About a week late, it is time to get seeds started for spring planting of the frost-sensistive plants. Our average last frost date is May 15th, and the seeds such as pepper and tomato need to be started six weeks before the anticipated transplant date. But, I still have time to get these seedlings started in the greenhouse. In this video I will show the process I use to sow the pepper, tomato, and basil seeds, and then put them under a humidity dome on a heat mat.
Before starting I pre-mixed my own seed starting mix, and pre-moistened it so that it is ready to soak the seeds and start the germination process. It is important to moisten the seed starting mix for a least an hour before starting to use it so that the moisture fully soaks the vermiculite, peat moss, etc.. The seed starting mix should be moist enough that it forms a ball when squeezed in the hand, but not wet enough for water to drip out when squeezed.
I enjoy working in the greenhouse for starting seeds, and the young seedlings love growing in the controlled environment of the greenhouse.