes4245]

I save jumbo 6-packs from box store pansies, etc. They tend to be a slightly heavier duty plastic.

[@stephanyshaw281]

Thank you for your channel I am a coastal gardener from the west coast.

[@uprightfossil6673]

When I watch seed starting ideas, I am reminded of how much trouble it can be to constantly babysit seedlings. I plant whole trays of what I want and use thinning to select for the strongest plants to move to a bigger pot or the garden or the greenhouse. I got that from YOU. Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

There are much easier ways to do it, for sure. The easiest way to start seed, however, is always direct-sowing. Often, direct-sowing won't work because of climate reasons (too hot to direct-sow fall crops in summer, too cold to direct-sow summer crops in winter), but anything you can direct-sow will save you much time and maintenance. I direct-sowed my leaf lettuce in rows this year and boy, what a time-saver. Too bad romaine loves being transplanted.

[@uprightfossil6673]

@@TheMillennialGardener I look for the easies and cheapest way to go. Your ideas are tops in my book. Thanks again for all the fig videos. I am propagating constantly. Now I need some new varieties. All the best MG.

[@EvolutionWendy]

*_Millennial is offering valuable experience for those who want to put their money into a good gardening investment._* Every year I buy something extra to make my gardening easier. Those people who don't want to purchase-please don't gripe in comments. You don't have to purchase, This is not the venue to offer cheap workarounds. Experienced gardeners have valuable and important info, on what purchases are good investments. EX: San Diego Seed Company, says there's a watering nozzle with like a thousand holes in it for seedlings. I want one of those one day, when she demonstrated it and said "This is super useful" I took it under consideration. *_The last thing I need is a bunch of people chiming in, "LOL save money and put your thumb over the end of the garden hose and control the water droplets that way._*

[@Terri_Stauffer]

I ask friends who buy flats of flowers to save the containers for me to reuse. They are getting flimsy but hey I get a season out of them sometimes to and always being given new supply. Frost blankets are a must here in zone 5b.

[@Lalrinmawii7]

Thank you very much!! This video is so helpful to me. I am going to get them..I never use heat mat..now it makes sense why my seeds are having a hard time with germination..

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! The seedling heat mat will make germinating your summer plants a breeze. It cuts the time in half. Just make sure to take the seedlings off the heat mat as soon as they germinate, or else they will get leggy.

[@Biabueno78]

My experience with the large 72 cells seedling domes is that not everything germinates at the same time, so you might need to take that into consideration when sowing different germination rate plants. As a new gardener and with my limited space I find it difficult to manage. But I’ve learned soooo much from your channel ❤️ Thanks for all the education you do! I’m constantly watching and re-watching and taking notes 📝❤️

[@TheMillennialGardener]

There are some tricks to get around it. For example, peppers usually take 10-14 days to germinate on a heat mat, but tomatoes only take 5-7. So, it's a good idea to plant your peppers about 5 days before your tomatoes. Also, if you germinate on a heat mat in sun, they won't get leggy as quickly, so you can usually leave them on bottom heat a little longer during daytime. However, once some things germinate, you'll want to take the bottom heat off at night. Bottom heat + no sun = leggy seedlings. BUT, the good news is even if you have to pull the bottom heat off before everything germinates, the plants will have a reduced germination time overall.

[@evecampbell7744]

Love your videos! So helpful. Thank you.

[@D.G.Gardening]

Love your videos

[@jeanettestroot5606]

How do you hold down the large fruit tree covers without destroying them??? I love your idea of getting the special Christmas tree lights! I hope I can find then since the LED ones are so popular. If not you showed us where to get them! I would have never thought of keeping them on so the birds don’t get to them. Thanks for ALL of your helpful ideas 😁👍‼️. From zone 9 in CA!

[@mamtajaya6457]

I ordered my cell domes and heat mats. Will be delivered in 2 days ❤

[@kathleenpayne1991]

That was wonderful. Im sort of a neighbor im in Wilmington nc. I have a fig tree and 3 lemon trees in pots .this will be the second winter for them. Last year I brought them in the house but love learning about the jackets and lights. Thanks for the Info.

[@hanzketchup859]

Learning to grow edibles is a skill that will reward you in many ways , with the high food prices we need to consider community gardens , 9 acres properly managed by the locals can feed 1100 families a year , a great way to form a strong bond with others too , I told you the rewards are great , good nutrition leads to healthy minds and bodies , when a community is united there is even more rewards .

[@kanders7391]

Also you can use wooden pallets if you turn them on their side with the slats horizontal. Use a couple of boards on the sides to turn two pallets into a planter. Pour the water from the top and it waters all plants all the way down from the inside. With water a concern in many states, vertical gardening solutions will probably be the future.

[@kriswhite1344]

Just a lady in gbo,NC great information thanks

[@angyles1]

dude, the Christmas lights...brilliant.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It works great. I've been using them without fail for 4 years.

[@buckeyeheirloomseeds]

Your Style of Gardening is very close to mine. I follow you RELIGIOUSLY. I'm in Central Florida, but your Information even though we're quite a distance apart, you are MOST helpful for me. Thank You My Friend!!!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I'm glad the videos are helpful. Our climates are actually very similar. Summers are identical, and winters are similar aside from a 10-degree temperature difference.

[@mariap.894]

No winters for me, so I'm here for Dale🐕 the lawn potatoe🤣🤣🤣 I'd say the sun bathing beauty🥰😍🐕‍🦺🐶 He's the best!. Wish us luck with "Nicole", it's expecting to arrive Wednesday. Good luck to everyone 💓 💜 🌿🌻😊🙏

[@ThaStonedGardner]

I love peat pellets. Super easy to transplant when it's time.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I like them as well. They're also very low maintenance, so they're sterile and don't have the fungus gnat problems seed starting mix often has.

[@melanieallen3655]

Yes..I love my seed trays..My kids however reuse cups, because they just have2 or3 at a time...good video as usual.thanks!🙂Thats1 big seedling heat mat..I want1!!

[@andielliott7721]

Nice to see Dale has a collar and ID.... My dogs have nearly 2 acres fenced in BUT they still want a "walk". LOL Silly dogs!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Dale is chipped and always collared outside. He's precious cargo.

[@debbies2966]

I have a cattle panel greenhouse. I want to add raised beds along the sides which catches the rainwater runoff from the structure. I am thinking of leading the plastic inside the raised bed to guide the rain water. What are your thoughts and if possible can you do a video designing a simple runoff system for this idea. Thank you.

[@moondazed5451]

Winstrip trays are an excellent investment!

[@free2bfree583]

Excellent video (and channel). Your enthusiasm is a pleasure..

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoy it.

[@fareebug8439]

Incredible. I learned so so much! Fantastic ideas and tools/recommendations! ❤️ Thanks.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@tthappyrock368]

I had no idea we were in the same growing zone! Our weather has turned cold with 32ish overnight temps all this week. Your timing is impeccable! You've given me some ideas for protecting some of my plants that I can do today as well as the future! Great idea on using the heat mats to cure the sweet potatoes and yams! I've only dug up one planter and they were all too small. The leaves on mine haven't even begun to die--well they probably will tomorrow night if I don't cover them! Thank you so much!

[@randyman8984]

Are you sure you're in the same zone as he is, North Carolina? I'm right below him in Georgia and we've had very warm temperatures for the last week or two ,even in the mornings. We have some cold weather coming this weekend, its supposed to drop down in the high 20's overnight but still during the day it's getting up to high 50's

[@tthappyrock368]

@@randyman8984 yes, it's weird, but we're considered zone 8 now. I always thought we were in zone 7. Portland, Oregon Metro Area. Normally, our rainy season starts the beginning of September to mid September and it continues until the middle of May. We often get a week of sun in late February and one the week before the Rose Festival just to taunt us. Then, Rose Festival week it pours so the grounds turn to muck. Fun times 😂!

[@PlantObsessed]

I used your sweet potato method and they turned out great.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Great job! Congratulations!!

[@everydaydad2618]

This is extremely helpful info that I haven’t seen before. Thank you.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful!

[@rp6264]

FYI just went to my local Home Depot and some of the fertilizer is on sale. $1.70 blood meal. $2.20 bone meal. I also got some organic berry fertilizer for $2.90. Thank you for the tip last year.

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Thank you! Got my wish list on your Amazon store. My garden is going to be full blown amazing this year thanks to you. 🎉❤ Florida 9A. Weeki Wachee

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm so happy to hear that! Grow big! And thank you for your support.

[@dabeav1317]

Go to your local feed and seed store. Mine sells seeds by the ounce/bulk. Usually about $0.75 an ounce. That is way more than if you bought it in a packet.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

That's fine for large scale market gardeners looking to sow large rows of all the same variety, but it's not what small backyard gardeners like to grow. We like growing a whole bunch of different varieties. I grow 20+ different varieties of tomatoes and 15+ different varieties of peppers a year, and that's how most backyard gardeners like doing things. Unless you're selling stuff to stores, seed packets are the way to go. That's what makes gardening exciting and fun.

[@Chimel31]

Incandescent light bulbs are one of the most inefficient source of heat, and at the current price of electricity, it may be cheaper to switch to a different type of energy and heat distribution if you don't have solar panels. My rural city offers free compost that's usually smoking hot. I was planning on getting a small truckload of it in mid February, with some pipes of water redirecting the heat to my seedlings. It should probably be good for about a month of free heating, after which I can just get some more. I will also play with vacuum tube solar panels this winter to help with home heating. These things get crazy hot even in cold and cloudy weather. I use 12-cell trays with their own high lid. They work fine and last long, but they're high maintenance, as temperature inside the covered trays can easily reach the high 40°Cs right from the low 20°Cs when the weather alternates between cloudy and sunny stretches in a matter of minutes. I think an auto-regulated green house would be a better investment. Then it does not matter what kind of trays or pots you use or if they have individual covers or not and you can actually go for more durable options, and you can work elsewhere during the day knowing that your seedlings will always be at the optimal temperature. The weather is more fluctuating now than ever, with a warm season until much later in the year and much warmer during the season: In the 60s, we had only 1 day per year above 35°C in Toulouse. This year, it was 24 such hot days. Today, on November 8, the night was very warm and outside temperature is already above 20°C before noon (time of the full Moon). Now, I know that Nature does it to make it easier for us to walk out today and vote or play the Powerball, but I am in France!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Incandescent light bulbs are the best and easiest source of active heat for fruit trees. They are the safest method of applying heat, because fire hazards are real when it comes to actively applying heat. *Never* use heaters outdoors. It is a fire hazard. You need to consider safety when doing this. The cost is barely measurable. Even if you ran a big 175W strand of C9 lights for 8 hours a night, 20 nights a year, that's 28 kW-hours of electricity all year. The average cost of electricity in the US is $0.14/kW-hour. That means it costs $3.92. That's less than $4 a tree all winter long IF you decided to use the biggest strand of lights. Even if Europe's costs were 3 times ours in the US, we're talking less than 12 Euros a year, and we get a lot more freezes in the US than France, so it would probably even out.

[@Chimel31]

@@TheMillennialGardener Regulated electricity price with a day-night meter is about the same as yours, or c17.40/kWh without. I think the utilities that still bill c65+ will soon join the many utilities that went bankrupt in the past few months, because of the recent 12x wholesale price increase in Europe. Prices range between 8 and 30 eurocents depending on the country. But my point was mostly about the lost efficiency of a device originally meant for lighting, not heating. If going electric, a heating cable might be more efficient and much safer and less fragile than individual Christmas garlands. I don't even think I can find non LED ones. Anyway, your system is still super convenient and easy to link to a thermostat for worry-free automation. But what about Muslim families that don't have Christmas? 🙂 Still, I wouldn't rely on just grid electricity: Freezing cold weather might cause a power outage. A barrel of hot water is one possible backup plan for such cases. Farmers were burning straw and big heating candles in French vineyards last year...

[@mamtajaya6457]

Thanks brother. I needed that. Great information. I love it 😊

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@pamdonohue8991]

Snap….great info!!! Have a great day.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you! You, too!

[@TexasNana2]

Great information, thanks ❣🙂

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@valoriegriego5212]

Very good list! I've gotten a few things through your store and I'm happy with them.😃 Hey Dale!👋

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Dale and I thank you so much for your support ❤

[@helgeisonline2300]

Tank you for your very good video! I learnd some good things to start my seeds. Great! Regards and thanks from the 🌋Vulcano Eifel of Germany

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@zebeart8808]

Thanks for the great videos

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're very welcome! Thank you for watching them.

[@mamtajaya6457]

Amen brother great information

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thanks for watching!!

[@sylvia10101]

Thank you for this useful information! 😊👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad it was helpful!

[@doreenaitken5308]

just went thru Tropical Storm Nicole. Everything survived!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Good. Hopefully, you had minimal impact.

[@tammyreyers1119]

I will definitely look into a frost blanket! Last year was horrible with frost after the recommended date

[@TheMillennialGardener]

A lot of times, these "milder" winters have the latest frosts. The cold this year has been coming in waves, and I expect it to continue into March and April. Those winters that are more consistently cold seem to end earlier. Counterintuitive, I know, but it's what I notice. I expect late frosts this year.

[@juliehorney995]

Starting ASAP, save your plant pots and trays from any plants you buy (or even other garden stuff). Trade them for what you need with other gardeners 'cause they/we keep a lot more stuff than we really need.

[@terrinegron]

Perfect explanations. Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cski9148]

I make my own soil mix for seed germination.

[@ryanau7222]

This guy’s garden game is strong

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@carolynsteele5116]

Very cool ideas and suggestions!! Thanks so much!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@belindahopkins7875]

Wow that was a lot of information! Thanks

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@juliehorney995]

Hi. After watching this video yesterday, we put together a clamp shop light with a 60 watt incandescent bulb for each tall, raised Birdie bed. We had already made custom 6 mil covers over pvc/wood slat "ribs" to create mini hoop beds. Tonight I tested out clamping the shop light above the greens that are growing then applied the domed covers; had increased warmth that continued as night came and temps cooled. Freezing weather hits tomorrow night with 40s during the daytime. I'm thinking that the lights can't stay on all night and temps will cool even more, so I may add insulation (without blocking natural light) with a layer of frost cloth inside the plastic. Question: how many hours do I keep the lights on and at what times? First light is 7 am and night comes at 6pm. Noon to Midnight? The domes do warm up when it is sunny but the challenge will be keeping them warm inside as night falls. Come January and February we probably will be done for the season, here in zone 5b/6a. Thanks. Julie

[@tammyreyers1119]

I haven’t used a heat mat and almost have 💯 germination rate with most vegetable but our indoor temp is around 76

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Most things will eventually germinate, but a heat mat will dramatically speed up the process. Some things like hot peppers, ground cherries and some cucurbits may not germinate well, or at all, without a heat mat.

[@tammyreyers1119]

@@TheMillennialGardener thank you, I plan to grow ground cherries this year and would like an earlier start with peppers.

[@ginaalwaysavip1177]

Cold is coming here in NC in a few days..time to bring the plants in ...Thanks for sharing with us all.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Two cold nights, then back to seasonal temps. It's been a little too warm the last 2 weeks.

[@ginaalwaysavip1177]

@@TheMillennialGardener It sure has!

[@KatherineMedlin]

Thank you for being so informative! Question: What did you use in your walk area of your raised garden. Gravel is so expensive right now, what do you recommend ?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I use weed barrier. It's dirt cheap, and it prevents weeds nearly 100%. I almost never have to weed my garden anymore. I have it linked in my Amazon Storefront under Garden Accessories if you need some. Mine is as old as 4 years in areas, and it's good as new. I have a video on it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/joWUo5iFfpZga6c

[@walkerbunch06]

Genius idea on Christmas lights to establish some warmth. I noticed yours are strung up higher in your hoop beds. This weekend I plan on constructing a lower “box” with plastic to cover my fall/winter lettuce. Could the lights be placed directly on the ground? Thoughts on this?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

When I protect my fruit trees, I wrap my lights around the core of the trees along the main trunk. The reason why is I want to heat the heartwood as best as possible. If we had a bad winter and the trees die back to the main trunk, no big deal. I can lose some branches. If I lose the heart of the trunk, the tree's a goner. I recommend getting the lights inside to warm the center of the trunk most efficiently. For a small greenhouse enclosure, when I heated my hinged hoop house, I had the lights hanging off the top and on the soil. Just make sure your lights are outdoor rated.

[@47retta]

The hoop over your avocado tree....is it for frost blanket or plant jacket?

[@marlajestice7418]

Can you show how you apply the frost blanket, & jacket? Please

[@TheMillennialGardener]

It is for a plant jacket. I have a full tutorial on how to build it, including dimensions, here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWbTlJJ9js-sgas

[@sandieweatherup]

I wish they made one of those contraptions for turning the water main on & off. We turn our water main off when we leave town. It would be cool to turn on water main then drip irrigation via wifi & an app. 😁

[@contestwill1556]

they have hose timers that do that but you would still have to leave your main and spigot open which rightly or wrongly feels a little scary to me when I'm out of town

[@kaittemurry4740]

Winter is here.. already 20s at night

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Next week is going to be cold.

[@brettfoster6786]

I will need some seeds and the heat mat Thanks in advance. I’m new to this. I have 3 figs CH 3 blueberry in pots. I’m in Hannibal Mo. should I put them in the basement for the winter and bring them out in warm days to keep them alive? Trying to build a garden

[@evilroyslade2491]

Thanks. Great information.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@olafemio]

What are the best ways to protect your figs if you don't have a garage, conservatory, or sunroom?

[@beverlyboyce1041]

I don't like peat pellets, too much aggravation trying to keep accurately moist. I have many plug trays. I have lots of grow lights, some r very old, I have the big heat mat like yours and a good thermostat. Collar stays come in kits from Amazon and make good mini labels.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Peat pellets work very well for germinating seed, and because they're sterile, they have less chance of damping off than starting seed in potting mix during winter. Damping off is a real problem when using potting mix during the damp, cool conditions of winter. What I like to do is germinate in peat pellets, then quickly up-pot into 2.5"x2.5" pots after they get their first true leaves. It's an extra step, but I have the highest % success doing so.

[@beverlyboyce1041]

@@TheMillennialGardener I don't use potting mix for starting seeds but seed starting mix instead and I treat with boiling water treatment before using to kill fungal gnat eggs.

[@tomknack]

I'm kind of nervous using those frost bags over incandescent Christmas lights. Last year I wrapped red mini-lights around a metal tomato cage and placed the bag over the top. In a day or two, the bag showed scorch marks. Do you think they could be a fire hazard? On another note, also last year I apparently bought two different types of frost bags because one type was perfectly good for reusing this year, while the other type shredded like tissue and vanished. I don't know which is which.

[@dnp1776]

Wrap lites around trunks to keep heartwood warm.

[@CaroleMcDonnell]

Thanks so much.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You're welcome!

[@tipspetanimaju]

inspired, thank you,,👍

[@TheMillennialGardener]

You’re welcome!

[@tipspetanimaju]

@@TheMillennialGardener yes,,, I will learn a lot with you

[@jonathanharris8281]

Do you think i'd be able to grow a mango tree in zone 9b with a frost blanket like you do with the avocado tree? Btw the pepino melon plant i talked to you about before is from the tomato/pepper family (Solanaceae family), the name melon is because it tastes between a honey dew and cantaloupe, so i do think you could grow it and bring it indoors for winter.

[@terra448]

You would certainly be able to grow a mango in 9b. There are people in Orlando growing them. Just keep it short.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes, you will be able to grow a mango in Zone 9b, but not with just a frost blanket. They will freeze right through and damage or kill your mango. What you'll need is a plant jacket and a water barrel underneath + incandescent lights. Then, it will be a piece of cake. I recommend you watch my water barrel protection method here in this cold protection playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL1gY7BoYBGIG1w1u_K6CDIhfsqG8dMnPj The incandescent lights will add extra peace of mind, but they aren't mandatory. The water barrel may be enough, but I like being cautious.

[@jonathanharris8281]

@@terra448 Thanks.

[@jonathanharris8281]

@@TheMillennialGardener Thanks.

[@Livingsamsara]

Another tip that worked for me... but I am no professional so... please, if anyone has any tips as a heck no or a yes go, please feel free to chime in. I used my seed trays with coco coir. I'd ordered some bricks over Covid for projects [yes 2020] and they worked well for my winter seeds... EXCEPT for spinach. Zero spinach germinated while russian red kale, mesclun mix did well, carrots did well. Carrots and Kale also did well direct sowing and spinach seemed to only like the direct sowing. Maybe they hate the coir... idk. My point is: _Is coco coir a decent medium (usually) or not? I have 5 and 1/2 bricks left and would rather not spend a lot of money on seedling mix. SO glad I planted romaine seeds (direct sowing was VERY successful a month Sept 24th , Pee Dee area, S.C.) and we've already been harvesting some of the plants.

[@vlunceford]

I’m definitely no pro, either, but I like to use coconut coir also. I don’t use it “straight up,” though. I typically combine it with something like vermiculite - perlite would also work - and some seed starting mix or potting mix. To that I add a little bit of balanced starter fertilizer. I mix it up well and use that to fill my seed transplanting trays.

[@lexiferhdmi7544]

Great tips! I had a question for you with Tropical Storm Nicole coming, I was concerned with the amount of rain we are going to get for my potted fruit trees (fig, papaya, lemon, guava etc.). Any tips on how to keep them from getting overwatered? Hoping I can fit everything in my garage! Thanks!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Where are you located? They only have 1-2 inches forecast for my area, 2-3 inches for most of South Carolina and the worst of Florida is in the 4-6 inch range. I've had that much rain on afternoon storms in June, July and August numerous times. The only way to truly protect them is to pick them up and move them under cover of some sort. I would not do something like throw a tarp over them, because it will become a wind sail and could get so heavy it may break things. Figs are done for the year, so I don't care what happens to them at this point. They're heading into dormancy. Here is the newest rainfall map: www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at2+shtml/205527.shtml?rainqpf#contents

[@lexiferhdmi7544]

@@TheMillennialGardener central Florida, Clermont to be exact. I saw 2-3 inches. I was worried about root rot! I’ll go ahead and leave them out, it was a crazy time moving them all last time. Been raining on and off all day today and expecting it to rain from tomorrow afternoon until early evening. Appreciate your response 😁

[@rosaarias7128]

i saw that sweet potato napping in your garden

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I have a whole bed full 😜

[@Robot_Cajun]

I purchased incandescent mini bulbs after you posted your previous winter gardening video and used them for the first time last night. I noticed that they were very cool to the touch even after being on for several hours. The box says that they are incandescent and 75 watts. If I did not know any better, I would swear that they are LEDs. Are your bulbs warm/hot to the touch?Thanks.

[@K-Zone]

Thanks! I like the coco coir and sand mix for my seed starting mix. I use an aquarium heater with a thermometer on it to heat my plants in like a cold frame greenhouse. I don't trust seedling heat mats enough lol, I've seen a bad experience happen from a few of those. Do you have any currant videos? How to grow, etc. I've heard they're good, but I can't seem to find a reputable seller online, or maybe I'm just unsure of what to look for

[@raestrength1852]

Can you tell me exactly which item is the Plant Jacket with the drawstring bottom? When I looked under your "Greenhouse Accessories" they all appear to be blankets without the drawstring. I'm sure I'm overlooking it, but I want to make sure I choose the right item. Thanks!

[@SWilliams655]

Plant jacket or DIY Greenhouse with plastic. What do you think is best for Houston?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Plastic greenhouses don’t work here, because it is too hot during the day and they lose 100% of their heat during the night. They’ll roast everything during the day if you don’t vent it, and they freeze solid as cold as outdoors at night. They’re only useful for starting seedlings for me. I’m not sure what your goal is, but if you need to protect fruit trees, you need a plant jacket and something warming inside.

[@SWilliams655]

@@TheMillennialGardener great feedback. I have 4 citrus about the size of your avocado and 2 small ones. Trying to figure out an efficient way to cover them (specially the Lemon & Lime). Was thinking of doing what you did but a larger one that can house all 6 plants. Think that’ll work with a frost blanket and lights?

[@cherylhowker1792]

It’s very helpful except I can’t order from your Amazon as I’m in the uk. I tried and it wanted to charge me lots and lots for delivery etccas out of the country 19:47 14/12/22

[@MsCaterific]

💚

[@erikutube33]

The peat pellets are not a good idea… we did that the first year and the roots have a hard time getting out of the wraps. Those wraps weren’t even decomposed at the end of the harvest season. My advice, avoid them!! Get the potting mix/seed starting mix in the trays and you’ll be far ahead!

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I always remove the wraps. They take 2 seconds to peel off. The peat pellets work phenomenally well, because they help prevent damping off disease. Potting mixes are not sterile, so seed-starting with them in winter can lead to disease. The peat pellets work wonderfully to avoid that.

[@contestwill1556]

i know they say that will degrade, just leave it or whatever but its a lie! so you just cut or rip a tiny bit at the top and the paper peels right off before you stick it in the soil

[@erikutube33]

Ok, thanks for the input… still think it’s terrible they don’t dictate this as a necessity, wrecked a lot of seedlings not knowing this.

[@dwayneburgess4086]

What Community Guide Lines?

[@JennTheFrugalMom]

After buying all of this and seeds ect is it cost effective?

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Yes. By far. You can buy all of this equipment and all the seeds for less money than buying transplants outright, and now you'll have all of the equipment *and* plenty of seeds leftover for next season.

[@JennTheFrugalMom]

@@TheMillennialGardener I live in Pennsylvania, do u have videos showing what grows here in colder weather

[@shekharmoona544]

Is lettuce grow cost effective? I feel their fertilizer is a little expensive.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Lettuce grow? I'm not sure what you mean. I feel like it was a phone autocorrect.

[@mamacellym]

@@TheMillennialGardener I think this person is asking about the hydroponic system, Lettuce Grow.

[@wowyummyyy]

L I K E👍👍👍 👍👍 👍👍 💯💯💯🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Thank you!

[@horta-mansan6972]

I also don't know why the vegetable plants are so expensive there were you live, I only pay 5 cents for a lettuce plant and 20 cents for a tomato plant.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

Anywhere that's stocked by commercial plants from Bonnie and other large nurseries, that's how much they cost everywhere. Lowes, Home Depot, grocery stores, supermarkets, small mom-and-pop stores - they're all the same, and I live in an area that's usually cheaper than the national average. It's always cheaper to start your own seed, and the plants grow better, too, because they are better acclimated to your garden.

[@asasupplies8749]

The current policies of this admin are causing these things to go up. Be self-sufficient and do not depend on the gov.

[@buckeyeheirloomseeds]

So, Off Topic. I watched your video on Avocados. I bought 2 from plantOgram. Free shipping right now, I ordered them Tuesday afternoon, and they were here Wednesday in less than 24 hours. I haven't seen them yet, have to get past Hurricane.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

My Lila came from PlantOGram, and it was a beautiful tree. They're a little more expensive, but they ship really large trees compared to most online sellers.

[@lynnwhal6190]

i enjoy all ur vids...im in same zone/tx...just watched 'Top 10 Fig'??? have u heard @ Stark bros. "Little Ruby fig"; or "LSU purple" ,they sound interesting! thnx

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm familiar with the LSU figs, which was a breeding program many decades ago that used 'Celeste' as the female parent in an attempt to make rain-resistant figs that can tolerate the climate of the Deep South. I don't grow any of the LSU varieties personally, so I cannot review them.

[@michschep7601]

This works in far southern states only.... for the rest of the country, forget it

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I'm in North Carolina. Not exactly far south 😆 Before I lived here, I lived in NJ and PA. The same techniques worked there. I've never own a grow light in my life.

[@terrieholloway9066]

Thanks!!

[@jamestboehm6450]

You missed LED grow lights. We far north growers can grow indoors. Cool house, swiss chard, spinach, radishes, bok choy and other cool weather crops. Containers with bottoms are the way to go.

[@TheMillennialGardener]

I didn't miss them. I just don't use them. I loathe starting seed indoors. The acclimation process is terrible, the fungus gnat problem is terrible, the space it takes up, the electricity use...I'm anti-grow light for starting seeds. A better investment is one of these pop-up greenhouses, which will allow you to start seeds outdoors in UV without the grow-light process: kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3m8nJmshN6no6c The only time I would ever use a grow light is if I was forced to overwinter tropical plants indoors at a high latitude. Then, you may need supplemental lights, but for seed-starting, I don't see a need when you can get a pop-up greenhouse instead.

[@jamestboehm6450]

@@TheMillennialGardener I was inferring indoor growing up north when temps were freezing or below. One deals with gnats when one wants greens and other veg. May be the only way to have these things if things go sideways.