Last year, with the luxury of the little tinkertoy greenhouse ("Q" as I called it, which I genuinely believe is the only pun I have ever made in my life), I planted many types of seed in a variety of containers, but all filled with a high-quality organic soil purchased in bags at the feed store. I puttered in the greenhouse every day, and enjoyed it tremendously.
Fortunately, the last of the trays of seedlings had just been removed to transplant when a tree fell right across the greenhouse, destroying most of the frame.
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| In happy times. Before the smash. |
I haven't yet decided how I'm going to start everything from seed again this year. I loved having the headstart of a little greenhouse, but I don't think I can afford to buy another - I bought the first one on a half-price sale, and was hoping to use it carefully for years. The method of having little covered trays on windowsills has never worked out well for me, so I really don't want to do that this year. Well, perhaps I can cobble together some way of reusing the greenhouse cover, which survived.
Anyway, back to the gardening tip.
Since some of my flats had low germination and some seedlings were attacked by invisible bugs and died after sprouting, I'd like to re-use the organic soil from those trays. So I emailed the company and asked if I should sterilize it first.
Here is the answer, which I hope a reader or two may find useful. I'll skip the part where the person recommends buying new soil, and skip to the good news:
"Old mix can, however, be sterilized for reuse. It will not be as fresh, but the sterilization process will ensure it is pest and disease free. In fact, I sometimes sterilize fresh seedling mix when I am starting prized seeds. To sterilize mix, I place it in a large, oven-safe pan, add some water to moisten the mix, and then cover it with aluminum foil. Then I bake it at 180-200 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes. The soil’s internal temperature should be at least 180 degrees F for sterilization. Allow the mix to cool before use."
So there we are. It will be interesting to see what baking soil smells like. If anyone tries it - or has tried it in the past - please share in the comments!
A real snowstorm is predicted to begin this afternoon and continue right through Sunday as either snow or freezing rain. I'm going out to batten down the hatches and also take Piper for a little walk in the woods before it begins.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Happy weekend, everyone!
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Wonder if your handyman could create a wooden underpinning for your greenhouse cover? Could be made with recycled wood and wouldn't be too time-consuming. Just a thought! Stay safe in the storm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, I'm thinking about a wooden frame, but will try to come up with something less costly. This greenhouse is just big enough that I'd have to buy lumber - which would actually cost as much as buying a complete replacement if i can get one on sale again.
DeleteI've done this cooking soil process to worried questions from family wondering if it was to eat..not the worst of smells.
ReplyDeleteAbout the greenhouse: you might think of building a new frame from pvc piping and connectors. Anchored to the ground, to avoid blowing away. And you can take it apart for storage. PVC pipe can be cut by hand, I've done it. And it's cheap. You can get special clips to anchor the cover to the frame. They work, too, used them. I haven't built a greenhouse but I have done all this to build looms, needlework stands,etc, so I recommend it. It's also fun, always a good thing.
PVC is an option, but for the size and strength needed, I think it actually would not be cheap. I do use it for some smaller things and you're right - you can do a lot with it.
DeleteI am getting a greenhouse... a gift from my father. I don't have it yet, and I guess that I need to wait until spring to install it so that I can put in a good foundation to keep the critters out. (How's that for a run on sentence?!?). How early did you start your seedlings relative to your last frost date? Just curious for the future. I have never sterilized soil. I bet it'll smell good - like warm soil in summertime. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my GOSH what a fabulous gift! Wow! I am so excited for you, KB! This will be a game-changer for you, I'm sure! I'll check my notes from last Spring, but my rule of thumb was not to plant them so early that they would likely outgrow their little sprouting containers before I could get them in the ground - and it did work out pretty well. Congratulations!!!
DeleteNice tip. Thank you. Look online for a pallet greenhouse. You can just about make anything with free pallet wood.
ReplyDeleteThe aluminum foil...I've been told the chemicals cooking with foil isn't healthy. I'd rather use a covered enamel roasterto sterilize the soil.
I'm ready to start from seed curly parsely and beets for greens using real wax paper, if that is healthy, to cover a mini window greenhouse. I do use foil covered pan to bake potatoes because little moisture exchange.
Are you growing greens right now, for winter eating? "Microgreens" seems to be a popular trend right now, which is just a different name for "eating seedlings" and it certainly is easy to do. I've used the rectangular plastic boxes that organic salad greens come in (unfortunately) and it worked out great.
DeleteI've not heard of cooking it in the over. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteWe'll see! ;)
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