New To Seed Starting

13 years ago

Hi All,

I have a few specific questions regarding seed starting. I have been gardening for five years, but every year, I've been spending $70 on vegetables. I figured for around the same price, I could start my own seeds this year. Anyways, I was planning on getting this light from home depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100180403/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I am going to put this indoors, so I don't know what to hang it from. I don't really want to spend $80 on a shelving system, so does anyone have any good ideas? Also, I was planning on getting these flats from Park Seeds (and also a variety of seeds from here):

http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/96376

I am going to go with the 48 cells. Has anyone bought seeds from Parks?

I also am not sure where to get the soil. Can anyone recommend this?:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=100582409&R=100582409

Those are all of the things I can think of now, I also have seaweed and fish fertilizer, so I think otherwise I have everything. Are there other things I should be getting?

Thanks SO much, and sorry for all of the questions!

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Comments (3)

jane4667
Original Author
13 years ago
One more thing:

I have had lettuce and spinach seeds sealed in a refrigerator for two years, and I have had seaweed and fish emulsion in my garage for two years, should they still be good?
taz6122
13 years ago
That light is made to be installed in the ceiling (as in recessed) and hard wired. Look through the thread I've linked to on this page entitled "Post Your Grow Light Setup". I'd get 2-2 light fixtures for around $20 less.
I'd shop at
http://www.novoselenterprises.com/
for the flats and trays.

Not sure about the lettuce seeds but your fertilizer should still be good if tightly capped. I wouldn't smell it though! lol. Never hurts to try with the old seeds. Give them a germination test and see what kind of rates you get.

Here is a link that might be useful: Post Your Grow Light Setup
jane4667
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the advice! I have already ordered my flats and seeds. I decided that I am going to build a setup like the one"biradarcm" has made. I am going to splurge for a five shelf bookcase and attach shop lights to it. I will be using four flats. Each one is 11 inches wide and 22" long. If I set them up widthwise and use two shelves, do you guys think that one two-bulb shop light will work for each shelf. In other words, will two bulbs cover 11 inches in width?

I also am not sure about my soil. At home depot, they carry Miracle gro organic potting mix. Would it be better to get a high quality mix at a garden store or will that work?