If you enjoyed this video and found it helpful, please "like" and share the video to help increase its reach. Thanks for watching!

What!🤯 The chopstick trick is genius!

Thank you for all the information. I truly enjoy learning from you. Have a blessed day.

I really liked your side-by-side comparison of the seed cells and the peat pots. I do a lot of these kinds of trials every season, especially during germination time. Seeds are relatively cheap and germination occurs quickly so it's easy to compare which method works best. You can test different germination mediums, heat mats, humidity domes - anything that comes to mind. I quite liked your idea of using a chopstick to sow tiny seeds. I've been using the tip of a pencil in the past but I'll give your suggestion a try. One chore that I found slightly tedious was sowing my small seeds to the correct dept (especially those tiny seeds that are the same color as the soil: e.g. lettuce). After sowing the seeds and tamping them down in the seed cells, I sprinkle a layer of fine vermiculite or potting soil to cover the seeds. Then I'll mist the covering layer until damp. I was quite surprised by how quickly your seeds germinated in the peat pellets compared to the seed cells. I did my own comparison many years ago and although I can't remember why, I didn't like using them. I'm thinking I'll try the test again this year, just to satisfy my curiosity. Thanks for the video.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I've found most seeds germinate best when shallow. For things like lettuce, onions, carrots and other very tiny seeds, they can practically be sprinkled on the surface with no covering at all. You can dust them with vermiculite, peat moss or potting mix if you wish just to ensure they have some coverage. I honestly don't even read packages anymore for depths, with the exception of deeper seeds like peas or beets.

Great vid. I always get something new from your videos. I also like that you always seem to give a little more "why" explanation. Thanks!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I dislike telling people how to do something without understanding why. "Teach a man to fish" is my philosophy. If I can't explain why I'm doing something, I shouldn't tell anyone to do it.

The damp chopstick trick is brillant! I bought a baster for watering a while ago at this point, after watching your videos and it’s also much easier than trying to use a watering can or a cup. I don’t start seeds here until next month but I’m so excited for spring. I’m looking forward to seeing some of the garden changes you mentioned and what you’re growing this year. My husband loves peppers and fresh lettuce, so we grow those inside the house over winter.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

There are a lot of little kitchen gadgets that can be repurposed for gardening. I need to start my peppers, too. I’m a bit behind this year. It has been a really cold year, and it has set everything back.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful gardening journey.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! Thank you for watching!

Thank you MG, a very information packed video. Your instructions and explanations are very clear an easy to understand. 👍👍

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you watching!

Always a great video with great information! Thank you MG😊👍

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

Great tutorial. And interesting info about the first leaves ~ did not know their purpose :) I also use a wet chopstick. And bamboo food skewers & used fireplace matches work well too. You can also start seeds in clear plastic grocery double-egg tray containers. To create a mini greenhouse. (Start by punching/melting 1-2 small drainage/watering holes in the bottom of each egg cup (cell) with a hot nail. Then nest it inside the other egg cup tray, separated from the packaging with scissors. This way you can bottom water the seedlings if you like. Close the lid & set in a sunny place. I have Early Treat & Super Sweet 100 cherry tomatoes sprouting now, 3 days after sowing. But really heed the advice here & watch the seedlings well. If they become too leggy they're usually too fragile to survive or thrive, true.)

I winter sow in milk jugs outside, and use grow lights and heat pad inside as well.

Wow! I just found your page today (thanks algorithm lol). I have watched several of your fig videos and I had no idea it was so intense. As a millennial myself, it's awesome to see men gardening and sharing their experience! I wish I had found you years ago, but I'm going to power through your videos, I loved the advice on finding the discounted fertilizer as well. I am excited to see what your entire crop production looks like this summer. I also love seeing Dale 😍 j

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying the videos. I just want to add that while it may seem intense up front, it is actually pretty easy. Gardening is like changing your oil or baking a cake. Your first time, it seems like an overwhelming new thing you have to learn, but after you figure out the basics, it all falls into place. The thing about gardening is that, generally speaking, a fruit is a fruit is a fruit. There isn’t much difference between fertilizing a tomato, pepper, cucumber, apple tree, avocado tree, fig tree or citrus tree. They all have the same requirements to make fruit, and I fertilize all of them virtually identically. Same thing goes with leafy greens. Leafy greens require a different nutrient balance than fruits, because it takes high nitrogen to grow more leaves (whereas fruiting requires lower nitrogen, higher P and K). But at the end of the day, a leaf is a leaf is a leaf. Whether you’re growing lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, chard or kale, they’re all pretty much identical, too! Basically, there are only 3 plants: a leaf, a fruit/flower, and a root. Once you learn how to deal with all 3 types, you can grow anything!

I noticed the one seedling to come up in the corner of your tray was siletz! Go little siletz! Thanks to your advice I'm excited to try this variety in my garden this year! Good luck seedlings!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Siletz is my FAVORITE early tomato. It's a rockstar early in the year. The flavor and production is off the charts. It won't do well in the heat, but as an early tomato, it's awesome.

The chopstick tip is excellent idea, I will be using this method for all my seed planting. Planted tomato seeds (showing first leaves). Wish I had the chopstick method lol! it was very fiddley trying to separate the individual seeds to plant, but I got there in the end.🍅

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

This is something I randomly did many years ago…maybe 8 years ago or longer 🤔 It just seemed easier, and I’ve been doing it ever since. It seemed unfair not to share 😂

@annakramar5088

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener you are so right..Caring is sharing.😁

I always learn something new from you...thanks!👍

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I’m glad to hear that! I appreciate you watching.

Great video on how to sow seeds. Thanks for sharing and take care 🙂

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching!

Already getting excited for Spring!💗 (in very cold Indiana)

@TheMillennialGardener

Жыл бұрын

Me too!!

thank you for the tip

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

Sounds great.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

Great video and well presented as usual

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

thank you brother for your great teaching I already subscribed to your channel very interesting

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for subscribing! I appreciate it.

Thanks for all the info

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome!

Amazing tips ❤

@TheMillennialGardener

7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

Wow, Chopsticks! What a fantastic tip.👍 I fought windy conditions and arthritic hands trying to grab those tiny tomato and other seeds just a day ago. I knew there had to be a better way. Also, love the tomato baster tip.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I think you'll like those little kitchen tools. They really save me a lot of time. A lot of kitchen tools can be repurposed for gardening, I find!

@elisagehrke4102

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener the Chopsticks worked great! Thanks for sharing.

starting mine this weekend

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome!

Starting seeds is the best time of the year!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I think transplanting is my favorite time overall since that means it's officially Spring, but this is certainly an uplifting time of the winter!

Great video!! I’ll definitely take these tips into consideration! I’m a young gardener I’m only 15! And my favorite thing to do is growing my own food! And I document my journey through my channel Ultimate Gardening and showcase the knowledge I know! Your An Amazing Gardener Keep Up The Great Work! Happy gardening!💚✨🌿 Kindest Regards - Emmanuel Arce / Ultimate Gardener

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I'm really happy to hear you're actively gardening at your age. Too many young people don't garden these days. This needs to change! I'm glad to hear you're helping to spread the message! Thank you for watching.

@TheUltimateGardener

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener 😊

Chopstick trick is the bomb!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

It is helpful! I may turn that into a 2 minute tip.

Suggestion is for you to take only six packs off tray and put in new tray for lighting, leaving on heat mat cells not germinated yet.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

There is no need. By the time the morning rolled around, more were up. Then, the tray goes outside during the day, and more come up. Once the first few start germinating, it is like the floodgates open. As you can see by the final product, all the seedlings were roughly at the exact same stage. Keeping them on heat longer isn’t really of much benefit. If it were, you’d see seedlings with significant variation of progress, but that isn’t the case.

subscribing simply for the chopstick trick! that's amazing for those of us with sausage fingers! Thanks much!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I'm glad it was helpful! Thanks for subscribing!

Good video. My plastic seed starting trays and cells are cracking after two years. I want to find something that will last or not plastic. I hate throwing away plastic and gardening unfortunately involves so much plastic it seems. I think next spring I will try the peat pods.

Great video! How long, each day, should the heat pad run for?

That's some good tips MG. I am more lazy and do a set it and forget it approach. I use 72 cell tray, add moistened potting mix, then fill the bottom tray with a 1/4 inch of water. Add seeds then let sit in partial shade or full sun for 2 weeks. If in full sun, I might replenish the 1/4 inch of water every few days, but otherwise the initial water is enough to last the two weeks. To me, leggy seedlings are fine because I actually prefer them to grow taller before I transplant into my hydroponic setup. Appreciate the video my friend

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Onions can probably be a little leggy since they're really just a grass. If your tomato or pepper plants get leggy, they're shot. These onions are about ready for transplant, now. We're getting a really bad, possibly record low freeze on Saturday night. After that nightmare is over, I may plant these on Sunday.

@charlesdang2557

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener hope it all works out. Keep it up, man. You're putting out great info

Getting read to start my seeds. So you keep the plants in the seed trays until you transplant to the outdoor garden, right? Also, what temperatre should the heat mats be set to, and how long each day should they operate?

Does the 72 seed germination cell tray come with the potting mixture already in place? If not, what do you use to fill them? I “assume” the peat pots fill with peat when they have hydrated… 😀😉

I've been using a floating seed starting kit that has worked pretty well. I planted two seeds per plug and got almost 100% germination. This year I'm getting the same germination rate but planting only one seed. When I heard you mention that once the seedlings came up that the heat map was no longer needed, so I immediately unplugged the mat. The second tray has a few seedlings coming up the majority haven't. Do you think that the humidity dome can be removed without negatively affecting the seeds that haven't germinated yet? Thanks for another great practical gardening video!

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

What the humidity dome does is help maintain moisture levels so you don't have to water as much. Seeds germinate better in even moisture, and little peat pods or little seed start cells can go from wet to dry pretty quickly. If you don't mind checking on your seedlings frequently to maintain moisture levels, you don't really need it. It's just there to make your life easier so you don't have to check the trays as often. You can remove the humidity dome when you start seeing significant germination. Once around half of the plants come up, you can get rid of it and actively manage the remaining cells since once half are up, the others won't be too far behind.

@archstanton9703

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener I appreciate the information. I’m going to wait until I get 50% germination of the seedlings before removing the lid and then check on the tray more frequently for water. Cheers!

@eddiemcdonald4720

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener very helpful answer. I did the same a couple months ago as guesswork seed starting and got the same results

Your seedlings in a later video are so full and not leggy. What do you use for lights? Just came across this video and Still using heat mat. We use a full spectrum light. Give Dale lots of hugs from his fan in Zone 6b.

Do you have a specific grow light setup you like?

Awesome video!! Thank you Question... Do you have a preference for testing seeds prior to adding soil? The paper towel in a ziplock method? I have some seeds I'm not so sure about Thanks in advance

@TheMillennialGardener

Жыл бұрын

No. I simply plant them and use a seedling heat mat. Doing so, I tend to get close to 100% germination even on 3 year old seed that's stored properly.

No i bought a Calamondin bush just a few says ago. It has set fruit already. I need tips though.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Oh. Well, you’re in luck, because they’re very easy. They stay small, so they grow well in containers. All you really need to do is fertilize them every month with soluble fertilizer, check them somewhat regularly for leaf miner and rust mites, don’t expose them to temps below 28 until they’re established (and 20-22ish when mature), and give them 8 hours of sun a day. I suggest watching my citrus fertilizing how-to here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/p5yOmMmsnKXVhto.html

Do you have an equivalent video like this for peppers?

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Pepper seeds are started exactly the same as tomato seeds. You don't have to make a single change. The only difference is pepper seeds usually take around 3-4 days longer to germinate, particularly hot peppers. The hotter the pepper, the longer they take to germinate. Pepper seeds should be started about 6 weeks before transplanting. Mine are on the heat mat now. For a guide on growing peppers, see here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/foh1xNxpopm5Xbg.html

What do you do with the extra seedlings - pinch off or transplant?

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

It depends. I always make sure to grow an extra of every variety in case we have a major problem, like a late freeze or cutworm damage, so I usually save one extra of each. After that, I'll cut or pinch off the remainders.

you have any tips for Calamondin orange??

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Do you mean growing from seed? I would strongly advise against that, since they’ll take 7-10 years to fruit, and if cross-pollinated, they won’t grow true to type. I would only grow a grafted calamondin, or one grown from a rooted cutting.

Do you water only the bottom tray once your seedlings germinate? Or do you occasionally spray/water the tops?

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

It depends. I use all the methods I outline here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mqesrY-bdtzUf5s.html

Can I just leave the seedlings 🌱 under the grow light, since I'm no home in the morning to put them out in the sun??

I have a question about a fig cutting I got in the mail. It already has a leaf starting on the top, but no roots. It's a 3 Bud cutting. Should I leave two buds above ground, or will the top bud leaf out again if that leaf dies? Also, I'm curious if you breed figs can you control if it is a Smyrna or common fig? I'm still waiting on my fig cuttings that I followed your guidance on in the last fig starting video and I'm wondering how yours did still? It's been 3 weeks and I don't see Roots or buds Awakening except a bud on 1. I'm hoping they're okay and just a little slow. Thanks

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I would bury 2 nodes and leave 1 exposed. What you can do is wrap the top bud in Parafilm and then leave it pretty far out of the sunlight. That should delay the bud from fully opening and buy you some time.

Do you thin off the weaker seedling or let both go all the way to transplant? What if you seeded three and all three germinated? Are there pros and cons to having two plants together vs one plant alone?

@TheMillennialGardener

Жыл бұрын

Alliums are very tough. If you have 2-3 onions germinate in a single cell, you can wait until they're 6-8 week old and sturdy, then gently pull them apart and plant them all. I've ripped apart clusters of onions at this stage, and I've never had one die in transplant. They can take being pulled apart. If you don't want to go through the work, you can also clip any excess that germinate with a pair of scissors. It's your choice.

@conleyguitar

Жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener thanks for the reply! What about the peppers? Do you pull them apart as well?

what is next step ? my seeds become like this size now.. what shall i do ?

What varieties did u do? I did some of the Dwarf tomato project varieties. I have 24 varieties of tomatoes going

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I have somewhere in the 20’s. They’re all listed on the tags, so if you freeze frame in the beginning, you can see them all. Literally too many to list. I also detail them all here: kzread.info/dash/bejne/c2mIrbOeYrTJg9o.html

@beverlyboyce1041

2 жыл бұрын

Thanks I missed that video

My first set of leaves on my tomatoes are turning under. Any idea why that would happen? They also aren't growing very big.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

What do you mean by turning under? Tomatoes don’t grow quickly until the temps get well into the 70’s, so if you’re growing indoors at room temps or bringing them outdoors, they’ll be slow.

Idk how people keep tomatoes under lignts that long last year was my first year and they out grown my shelves before 7 weeks. I'm going to try 5 weeks this year.

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

I don't use grow lights. I leave them outside during the day. I greatly prefer growing them under the real sun. There is no acclimation period necessary, they grow stockier because they are accustomed to the wind, and the foliage is often thicker because they are fully hardened to the UV index of the sun. Since temps are cooler outdoors, they grow more slowly, but you get a better plant.

@brianramsey3824

2 жыл бұрын

@@TheMillennialGardener that would be awesome I just have this pesky thing called a 8-4:30 job and also well living in zone 6B

He's using Japanese style chopsticks vs Korean or Chinese styled. Details matter 😀

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

See, I didn’t even know there was a difference. I just liked the style 😆

Um. It’s been 2 weeks and none of my jalapeño, bell pepper or tomato seeds have sprouted. I wonder what I did wrong

@TheMillennialGardener

2 жыл бұрын

Are you applying bottom heat? Pepper seeds can take a long time to germinate without bottom heat. Other potential problems are: 1. Mix too wet. The seeds will rot. 2. Mix too dry. They won't germinate in totally dry mix. 3. Old seed.