Diatomaceous Earth as a seed starting medium

b54red · October 13, 2012

Rockporter, I have had lots of problems with spinach in the past. It is very difficult to get a good stand for planting out and even more difficult when seeding them directly in the garden. I always buy two or three different varieties since one will always seem to germinate better one year than the others. It is also the seed that I get the lowest germination on of any other plant until very recently when I started using the Ultrasorb this fall.

The Ultrasorb has given me the best germination I have ever had with spinach seed. One thing that you have to do is start the seed indoors where it is as cool as possible. It seems that spinach seed sprout much better in cool conditions. I still have not set mine outside to harden off because it is still too warm. I like to wait til the days stay in the lower 70s most of the time before letting them outside.

October 13, 2012	#11
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	Rockporter, I have had lots of problems with spinach in the past. It is very difficult to get a good stand for planting out and even more difficult when seeding them directly in the garden. I always buy two or three different varieties since one will always seem to germinate better one year than the others. It is also the seed that I get the lowest germination on of any other plant until very recently when I started using the Ultrasorb this fall. The Ultrasorb has given me the best germination I have ever had with spinach seed. One thing that you have to do is start the seed indoors where it is as cool as possible. It seems that spinach seed sprout much better in cool conditions. I still have not set mine outside to harden off because it is still too warm. I like to wait til the days stay in the lower 70s most of the time before letting them outside.