'Green House'

Have had a couple people interested in how I start plants so here is a little peak. (keep in mind that I don't have years and years of experience! Just trial and error and some research! This is what works for me:) )

These are the little 'pellets' that you can get one anywhere they sell gardening supplies. You can buy them separate or in a tray. First time starting seeds buy them in the black tray with the clear lid then reuse the tray each year just buy replacement pellets or use ones leftover from the previous year. The tray will come with directions on how to expand your pellets. After expanding the pellets 'rough up' the peat in the pellets and plant seeds according to package directions. For artichokes it was 1/4 inch deep. Place the plastic lid on top and put in warm area.

After the first leaves have emerged that is the best time to put them under a grow light. I waited a little bit to long to get out my grow light and you can see the stems are quite long and thin. some are having a time standing up straight!

Notice in the above photo the first 'true' leaves starting to form between the first leaves. This is a important time. After they have completely formed is the time when you can 'pot up' if you need to and start fertilizing. Artichokes need to be in 3-4 inch peat pots so will be potting up before long!

Anyone with information on growing artichokes is welcome to give me some advice! :) this is my first year 'doing it right'. Last year I started some with the rest of my seeds. They grew like crazy then seemed to stall out. My Farmer decided that they needed some phosphorous so out to the tank he went. Well we just put a tiny tiny bit on but they died that afternoon!!! So no artichokes last year. Lesson learned: Spend the extra and get fertilizer tailored for indoors!

This is my 'stone age' grow light. Nothing fancy and the one light does not always stay on but it works!


NOTE: these plants started here are Artichokes. The research I have done says to start them in Late January, Early February so that is why I have plants this far along when the weather is still getting below zero! Other plants need not be started till later. Most seed packets can tell you when to start seeds indoors for best results.