Sustainable Farm Journal

Several trays of the seeds I started last Tuesday have sprouted, just a week later. Seeds that have sprouted so far are: tomatoes artichokes Swiss chard kale brussels sprouts cauliflower marigolds calendula Tulsi basil Temperatures in the greenhouse have been maintained at 65+. Under one side of the wire bench that holds the tomato trays, I've placed a small electric room heater so that warm air envelopes them.

Today, I will complete my goal of starting several varieties of tomatoes, egg plants, peppers and other warm season crops indoors, in starting trays, for transplanting in the spring. This year, I am mixing only coconut coir and perlite as a seed starting mix. The mix consists of equal parts of both. I am not adding vermiculite to the mis this years because it doesn't seem to add any benefits to the mix. A simple Mr. Heater Big Buddy propane heater is keeping the 144 s.f. greenhouse in the 50 on medium and in the 60s on high, even on the coldest nights when temps dip into the 20s. I expect the seeds to sprout in a week or two, then grow for two months before being set out into raised beds by late March or early April.