A Jury-rigger's Guide to Seedstarting

Hotwired · December 1, 2012

I had all kinds of problems starting seeds inside a few years back, so I volunteered at the local greenhouse, potting, watering, etc. I befriended the owner and worked my butt off nights and weekends for free, and I learned a lot about growing from seeds and cuttings. I didn’t have the deep pockets it would require to set up an operation like they had, but I was able to achieve similar results by being creative.

I photo-documented my methods in a downloadable PDF
http://www.hotwiredgardens.com/pdf/G...d_starting.pdf

There's nothing more dangerous than an engineer with a garden.....

Hotwired
http://www.hotwiredgardens.com/pdfs.html

greyghost · December 1, 2012

Thanks for posting your articles. I can't wait to get time to read them completely-we're raking a ton of leaves while the weather co-operates.
You really did a great job in growing as well as documenting your project.
Darlene

December 1, 2012

Hotwired, that is a great document.Thanks

matereater · December 1, 2012

I like the idea of your 'mold' for potting up the seedlings, think I'll give that a try this spring. Thanks!

akgardengirl · December 1, 2012

Thank you, the documentation was very informative. I don't grow anyways near the volume that you do but do have some of the challenges living here in AK.
Sue

Hotwired · December 8, 2012

Thanks, it's not for everyone, but it works extremely well for me. I take a lot of heat at times because I'm encouraging using plastic-wrapped electric blankets for heat mats. If you can afford to buy professional equipment - go for it. I'm a definite jury rigger. I pride myself on being able to do the impossible for half the price and in 1/4 of the time.

An Engineer with a Garden is a dangerous thing.

December 1, 2012	#1
Hotwired Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ithaca, NY - USDA 5b Posts: 241	A Jury-rigger's Guide to Seedstarting I had all kinds of problems starting seeds inside a few years back, so I volunteered at the local greenhouse, potting, watering, etc. I befriended the owner and worked my butt off nights and weekends for free, and I learned a lot about growing from seeds and cuttings. I didn’t have the deep pockets it would require to set up an operation like they had, but I was able to achieve similar results by being creative. I photo-documented my methods in a downloadable PDF http://www.hotwiredgardens.com/pdf/G...d_starting.pdf There's nothing more dangerous than an engineer with a garden..... Hotwired http://www.hotwiredgardens.com/pdfs.html

December 1, 2012	#4
matereater Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: S.E. Michigan (Livonia) Posts: 1,264	I like the idea of your 'mold' for potting up the seedlings, think I'll give that a try this spring. Thanks! __________________ Steve Cleverly disguised as a responsible adult

December 1, 2012	#2
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	Thanks for posting your articles. I can't wait to get time to read them completely-we're raking a ton of leaves while the weather co-operates. You really did a great job in growing as well as documenting your project. Darlene

December 1, 2012	#3
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	Hotwired, that is a great document.Thanks

December 1, 2012	#5
akgardengirl Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4 Posts: 1,410	Thank you, the documentation was very informative. I don't grow anyways near the volume that you do but do have some of the challenges living here in AK. Sue

December 8, 2012	#6
Hotwired Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ithaca, NY - USDA 5b Posts: 241	Thanks, it's not for everyone, but it works extremely well for me. I take a lot of heat at times because I'm encouraging using plastic-wrapped electric blankets for heat mats. If you can afford to buy professional equipment - go for it. I'm a definite jury rigger. I pride myself on being able to do the impossible for half the price and in 1/4 of the time. An Engineer with a Garden is a dangerous thing.