need help with seedling questions

landarch 3/15/2012, 11:02 pm

If the days are getting longer and warmer, can I just set my trays of germinating seeds outside in filtered shade during the day instead of using a grow light indoors? I have started zinnias, marigolds, basil, parsley, spearmint, and lettuce. I imagine someof these could have been direct seeded...I just thought starting indoors may be a way to beat heavy spring rains. Any thoughts? I am kinda using these as a test before I try starting tomatoes and peppers from seed indoors. If thinking about doing tomatoes and peppers, do I need a grow light? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Windsor.Parker 3/16/2012, 6:50 am

landarch,
Germinating/sprouting seed need warmth and a stable environment to get going. See ANSFG charts starting on pg 252. Your seedlings might be okay if they have true leaves.
Seedlings grow and develop more quickly indoors and are much stronger under appropriate lighting.
That being said, you're in a somewhat warmer and milder climatic zone than Chicago.
I wouldn't try it here!
And yes, I'm using grow lights.

**walshevak** 3/16/2012, 9:09 am

I can do it here in zone 8. Started inside and potted up at a few true leaves. I put them under the open weave of my outdoor table and brought them in each night last year. But I only had a few and it was not a chore.

Kay

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