9 Tips For Successful Seed Starting

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If you're just starting out gardening in 2023, please check out my Amazon Affiliate links below to get the right tools for the job! It doesn't cost you a cent, but this channel receives a small incentive for any items purchase through Amazon. Happy Gardening! Seedling Trays! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3xiKAgi Amazon USA: amzn.to/3DWD2DR Amazon UK: amzn.to/3RRlrCQ pH/Water/Light Meter Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3yafmrV Amazon USA: amzn.to/3OKRW30 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3nvEIM4 Composting Tumbler! Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39CgtYw Amazon USA: amzn.to/39Dha49 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3yLsKVf Handy 12-piece Garden Tool Set!: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3jsNIyk Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YZhFwx Amazon UK: amzn.to/3qapNql Hand Pruners: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2YSIFxP Amazon USA: amzn.to/3q3Oftq Amazon UK: amzn.to/2YR3Xf8 Watering Can: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/39U4nIc Amazon USA: amzn.to/2YR3p94 Amazon UK: amzn.to/3oX7hAa Spray Gun: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aBxijm Amazon USA: amzn.to/3aL7UHS Amazon UK: amzn.to/3ruol1Z Gardening Gloves: Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2Lt6ZDx Amazon USA: amzn.to/3tzJ32t Amazon UK: amzn.to/3jpf1cU

[@ArtFlowersBeeze8815]

Nice video Jeff. Great set up and editing!

[@wedtokerhimrarib3123]

I will never get tired of your educational gardening videos.keep them coming.Thanks Jeff.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much! I hope to, as much as possible!

[@melindaroth5796]

YEAH JEFF WE ALWAYS TILLED OUR BACK YARD AND A THE LADY AT FEED STORE SAID USE 20 20 20 FERTILIZER. NOTHING WORKED. SO NOW WE ARE GOING WITH BEDS AND CONTAINERS. I PRAY WE GET PROTECTION 🙏

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You got this Melinda....take it one crop at a time. Cultivate the SOIL to support the plants....

[@kissingbanditt]

Incredible content. Im in Ontario Canada. Started seeding a week ago on 5 of the 72 cell seedling trays. Thumbs up 👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Theo! What you gonna be growing for 2023??

[@rosalindhb]

I'm pumped for seed starting. I did buy a few starts of peppers and tomatoes because mine died off last year shortly after transplanting. Hopefully my seedlings we do better this year in Texas.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I'm with you Rosalind...always nice to have the option to supplement with store bought in a pinch!

[@johnjude2685]

I've improved my system. Last season I use Sparking Ice beverage containers and because they have straight sides and large enough I don't need to transplant my seedlings save time and work. This season I've spray paint so shield the roots from sunlight. Also have plastic milk crates to hold them and dip.into a tub of water and then drain into the tub. The containers allow for big long roots and did great last year 👏 I'm welcoming spring as you too Thanks 👍 Thanks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Bottom watering is just so much better John...glad to see you utilizing it man!

[@elizaC3024]

Timely as ever! Thanks for the refresher.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Elizabeth, thanks for watching! Happy seeding!

[@kittiew260]

This winter has been so warm, just was out in the garden looking at fall brassica, onions, strawberry plants, garlic and blueberry bushes, roses and more starting to pop up. Guess my plants know something I don't mother nature still say winter. I did start some onions because they take forever & can be planted early however I am not starting too soon, next week, super hot peppers & some herbs. Outside that nothing major until March 4th. The waiting is the hardest part.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Sounds like its going to be a FULL garden this year Kittie!!

[@melindaroth5796]

JEFF, I THANK FATHER GOD FOR YOU BROTHER IN JESUS NAME 🙏 🙌 I'M LEARNING SO MUCH. I'M SENDING YOUR VIDEOS TO MY SON AND MY NEPHEW. ANOTHER LADY AT A FEED STORE SAID JUST PLANT ALL YOUR SEEDS THE SAME DEPTH HALF INCH. I WANTED TO CALL HER UP AND SAY LADY YOU NEED TO WATCH JEFF ON KZbin 😆 LOL SHE MIGHT LEARN SOMETHING TOO. THANKS JEFF. GOD BLESS 🙌 🙏

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha you know better than that!! Cheers Melinda!

[@michaelmarchione3408]

I just started starting some of our plants three years ago. Before that it was about 50 years ago. It is nice that I can get a refresher course by watching your shows! We don't have a lot of indoor space so I do most of it by winter sowing, either in milk jugs or in a about 2' x 4' x 5' high greenhouse on the patio...used as a giant milk jug last year lol. I've had some pretty good luck with tomatoes, peppers, and even eggplant. They are a month behind here in U.S. zone 4a, but I still get enough fruit to add to the starts we buy locally. It is amazing at how that type of sowing works. I also started three years ago Italian Sage and Basil in May when it warmed up a little. Our transplanting can't start until the last weekend of May and then there is still a chance of late frost and/or snow. Enjoyed as always! Take care Jeff!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Michael, what veggies are you tackling this year??

[@michaelmarchione3408]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Yellow Monster Sweet Peppers, King of the North Sweet Bell Peppers, Cherokee Purple Tomatoes, Spoon Tomatoes (a micro cherry), Merlot Red Lettuce (leaf type), Black Beauty Zucchini, Golden Delicious Winter Squash, Alaska Peas, and a String Bean named Jade. If my Giant of Italy Parsley comes back it will be 9 years so I'm planting more just in case it doesn't. Plus Genovese Basil.

[@sandrarichardson2713]

I think I have it right then things don't go just right. This is one of the most complete videos on this subject of just getting the plants out the gate. Thanks for your help. I love your channel. It's always helpful information and presented in a no nonsense format. Jesus bless.

[@veselacastell9052]

You always make the best educational videos! Thank you for all the info you gave!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Vesela, too kind! 🙂

[@MorroccoM13]

So comprehensive and succinct as always from Jeff.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey thanks! It was a lot of info, no doubt! 🙂

[@gaymosby4670]

Mate this was fantastic and most helpful. My season is different to yours here on Phillip Island Australia but i just adjust. I am now an avid follower and have been watching a number of your videos.Sincerly David

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, right on man! Glad to be of help! You guys are probably just the exact opposite (summer = winter), so not too complicated to relate and apply! Cheers David! 🙂

[@dvssayer5621]

Yes, well now I have trays full of healthy seedlings! NOW WHAT? I guess I've got to plant them all up to 4" pots, and because this is washington state, ill have to transplant them up to bigger pots before they can go outside! Did you ever feel overwhelmed at tons of seedling needing care? I still cannot believe they turned into plants and they are so healthy but they are getting too tall for under the grow light in the shelf!! Time to start more too.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Its a total timing thing dvs....for some of my plugs, I can hold them back and stagger them straight to outside......for others, they gotta transition to larger pots first. Always a constant juggling act!

[@Whistlewalk]

Thank you. You reminded me of a couple of things I needed to remember. Ta - from the Island.

[@gayleridgway8233]

Great job recapping these 9 tips. Wish I had this info 20 years ago!! Oh well. The other tip i learned was using a gentle fan when the seedlings are about 2” to strengthen their stems. Thanks for all your tips. I still am learning…. I use your formula for soil in my raised boxes for veges. It is awesome

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Air motion is a GREAT tip, it really does help! Thanks gayle. :-)

[@hjerte20]

I got a smart tip, fertilized soil at the bottom of the pot, and start soil at the top. So when the plant gets long roots, they reach down to the fertilized soil.. Love from north Norway.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Heidi! Have you tried this with many types of plants?

[@hjerte20]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms I just learned it 4 days ago, on a inspirational course for garden enthusiasts

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@hjerte20 good timing!

[@hjerte20]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms A little early, here i live, last frost date is 15 Juni. I have sown a lot of chili types, because they have to live inside most of the grow time:-)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@hjerte20 15th of June Heidi??? Oh wow, that is a SHORT summer!!

[@waynesell3681]

Really like your garden quickies!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Wayne, appreciate it!

[@cyndiesmith2516]

How high above the grow trays should the light hang? When and how long do you use a clear cover?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I pop the clear cover off when true leaves appear.... Lights should be 6 inches or so above the plants

[@donnakacz6460]

Hi Jeff. Very inspiring. Thanks so much.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Donna, thanks for watching!!

[@urssya951]

Thank you

[@jasminewilliams2806]

Thanks, Jeff! Needed this video.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Jasmine, thanks so much for the support!!

[@shirleyk623]

Great tips for new and seasoned gardeners. Thanks for sharing. I have an off topic question.... My strawberries are a little tart. What can I do to change that? Please advise, I have a lot of berries in various stages of ripening and I'd like to be able to eat them. Thanks for the help. 🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Shirley! For tart strawberries, its usually mismatched fertilizer or too hot. That's what I've found.

[@shirleyk623]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms It's not hot right now but I could use some advice on what type of fertilizer to use and the NPK. I have espoma garden tone, bone meal, Dr Earth's liquid plus fish emulsion. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks 😄

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@shirleyk623 I got you covered Shirley! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIvHpJeZjKiXhdk

[@shirleyk623]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thanks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@shirleyk623 🙂

[@2ndchancecreationsbychrist12]

This was a great video, all made sence and will definitely help me this time around. Thank you 👌

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey right on, best of luck this season!

[@acolley2891]

Compost is nutrient rich. Thank you for the tips!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Definitely is....that's why I only use a small amount...mostly coconut fiber and vermiculite/perlite....

[@gazellecarlson6543]

so excited to start up..

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

It's getting close Gazelle!!

[@gazellecarlson6543]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms i have 2 feet of snow on my garden beds.. its crazy over here. but i love the challenge and all you tips thx again

[@oceansoul3694]

This is a wonderful video. I'm 70 now, an old gardener, and I've always started my seeds indoors (in Coloradao you have to). My tomatoes are under a 'sunblaster' light, and a gentle fan is on them also, but I'm wondering if you could recommend a better grow light. I'm growing Sophie's Choice tomatoes, and they look a little leggy. The older ones look fine. Keep the faith, this winter will be over, 39 something days 'til the Equinox!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much! Sophie's Choice...I think that that one is from Canada! Should do well for you. Its a bush slicer from what I recall. Plant it deep, you got this! 🙂

[@marthachisnell3346]

Great info. What is the optimal distance between sprouts/plants and the light source?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Martha! I start them off strong....8-10 inches for most commercial grow LED's...

[@tracycouture3955]

Blessings

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

You too Tracy!!

[@k.p.1139]

Morning, Jeff! Can you address the elephant in the room? 😆 It depends on who you are talking to, but, that 'days to harvest" has never made sense for me. Many say you start the clock on day you move the plants into the ground. It seems to me like it should be from the day it sprouted. It sure would be nice to have a definitive answer on that and the reason why is "the window to grow". I'm in Florida where we can grow, year round. But, just like you we do have windows. Once the sun is in full summer mode, and the heat is set to HOT..We lose the best growing conditions for things like tomatoes. I really want to focus on plants that will at least give me a harvest for a few weeks, even days before the sun beats the tar out of the plants. This has been my garden stressor.. WILL they make it before it gets to hot?!? Thanks for everything. You and Gardener Scott, have become my go-to- guys for the basics.

[@sherylschannel4458]

Great ideas thank you for sharing.

[@fishingwithfilitsa]

So beautiful👍👍😍😍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers!

[@blackheartvamp1]

Thanks for all the info! I started some onions but the seedlings are flopping over! Is there something I need to fix?

[@rosedowling3690]

Love your videos.. I do have a few questions, do you fertilize once the seedlings have 2 sets of true leaves and when do you transfer them to another type of soil instead of a seed starting mix purchased from store?

[@AmourEtLiberte888]

Thank you so much! Needed this video….You are really good at explaining and right speech debit…Big fan! My last frost is almost the end of May…So I am using a dodecahedron house and turning it into a green house. The wood stove really helps :) Not sure how I will remove some the the sections of the roof to get more lights…may be using huge hard plastic as windows ??? Any ideas? I do have large windows on the main floor facing south and west but that is it…trying to avoid hydro for lights…My first time :)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks France-Josee! Polycarbonate sheets work AMAZING for that kind of stuff. Plastic degrades in a single season and glass is hard for the average person to work with. Polycarbonate is light, cuts with an exacto, and idestructible!

[@francisandrecyk5591]

Hi Jeff. I watch and love your videos. I have a question that I cant find an answer for. I started some seeds today in the seed trays indoors and was wondering when they get bigger can I put them in my hot house. After about 8 weeks it will only be May 11, 5 weeks before our last frost date. If I keep the temperature in the hot house at a correct temperature will I be fine with my plants. I live in zone 6a, Cape Breton, NS. Thanks Francis.

[@rodnawilliams9398]

have you ever used peat humus? can i use the humus instead of compost? what i did was .. mixed spagnum peat, peat humus, perlite with bone meal and blood meal to use as a starter mix ... will this work to give me viable seedlings? i started seeds using just peat moss and perlite ... yes the sprouted, but they are just sitting there and not going or growing .. i am determined to get something more than a couple handfuls of zuchini or a handful of pea pods this year .. if god is willing

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, peat is the industry standard. I don't use it anymore because of environmental reasons, but it is a superior sprouting product! I don't bother mixing nutrients, but the slow release ones won't hurt.

[@rodnawilliams9398]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thankyou for aswering .. i do prefer coco coir but the price difference was the deciding factor there

[@daleglenny8253]

You didn’t mention soil blockers. These eliminate plastic containers completely…put the blocks in old metal baking trays to do away with plastic altogether. My favourite size is the mini 5 cell blocker but I have the 20 and the 4 (the 20 blocks fit into the 4 for potting on). There’s never any root bounding as they air prune and minimal transplant shock once you plant them out.

[@warzshadow9701]

2nd year I start them to late, here in Florida it's going from 70 to 90 degrees, all in 1 week. Is there a particular way to put the seeds in the soil, like the pointy part down or up?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

No, even the big seeds, the tap root and initial shoot figure out orientation pretty quick! 🙂

[@michelerichard5523]

Hi Jeff. I am totally at a loss to what shop lights to get. I have been looking online to see what is available but there’s just too many to decide which is the right bulbs to get. I had previously asked you what your thoughts are on a 48 watt 6300 lumens/ 6500 k with an output of cool white. You mentioned to supplement with light from a window and they “SHOULD”work. I do not have access to window lighting and your word”should work” concerns me. I’m wondering if you receive full spectrum once the lumens or the k’s are in the higher number. I’ve been growing under bulbs of 4200 L and 6500 k but some of my peppers last season started to set flowers before I could get them outside. Could be the lighting doesn’t have enough of the proper colour range for vegging only. What bulbs do you use? and is the 6300L/6500K strong enough with cool output. I did see some bulbs with 60 watt, 7800L/5000K with daylight output. I have no idea what to shop for and it is stopping me from setting up my grow room. Should lumens or k’s be the higher number?I hope you can direct me into what I should be looking for.🙏

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hi Michele , if you're in doubt, then you gotta go LED grow lights. Proper ones designed for growing plants. The ones under 100W are quite inexpensive now and are a superior product to any sort of LED shop lighting you'll find.

[@jeffg8674]

My squash seeds quickly got to five inches with two top leaves. Is this ok or did I do something wrong. This is how they are now do i need to start over. Thanks.

[@susanhageman5559]

What is the best temperature to germinate them

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

75F to 85F (24C to 29C)

[@susanhageman5559]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thank you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@susanhageman5559 no problem! :-)

[@chocolatetickles]

So would it be faster if you just did the paper towel trick to get them to sprout and THEN put them in the seed trays or is that just a waste of time?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

I only do the paper towel trick as a last resort to test for seed viability. Normally, seeds just sprout, so it would be extra work for no reason. Cheers!

[@chocolatetickles]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Thank you for making the best videos! Great editing and wonderful advice. :)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@chocolatetickles hey, no problem at all! Thanks for all the support and the kind words!!

[@melindaroth5796]

JEFF, DO YOU HAVE A CHART ON SEED INFORMATION. MY HUSBAND BOUGHT SEEDS IN PACKAGING WITH NO INFO. ON THEM. THEY WROTE NAME OF SEEDS ON PACKAGING. WE WERE UPSET FOR SURE.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

What varieties Melinda...we can hammer it out right here so everyone can chime in (and learn!).

[@melindaroth5796]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms ROMA TOMATO, BLACK BEAUTY ZUCCHINI, CUCUMBER, YELLOW STRAIGHT NECK SQUASH, OKRA, SWEET CORN JEFF. WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WRONG FOR YEARS

[@rawhoney2199]

What if I cant bottom water?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Use a mister/spray to more gently water and not blast the seeds

[@rawhoney2199]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms thank you

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@rawhoney2199 no problem!

[@sbernitta]

How do you get rid of gnats

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Peroxide sbernitta or sand on top of the soil (they hate it)

[@matthewkurt2246]

You can also use a fan. It will not only keep the soil surface drier, keeping gnats away, but the wind the fan creates will cause the plants to sway a bit, which will give you stronger plants.

[@ppodders]

Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) is a great solution for chronically wet areas or standing water. It doesn't harm people, pets, or plants, and, if mosquitoes are an issue where you live, you should be able to find it locally in the form of "mosquito bits"

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@matthewkurt2246 Definitely...they hate air motion. Same with spider mites.

[@matthewkurt2246]

@The Ripe Tomato Farms thank you for the approval of my response.

[@coloradoprofessionalinspec720]

I think you skipped thinning.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

The video was about germination and the few days after. Thinning comes much later in the process normally.

[@robbiesnipe]

Anyway to get in touch for one on one help? Email, discord, etc?