Photo by jean froidevaux

One of the biggest expenses in seed starting are the supplies you need to get started.  If you try to cut expenses in the wrong area, you could have disastrous results.  So here are some frugal seed starting tips to get your green growing in the right direction.

• Don’t skimp on the quality of soil you use to start your seeds.  Choose a sterile seed starter mix from your local garden center.  These mixes are usually a combination of vermiculite and peat moss, and provide good drainage as well as proper moisture retention.  If you choose to try to go cheap on this supply, you may just be wasting your time and efforts as your results may not be fruitful.

• Do choose a place that provides lots of light for your seedlings to grow.  If you have a south-facing window, this works well.  However, using artificial lighting will be even better.  Hang your grow lights over the shelf or table that you will use to grow your seedlings.  This doesn’t need to be expensive.  You can use a shop light from the hardware store.  Special growing bulbs are available, but are not necessary.

• Containers are where you can save the most money.  Although the special seed trays and peat containers are nice, they can be expensive.  So feel free to use something else, such as styrofoam or paper cups for individual plants. We like to use the paper bathroom cups.  If you choose to use the 3 oz cups, understand that these are great for starting your seeds, but you might need to transplant up to a larger container as they grow.  The 5 oz kitchen cups are perhaps a little nicer, allowing for adequate root development and you probably won’t have to transplant before putting them outside.  You will want to be sure to place a drainhole in the bottom of the cup so that the roots don’t drown and rot.

If you don’t want to start your seeds in separate containers at the beginning, you can use a plastic ice cream bucket.  You will need to cut drainage holes in the bottom of the bucket.  Fill the bucket about 1/3 full of seed starting mix and plant the seeds.  Water and then snap the lid of the bucket in place.  Place the bucket in a warm spot that is out of direct sunlight.  If condensation forms, then vent the bucket.  You will have seedlings ready to transplant in about 10 days.

One of our favorite ways to start seeds is to plant them in eggshells.  To do this, you will want to carefully crack the eggs in half next time you use them.  Rinse out the egg residue, and poke a drainage hole in the bottom of each half of the shell.  Fill the shells with seed starting mix and then plant your seeds.  When the seedlings are ready to be transplanted, gently crush the eggshell with your fingers and plant them, eggshell and all.  The shell will actually improve your soil as is decomposes.

What are some frugal seed starting tips that you have found for your garden?

When choosing seeds for the garden, it is important to remember that what you purchase is what you will get.  If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is and you should look elsewhere for your seeds.  So how do you know if what you are purchasing is truly what you want?  That is a great question and here are some tips to help you know how to choose the best seeds.

• Remember to invest in quality, rather than quantity.  Seeds of a higher quality will give you the best results.  Often cheap seeds are available in greater quantities.  But remember that they are just that–cheap seeds.  Higher quality seeds may cost more initially, but will give you more for your investment.

• Only purchase seeds that have been packaged for the current growing season.  If you are looking at seeds that were packaged for a previous growing season, have they been tested within the past 6 months?  If this information is not readily available on the seed packet, then do not buy it.  Look for another brand of seed that does list this information instead.

• Choose seeds that match your needs.  Most seed packages include information on starting dates, germination times and growing conditions.  Know what your needs are.  If you live in place that has a colder climate, understand that you will not be able to effectively grow a plant that requires tropical conditions.

• Check for the germination percentage.  The higher the percentage number, the more likely that the seeds will sprout and grow.  Choose seeds that provide this information to you.  Keep in mind that some seeds are more difficult to start than others.  But a higher germination percentage will equal greater success.

Now that you know what to look for when purchasing your seeds, what are you planning to grow in your garden this year?  We would love to hear what you are interested in growing.

Photo by Brandon Blinkenberg

This is a guest post by Sarah Skinner.

I love properties with gardens that have winding stone paths, beautiful raised flower beds, or stony steps. These features seem to add so much depth and character to the garden. They are details in landscaping that we call paving and these details bring extra warmth to anyone’s outdoor space.

Hard surfaces are key in landscape design. Paving is one type of hardscaping- any element of landscaping besides the plants- that helps create tone and flow for a property. There are several different types of paving which can be used in landscaping.

• Bricks- available in many colors
• Stones- come in varying colors and sizes
• Concrete- which can come in setts or slab form
• Railroad ties- can be free!
• Wooden blocks- great for steps and garden borders

You can use these paving elements to create different design features in your garden. Some of these include:

• Patios
• Walls
• Steps
• Paths
• Raised beds
• Decks

Paving can easily be the most expensive design element of your landscaping. It’s important to get it right the first time. You can lay down the foundation for your paving ahead of time and live with it for a while to determine if you like the way it flows and its size, then go ahead and finish the paving.

You can easily incorporate your design styles into your paving ventures for your garden. You can use railroad ties and wooden blocks for a laid back look, bricks and stones for a more traditional look, and really any combination for your own eclectic mood. With paving, your imagination really is the limit.

Of course plants look wonderful paired with whatever paving you choose. Pots full of flowers look great placed strategically around a paved surface. Lining the paved walkway with flowers makes the pavement pop and really stand out. Plants with dark leaves and distinctive shapes and colors work best, but you’ll need to water them frequently. Paving can make the plants around it extra hot.

Whatever paving design you choose, it is sure to highlight your property. Paving will reflect your style and make your gardening even more inviting.

Enjoy this inspiration!

chemical

SwissTgallery presents Help! I need to get rid of these moths! | Hard to Find Blog posted at Get rid Of Moths

flowers

R.Pettinger presents 10 Tips for Taking Flower Photos posted at The Compost Heap, saying, “Simple tips to get better flower photos”

gardening

Wendy Piersall presents Garden Craft: Plant Markers Free Pattern Download posted at Craft Jr., saying, “This is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever done!”

Renee Benzaim presents How to Extend YOUR Compost Making Season posted at Compost Tumblers & Compost Making, saying, “A guide on how to extend your compost making during the colder months”

lawn care

HtF presents How to Fix a Deer-Attracting Lawn or Garden posted at How To Fix.

Sarah presents Winterizing Your Lawn for 2010 | Spring Lawn Care – Lawn Care Tips posted at Lawn Care Tips, saying, “It is a good idea to make sure your lawn is ready for the winter.”

organic gardening

Hortoris presents Gardeners Tips posted at The Compost Heap, saying, ” Herbs are great organic plants to grow. They do not need fertilizer and many prefer poor soil conditions.”

Chris Mathew presents How To Grow Mushrooms posted at How To Grow Mushrooms, saying, “Learn how to grow mushrooms in an organic environment! Easy to grow, delicious to eat!”

Michael Hogg presents Simple Organic Gardening Is Old Hat posted at Green Lifestyle Ideas.

Jess Lundie presents How To Build A Lasagna Garden For Free – Part 2 posted at Openly Balanced, saying, “Thank you for your consideration!”

trees

June Tree presents Curb Appeal: One Of My Best Investments Yet Or How I Turned $80 Into $5,000 With Minimal Risk posted at The Digerati Life.

vegetables

r0dman presents Starting a Veggie Patch | r0dman.com posted at r0dman.com, saying, “I should be eating a lot more fruit and vegetables…I came to the conclusion that starting my own veggie patch was the go.”

Vikki Lawrence presents Winter Squash Cross-Pollination and Variety List posted at Vikki’s Verandah, saying, “So many people want to plant a garden and harvest enough food to eat year-round. This squash-variety list will help people choose winter squash to avoid cross-pollination to gardeners can produce non-hybrid seeds.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of a gardening carnival using our carnival submission form. Our next edition of a gardening carnival will be available on February 24, 2010.

Technorati tags: a gardening carnival, blog carnival.