Tomatoville® Gardening Forums


Notices

Member discussion regarding the methods, varieties and merits of growing tomatoes.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old October 28, 2017   #136
akgardengirl
Tomatovillian™
 
akgardengirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,409
Default

I've gone a little crazy on the MV site for micro greens. Does anyone store the seeds in the fridge to keep fresh? I see the smaller better deals for me are the 4 oz size. The peas I found are called dwarf sugar grey. Are these the same as the dwarf grey? Also, what would be the better to grow, chives or onions?
akgardengirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 28, 2017   #137
PhilaGardener
Tomatovillian™
 
PhilaGardener's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Near Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 1,940
Default

Most seeds will last the longest if stored dry in the freezer. When you take them out, let them warm up completely before opening the container/plastic bag so no condensation forms from moisture in the air.

(True for spices and herbs too!)
PhilaGardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 29, 2017   #138
oakley
Tomatovillian™
 
oakley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilaGardener View Post
Most seeds will last the longest if stored dry in the freezer. When you take them out, let them warm up completely before opening the container/plastic bag so no condensation forms from moisture in the air.

(True for spices and herbs too!)
^that is so important. I have tried to explain that to blank stares
so many times.

One way to avoid the waiting is to bag up small clear bags of the
exact amount for your size tray...while you are at it anyway...
then you have pre-measured packets for a quick seeding. The
bulk package is in the freezer for much later on.

Same with spices. My bulk seed is kept in the freezer and I keep
smaller jars upstairs....refill when needed.
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 29, 2017   #139
oakley
Tomatovillian™
 
oakley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by akgardengirl View Post
I've gone a little crazy on the MV site for micro greens. Does anyone store the seeds in the fridge to keep fresh? I see the smaller better deals for me are the 4 oz size. The peas I found are called dwarf sugar grey. Are these the same as the dwarf grey? Also, what would be the better to grow, chives or onions?
I usually, but not always, look for the most food value. I like leeks
for the flavor so did not consider a cost comparison, but looking
at price per pound for most seed, like peas and buckwheat,
especially radish, I will choose for cost. A more rare seed may be
4-5 times $ over a basic more available radish.

Amaranth is pretty but I did not care for the slow growing or the
flavor. (why I purchased some sample packs initially)

I adore buckwheat for its bulk, large size, fast growing and great crunch
and flavor. Black oil sunflower I like much better now. Could be the
quality of the seed.

I would think dwarf grey is the same as mine but who knows. That is a
'good looking' site but frustrating to navigate for comparisons.
Johnny's is cheaper for some seed, but mv has free shipping over 35
I think. (and a 10% off code right now, before Halloween)

Testing can be frustrating as some seeds do best in sterile soil over
other methods like coir or mats. A definite learning curve.

I recommend starting 5x5 of each seed and taking notes, dates, etc.
I lost a full 10x10 tray a couple months ago and never did figure out
the trouble.
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 29, 2017   #140
akgardengirl
Tomatovillian™
 
akgardengirl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Anchorage, AK zone 3/4
Posts: 1,409
Default

Thanks for the advice. Yes, the MV site is harder to navigate. I had the whole $60 order sent to WA state since they wanted almost $20 for shipping to AK. We find that is the case on most "free" shipping, doesn't matter what the total is. I won't be trying these seeds until after Thanksgiving now but will use some sprouting seeds in the trays to experiment.
akgardengirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 3, 2017   #141
Barb_FL
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
Default

I read through this thread and want to proceed.

Ordered a kit and a few other things at the MVSeed site last weekend. Everything was in stock and said usually shipped in 24 hours.

No shipping message yet; checked order online and it still says 'getting ready'.

Can anyone recommend another site that ships really fast?

I am a newbie with microgreens but good at growing lettuce.
I want to master this while our weather is good.
Barb_FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 3, 2017   #142
oakley
Tomatovillian™
 
oakley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
Default

Did they have a recent sale? That gets shoppers in a frenzy and orders
back up. I can't find my order file from last season...filed no doubt where
it should be but our power is out and I can't see the shelf. (fire sirens going off)

No excuse really for a seller but if they are back ordered or out-of-stock I like an e-mail or
some contact....and not a week later.
It is against my personal policy and refrain from bad reviews usually as some
orders get messed up randomly but just like tomatoes and veg, I have just a
handful I order from.
Johnny's. 15 yrs and never a problem. Maybe 20yrs. Easy to navigate, lots of
information. Prices up-front. Out-of-stock listed. Order confirmation immediately.

Smaller mom-n-pops should get credit for trying to keep things afloat. And some
patience is required. It is hard to compete with a slick efficient operation like
Johnny's so I do support the smaller seed sellers. I like Johnny's sale bin. Usually
over-stock rather than out-of-stock.

Last Winter/Spring I ordered from MV, SeedsNow, and SproutPeople. I can't
remember details as I tend to block those out-of-brain. But for some reason I
said never again and back to Johnny's. And my other favorite, MountainRoseHerb,
now sells sprout seed. I get all my bulk whole seed spices from them.

Power back on so I can send this.
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #143
Barb_FL
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
Default

Thanks for the reply. They are having 10% off until 11/7 and here I was thinking that I would get my order and maybe order again. My order was $62 after discount so qualified for free shipping.

I will check out Johnny's tomorrow. I bought from them before and they were fast.

In the meantime, tonight I bought the Mild Mix from Amazon so will get it Sunday. It is from the same source that MV uses.

AKGardengirl - Has your order been shipped yet?
Barb_FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #144
NewWestGardener
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 564
Default

A bit off topic but wanted to share this. I grew some Black Oil sunflower this year as an experiment using bird seed from Walmart. They were planted late but still matured quickly. They are easy to grow and do not take much space. So if you like sunflower sprouts, grow your own seeds is pretty easy.
NewWestGardener is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #145
oakley
Tomatovillian™
 
oakley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
Default

Yeah, well, maybe. That is a personal choice to use feed seed.
You could save some bucks feeding a hungry family barnyard
animal feed in the 40lb sacks. Bring it to a boil, then long simmer.
Heat will kill all bad stuff.

Seed grown soil to table in 7-10 days eaten raw/fresh I won't do.
Not bagged sacks in heaps in filthy environments. Even food
grade often goes un-regulated.

The seed blend I made some complaints about being so filthy,
and only two of the five seeds in the blend even germinated...
end of the barrel filthy. E-mail back-"all seed should be washed
and rinsed a few times daily". Then when I responded that the
dirty was only one flaw...the seeds are not fresh. Response,
I was sent '101 how to grow micro greens' from their website.

No offer for fresh seed, snippy, and the problem was on my end.

I just used up the last of it and never again.

Bird seed is on the top list of possible pantry pest problems if it
is stored anywhere indoors or garage. Freezing is one way to
kill off some of it but I don't have freezer space. I do freeze most
whole seed at least 3-4 weeks if I buy some random ones from
international markets. I had a horrid pest problem from dried
peppers a few yrs ago. Live mealy worms and webs in a sealed
package. Now stored in the freezer.

I don't grow 'sprouts'. Either sprouted seed, where just the seed
grain shows a tiny tail for breads and crackers, or full on grown
micro greens as edible plants/salad.

Sprouts grown on a commercial scale have many issues with contamination
growing in room temp climates, dirty water, then packaged for shipment
in less than cold temps where a microbial swamp multiplies quickly.
Most markets just won't take the chance anymore. Too many re-calls.
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #146
Barb_FL
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
Default

Good news - Even though I had no update that the package was shipped and the site said not fulfilled, it showed up today. Everything was there. The seed packages looked nice. I have nothing to compare for the felt pads, but they are much softer than the felt from RootPouches.

The 10*20 trays were just 1 step above the same at GreenHouse Megastore. Probably a few uses and then I can see them splitting.

I bought a 5 pack of 10*10 and they didn't have the divots that the 10*20 had. The smaller ones at GHM are much studier. Hopefully I will be successful with this and the FL climate cooperates for more than a few months.

I started a small test today with the 10*10 trays using the Mild Mix.

I also started an even smaller test of the Mild Mix with a 6 pack of cells using promix. Did a couple of cells of lettuce. The 6 pack of cells is sitting in a 10*10 tray.

Both sets are covered with the another 10*10 tray.

It is very foreign for me to germinate seeds in the dark.

Thanks for all the info.
Barb_FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #147
oakley
Tomatovillian™
 
oakley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: NewYork 5a
Posts: 2,303
Default

Good news!
I just started a 10.10 stack this morning. Did a photo play-by-play.
I like the 10x10's the best as it is easy to rotate and move to the sink
if I need to.
For me, Winter growing under lights, I like to bottom water and keep
a fan going. Right now it is still a bit summer damp downstairs. Even with
a de-humidifier going. Humidity might be your only issue.

I find the smaller seeds, salads, basil, broccoli, etc., need a much shorter
time covered. 24hrs-ish and check for sprouting.

Peas, sunflower, larger seeds it is best to keep a weight on them to the
point they grow and move the weighted tray up a bit.

The only total darkness I know of is corn. And picked pale, tender and young.

A bit tricky to keep them damp, moist, without wet feet soggy.

I will move my stack to a heat mat tomorrow. But that is my cooler
climate downstairs. And dries them out after a bath.
oakley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #148
KarenO
Tomatovillian™
 
KarenO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 5,918
Default

Grocery stores are a good place to buy seeds for sprouting . Peas, wheat etc.
No fancy equipment or lights are required for growing shoots
An example :
https://www.facebook.com/16559439358...43265705814624.

click through the photos in sequence for a very simple way to grow pea shoots for home use. works for wheat grass, sunflower shoots, etc. also.
KarenO

Last edited by KarenO; November 4, 2017 at 05:31 PM.
KarenO is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 4, 2017   #149
Barb_FL
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by oakley View Post
Good news!
I just started a 10.10 stack this morning. Did a photo play-by-play.
I like the 10x10's the best as it is easy to rotate and move to the sink
if I need to.
For me, Winter growing under lights, I like to bottom water and keep
a fan going. Right now it is still a bit summer damp downstairs. Even with
a de-humidifier going. Humidity might be your only issue.

I find the smaller seeds, salads, basil, broccoli, etc., need a much shorter
time covered. 24hrs-ish and check for sprouting.

Peas, sunflower, larger seeds it is best to keep a weight on them to the
point they grow and move the weighted tray up a bit.

The only total darkness I know of is corn. And picked pale, tender and young.

A bit tricky to keep them damp, moist, without wet feet soggy.

I will move my stack to a heat mat tomorrow. But that is my cooler
climate downstairs. And dries them out after a bath.
I put a couple of bamboo sticks under the mat; but it still looked really wet. Maybe I should elevate it even more.


No problem with humidity inside the house; A/C runs all the time; even when we don't need it just to keep the humidity at bay. I don't have lights; I do everything outside.

Do you use the mats or Potting Mix/Coir? If you use the mats, what kind?
Barb_FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old November 5, 2017   #150
Barb_FL
Tomatovillian™
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Indialantic, Florida
Posts: 1,999
Default

15 hour update - About 1/2 of the seeds germinated. Since I thought it was too wet yesterday, I didn't spray the seeds other than the first time. This AM I took a lot of the water out by tipping the pan.

Also checked the status of my order on their site and it still says unfilled.
Barb_FL is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:12 AM.


★ Tomatoville® is a registered trademark of Commerce Holdings, LLC ★ All Content ©2022 Commerce Holdings, LLC ★