Equipment and Supplies

[mnjrutherford]

SUGGESTION: Alan, how about an Equipment and Supplies section?

I want to get some multi-cell packs for starting seeds. My experiments with paper pots of various sorts have not really panned out. I'd like to look into getting some cell packs. Martin has mentioned some with, what, 177? cells? I have hundreds of 3 gal nursery containers for our little trees, but I need a way to start plugs for other stuff like onions, cabbages, etc.

I'd be willing to go in on an order if there are others interested and the cost is high.

[plantsnobin]

Jo, how many are you needing? I wouldn't mess with the small ones, I have some that I can't remember what they are called right now off hand. But, they are bigger and they taper at the bottom. They can be reused several years. Probably couldn't buy anything as thick now, seems they make everything thinner these days. I have had these for several years, don't remember where I bought them, but I can get different sizes from Buntons or Premier. I'll try to remember to take a pic and post it.

[mnjrutherford]

OH YES! This section could also include a "LINKS" post where we can list resources for stuff like root stock. Someone gave me a great link for root stock but you think I can find it? HECK NO! ::sigh::

[mnjrutherford]

Way cool Karen. I really can't tell you how many I need. My heart says a thousand, my head thwaps my heart and says, "You dinkle dorf! I'll eat my hat if you get a hundred planted!" On the other hand, I want to do onions and that will take quite a few I'd imagine. So maybe 500 cells? How many cells to a tray?

Regarding postage, do y'all realize you can purchase postage online? If one needs to pay the other for postage in order to get something in the mail as fast as possible, Person A would pack and weigh and measure (H" x W" x D") the package. This information would then be transmitted to Person B. Person B could then sign on to USPS website, enter said data and pay for the required postage. Person A could then download and print the prepaid address label, affix it to the package and drop it at any location that accepts mail. I've used the Click n' Ship program quite a bit for the last 5 years or so and it works pretty well. Let me know if you have questions.

[bluelacedredhead]

I prefer the 9 cell packs to start with. They are small cells, but the flat itself is less likely I find to tip over due to it's square shape.
www.seedandgarden.com/shop/products/Seed-Starter-Plant-Cells-72-Refill.html

Once the seedlings outgrow these, I move them into larger single packs or single serving yogurt containers...Third transplant is to large yogurt containers.

For plants that don't care for transplanting, such as pumpkins, I start them in large peat (or coir) pots and transplant them to the garden in same.

Jo, ask around your area. There are often folks who keep containers then decide that it's too much trouble to start their own seeds. Or buy a few this year to get started. But when spring planting rolls around, be on the lookout for discarded containers on garbage day, in recycling bins, or, if you have to take your own garbage to the landfill, check there for good pickings! I'm not ashamed to say that I've been known to dumpster "dive" at the landfill in order to rescue a good container or two. Some garden centres will give patrons extra slightly used containers as well.

[mjc]

Here's a place I'd love to do business with, but can never seem to hit that magic number...$75 (when you look at their prices you can understand why...)

www.novoselenterprises.com/default.asp

[bunkie]

jo, have you tried a soil blocker? i bought one from Johnny's many years ago and still use it today...

thesoilblocker.blogspot.com/

[mnjrutherford]

Good suggestion Blue! In fact, I've already taken that advice! ;o) My county extension buddy has me hooked up with all the "big" pots I could every hope for! I just haven't been able to locate the small seedling size trays.

WHOA MJC! Now THAT is a website! I see your point about the "magic" number!

[Dan]

Jan 18, 2010 11:43:31 GMT -5 mjc said:

Here's a place I'd love to do business with, but can never seem to hit that magic number...$75 (when you look at their prices you can understand why...)

www.novoselenterprises.com/default.asp

wow! cheapest price i have ever seen on Jiffy pellets! I was just looking at ordering some from a different site but i am damn glad i waited.

[mjc]

Yeah, one of the local greenhouses uses them and gave me the name, before I found a bunch of folks online talking about them...I AM going to order from them, this year...but you'd be surprised at how many pots $75 will get you.

[Dan]

Looks like seedandgarden.com has a better price on the 42mm Jiffy 7's.....1,000 for $80 isn't bad.

[sandbar]

The Novosel has the best prices I've seen for small order quantities.

If anyone is looking to purchase case quantities, I've ordered from the Greenhouse Mega Store and have been very pleased. Haven't found anyone who can beat their case prices. I've purchased 4" and 6" pots, hanging baskets, cell flats and more from them. Highly recommended.

www.greenhousemegastore.com/

[mnjrutherford]

I made a small order from Novosel yesterday. I spent about $35. I'll let you know how it goes when it arrives.

Meanwhile, we have a teeny tiny orchard where we need to do something drastic to execute the lawn so it doesn't choke the trees. Some of the trees are damaged as it is. Anyway, we have have experimented on a small scale with black plastic. Laying it out and leaving it to "cook" the soil was successful and following up with mulch is great. SO, we need black plastic.

I have found this website:

www.plasticsheetingsupply.com/plastic-sheeting-black-c-35_39.html
Plastic Sheeting Supply. This should take you to the 4 mil page. They have all kinds of other plastics, but this is what we need. You'll notice that you can get 100' rolls from 3' to 14' wide for under $50. Aside from the fact that black plastic needs special attention to recycle (and we are willing to take those steps), do any of you have some thoughts on this?

[plantsnobin]

Jo, a plain old lumber yard or store like Home Depot or Lowes will have black plastic probably cheaper. You should be able to get a 100x25 pretty cheap.
I wouldn't get what most people call 'cell-packs' for starting seeds. Not the ones that you buy bedding plants in. What I am talking about is the pro stuff, the ones I like best are from Summit plastics, the 32 plug trays are great. They are tapered and have a whole at the bottom so the roots don't circle so much if they are left too long before transplanting. I should have mentioned though, that in the old days you just used a sowing flat made of plywood. The seed flats would need to be about 2 or 3 inches deep, then you transplant into a box that is deeper. Transplanting encourages finer feeder roots to develop, giving you a tougher plant. Once they are in the bigger flat, you can cut it like a cake for the individual plants a couple of days before you are ready to plant out. A couple of transplants really does make a strong plant, and was how they used to do it, but of course now, automation is the name of the game. Think I'll go see if Mike has any plywood I could steal...

[mnjrutherford]

Jan 22, 2010 9:14:19 GMT -5 @plantsnobin said:

I wouldn't get what most people call 'cell-packs' for starting seeds. Not the ones that you buy bedding plants in. What I am talking about is the pro stuff, the ones I like best are from Summit plastics, the 32 plug trays are great.

Sorry, Karen, I'm not sure I follow you? I got some "trays" called 1020 that are supposed to hold a number of the cell goodies. The cell goodies were either "solid" or had perforations that you could tear them apart to make 4 packs, 6 packs, or whatever. At least, that is what I was expecting.

This multiple transplanting thing, that isn't good for ALL plants is it? I was hoping to start cabbage, onions, spinach, chard, and peas for right now. I was also going to start a few very early tomatoes. Maybe some lettuce as well. Am I on the right track?