Let’s Get a Jump Start on Growing the Food!
Volunteer Today: https://www.growthefood.org/volunteer-today/
Tim Goldman 515-745-9842 – timothyjgoldman@gmail.com
Mark Marshall 515-998-5381 – wdmmarshall@msn.com
Just because it’s winter in Iowa, doesn’t mean you can’t get your garden going. All it takes is some seeds, seed starting mix, some seed germinating plastic trays, heat mats, florescent lights/fixtures and common jack chain.
From our Master Gardener Mark Marshall: To get your seeds started, fill your germinating trays up with seedling potting mix about 80%. We’ve found that seedling potting mix is expensive. It’s cheaper to make your own. All you need is 4 parts sphagnum peat moss, 2 parts manure compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part perlite. Mix together with warm water and place into your plastic trays. Next, drop your seeds and cover them with moist soil and cover with your germinating tray lids. Place your trays onto heating mats. As soon the the seeds germinate and start growing, remove the covers and turn on the lights and set them a few inches from the soil. As your plants grow, raise your lights and keep the plants from touching the bulbs. Water daily or every other day depending on the soil moisture and spray liquid calcium on the plants regularly. As your plants get bigger and the weather gets warmer, transplant into larger pots.
Seeds: http://www.seedsavers.org/onlinestore/
Seeding & Potting Mix: http://www.menards.com/main/lawn-garden/seeds-bulbs/4-quart-seed-and-potting-mix/p-1487951-c-10125.htm
Make Your Own Seed Starter Mix: 4 parts sphagnum peat moss, 2 parts manure compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part perlite
Plastic Seed Germinating Trays: http://www.farmtek.com/farm
Heat Mats: http://www.sears.com/dirt-genius (Water daily if you’re using these)
Utility Shop Light Fixture: http://www.homedepot.com/Shoplight
Bulbs: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Philips-4-ft-T8-32-Watt-Natural-Light-5000K
Jack Chain: http://www.homedepot.com/Zinc-Plated-Jack-Chain (Make sure you measure and leave yourself enough slack to easily adjust up/down)
Liquid Calcium Spray: http://www.nutri-cal.com/products/nutri-cal-32oz-ready-to-use-bottle