simy1 wrote:

I am looking to streamline my seedling operation, mostly for vegetable
growing. At this point I start about 700 seedlings a year. With a small
greenhouse I would transfer all the operations outside the house. I see
that Johnny is offering a 5X8 thing at $295. Any advice is appreciated,
including temperature management, invasion by critters or diseases,
durability, light requirements, etc. I am thinking of placing the GH in
a spot that receives sunlight until 1pm when the leaves are out. I can
place a 55 gallon drum of water in the GH as thermal ballast.

I have a 6' x 8' hobby greenhouse. Last year we shut it down in late
Oct because I didn't want to pay the costs to heat it. It was shut down
again Jul & Aug because it was too much of pain to cool it. I'm
planning on starting it up just after Labour Day weekend for fall crops
and things I want extra seeds from. I was lucky with invasion from
critters. Light requirements involve a grow light once the natural
lighting isn't enough. Trust me on this one, a 55 gal drum will take up
way too much room in a 5' x 8' greenhouse. I use jug and other
containers painted black and spred throughout the greenhouse. If you
are anywhere where you get freezing temps forget about it. The space
iss too small and not air tight. I tightened ours up with clear marine
silicone that really helped but still not enough.

i would also like to switch from peat pots/jiffy/seedling trays and go
the soil block route. I lose too many plant to transplant shock, and
also the trays deteriorate after a while. I see that there are many
blockers on the market. I think I want the 2X2 inches basic block, just
the right size for some of the large greens transplants ( due to many
cabbage moths I prefer my transplants to be big, so they can fend for
themselves), but there are ways to have also 1X1 inch heads. I think I
can make my own soil by mixing my sandy soil with wood ash and compost
(plus sterilization by boiling). Again advice appreciated as to the
best model for me, multiple heads, efficient operations, anything else
I need to know.


I use a potting mixture and the 9 packs. To prevent damping off use a
chamomile tea mixture sprayed on the seedlings.