New grow table and seeds are up

[attml]

Well thanks to this site and other information I have found on the internet my tomato season is under way. This is my first year planting seeds. In anticipation of my seeds sprouting I built myself a seed lighting grow table. As I start transplanting into larger containers I will probably add a second light fixture. I planted some Matina and Sungold F1 early just to test the waters which you can see below. I planted all of my seed for this year on Saturday and I already have seedlings popping up. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that has helped me get to this point and wanted to share a few pictures.

[kath]

Very nice setup for your first year planting seeds! Think I grew mine in the window for about a decade before graduating to a shop light propped up with books.
A proud moment when they break through the soil, huh?
Thanks for sharing the pictures. Wishing you continued success.

[attml]

Kath,

Thank you very much! I am very excited about the growing season! The ones that have popped up so far are: Big Beef, Sungold F1, Dagma's Perfection, Gardners Delight, Black Krim, Gary Ibsen Gold, Mule Team, Mexico, Chocolate Stripes, Costoluto Genovese, 1884, Virginia Sweets, Cherokee Purple, Kellogg's Breakfast, Camp Joy, Lucky Cross, Marianna's Peace, Brandywin (Sudduth), and Todd County Amish.

Mark

[brokenbar]

There will come a day when you will "harken back to simplerdays of old" while you are busy raising 15 shop lights for the third time in 2 weeks and trying to get the chains that hold them up even and wondering if 750 seedlings and 40 varieties is really enough and then remembering that someone was offering free seeds and there might be a few varieties you missed....

This is where it all starts...one lousy shop light and down the slippery slope you go!
And your seedlings look happy!

[Wargamer777]

Originally Posted by kath

Very nice setup for your first year planting seeds! Think I grew mine in the window for about a decade before graduating to a shop light propped up with books.
A proud moment when they break through the soil, huh?
Thanks for sharing the pictures. Wishing you continued success.

LOL.. that's my idea there you stole.

I'm looking at my 2 shop lights propped up by books, and motherboard boxes from computers.

[rwsacto]

That seedling table is WAY too uncluttered!

[newatthiskat]

I am going to have about a million seedlings without lights. No telling how bad it would get with them Do you mean with lights I can grow more? It is bad enough that I am eyeing the empty lot next door and thinkging that nobody really knows where the boundries are except my family and the long lost owner. And everyone already thinks it is ours when it is not. Hmmmmmm. Where are those shop lights and free seed offers LOL I am oging to say brokenbar gave me the ideas
Kat

[brokenbar]

Originally Posted by newatthiskat

I am going to have about a million seedlings without lights. No telling how bad it would get with them Do you mean with lights I can grow more? It is bad enough that I am eyeing the empty lot next door and thinkging that nobody really knows where the boundries are except my family and the long lost owner. And everyone already thinks it is ours when it is not. Hmmmmmm. Where are those shop lights and free seed offers LOL I am oging to say brokenbar gave me the ideas
Kat

What's that you say? Vacant lot? It is your CIVIC DUTY to eradicate the weeds and provide a pleasant viewing experience for anyone passing by. I say you declare "Eminent Tomato Domain "which is right #9 in the "Tomato Grower's Bill Of Rights".

Get out you pencil and paper and start drawing up a schematic and let no person bar your way!

[newatthiskat]

"Tomato Growers Bill of rights" love that I am so close to doing it. I have been looking at it for years and last time had hubby only encroach a few inches. Problem is then everyone would think I have to mow it as well
Kat

[attml]

Thanks for the replies!

You are not kidding around about this hobby becoming addictive! Last year I had 8 plants and was initially thinking about doing 12 this year. I have 39 seed cells filled each with a different variety for this season. I still have no clue where they are all going to go? When I left the house for work this morning 37 of the 39 cells had visible sprouts. I have them on a heat/seed mat. Most of the cells received 3 to 5 seeds per cell so I am very happy that I am getting good germination. I am hoping the last 2 will be up when I get home from work. The seed tray will go under the grow light tonight when I get home. I just need to figure out if I will pull the seed tray cover off and if I will still leave the seed tray on the heat mat? It stays about 64-66 degrees in my basement. Any recomendations would be appreciated!

Mark

[kath]

Lights are needed at the first sprout! Seeds can germinate in the light. I'd take the cover off asap, too. You can cut a little piece of plastic wrap if you still want a "cover" over any of the cells. That basement temp should be ok but if you want it a bit warmer you could prop up the seedling tray a bit above the heating mat; shouldn't leave the seedling tray in direct contact with the heating mat now that you've got so many sprouts. Keep them within an inch or two of the lights for 16 hrs./day.

Very exciting! You'll find a place for them by the time they're ready to go outside.

[attml]

Thanks Kath! I appreciate it!

[Paul R]

Brokenbar's first post sums it up perfectly! Looking good there attml!

Paul R