I generally start plants with bottom heat in trays for a few days.
After emerging I take off the plastic top and place out in a bright spot
for a few days bring in at night. Than I move the culled survivors to
a cold where they reside until the night is above 50 F. Then outside
still in their trays for a few days, Then into the garden.

Any improvements would you suggest?


Found below link but it is chemical in path forward.

Bill who stores old milk bottles in cold from to moderate temperature.
Heat sink in a way.

http://home.insightbb.com/~g.mager/Growlab/Gen-seed-start.html

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Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

In article
,
Bill wrote:

I generally start plants with bottom heat in trays for a few days.
After emerging I take off the plastic top and place out in a bright spot
for a few days bring in at night. Than I move the culled survivors to
a cold where they reside until the night is above 50 F. Then outside
still in their trays for a few days, Then into the garden.

Any improvements would you suggest?


Found below link but it is chemical in path forward.

Bill who stores old milk bottles in cold from to moderate temperature.
Heat sink in a way.

http://home.insightbb.com/~g.mager/Growlab/Gen-seed-start.html

Cold Frame!

Sorry!

Bill

--
Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

In article , Charlie wrote:



I have found that doing one transplanting before going to ground gives
healthier plants. I always transplant to three or four inch pots, I'm
using peat pots because I have a bunch, bought on sale a couple years
ago. I then pack the pots into trays. I also save and scavenge pots
from friends, my own, etc. This takes more room. I use palstic dish
pans and plastic cat litter trays (cheap ones) that I drill full of
holes for drainage.

Transplanting seedlings when they get their first true leaves gives
them a big boost for some reason and the larger pots allow for better
root development.

I haul mine in and out in garden wagons, where they stay until going to
ground. If it is too nasty out, I lay grow lights across the wagon in
garage. I have lost plants to wind. Wind is not good on them when
introducing them to the outside world.

Multiple transplanting is unheard of here. We start in 2 inch square
pots and move to earth when ready. Don't ask! )).
I'm in starting mode so will give it a try. Fun to learn new stuff!

Bill

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Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA

In article , Charlie wrote:

On Sun, 13 Apr 2008 14:08:41 -0400, Bill wrote:


Multiple transplanting is unheard of here. We start in 2 inch square
pots and move to earth when ready. Don't ask! )).

Sigh.......you know I must ask. I 'spose the answer is "Because that
is the way we have always done it." ;-)

Charlie

Yup. But remember we were able to get much smaller pulled plants . I'd
ask for a dozen tomatoes and get thirty. This with sweets, squash and
tomatoes in particular and even flowers. Old retired navy guy had an
German wife . Hell we could get orchids and eggs too. Gone now almost
20 trips about the sun.

Bill felling like an old dog.

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Garden in shade zone 5 S Jersey USA