Now I need trays. I've built the rig to be able to sit 4 1020 trays under the lights. I'm just not sure the best place to get those trays. I've checked online and the shipping prices are outlandish (generally doubling the order price).

Also, many places sell clear plastic domes to cover the trays. How helpful are these?

what kind of germination rates are to be expected? I know that varies dramatically from species to species. But often online you see packets of 20 seeds (sometimes even fewer!) and I wonder what the probability of getting more than 2 or 3 viable plants out of that.

FINALLY, does anyone have any recommendations as to what plants I start with. I'll undoubtedly kill some plants initially. So I'm curious what's particularly hardy or good to start with.

THANKS

Best of Luck,
Gemfire

I buy my trays and flats from Novosel (www.novoselenterprises.com). They have a large selection and I've never had a problem with shipping. You may want to place a larger order (ie. enough for a couple seasons) to make the shipping charges more economical. Once you start growing your seeds under lights you'll get hooked be doing it for many years.

I don't use the comercial clear plastic domes to keep the soil moist before germintation. Instead I plant the seeds and then cover the tray with a piece of cellophane (saran wrap, etc.). I then take a razor blade and make a couple 1.5 inch slits above each seed cell. This allows some air to get in while keeping the soil moist. The other benefit of using the cellophone is that it can be cut away in sections to allow faster germinating seeds the proper environment.

I have very good germination rates. Certain seeds are more difficult than others but my problem is more on the side of thinning out too many seedlings in the individual cells. Be sure to keep the light source approx. 1.5 inches away from the plants.

If you want to reduce cost you may want to ask a friend to split some of the initial costs of materials/seeds with you. You will have more than enough plants to share. And the following season you can save seeds to reduce your cost even more.

The link shows the plants that I grew from seed for my rooftop deck in Chicago. I grew everything from a four shelf light system (16 seed flats) and had plenty of plants left over to share with friends. Good luck planting this season!

Take care, Pat

I missed your last question regarding easy starter plants. An easy vine would Morning Glory or Cypress Vine. They sprout and grow very quickly. Basil (Genovese) is also easy to grow. Petunias need a good deal of light and start very small but ultimately perform great. Castor Oil Bean is a large plant (> 6 feet tall) that grows quickly but keep in mind that the seeds are poisonous. Asclepias is a strong tall plant that attracts butterflies.

Be sure to keep in mind the amount light that you'll have and whether you want to plant annuals or perenials. This forum is a great place to research and pick the brains of all the other gardeners.

You'll make mistakes and learn more each season. Here's my motto with growing from seed, "Plants live and plants die...don't get too emotionally attached to your plants."

Take acre, Pat