Containerted's 2016 startup

ContainerTed · March 13, 2016

Today was the start to getting the seeds into the mix. I'll have at least two other trays like this one. Note that each of the 72 little compartments have multiple seeds in them.

I'll have the other two trays in a day or so. No hurry here. The second picture is the simple map of what seeds are in which compartment in case things get jumbled or take a hit or something. I also use that map to indicate that a little seedling has appeared indicating that germination has happened.

clara · March 13, 2016

It's really funny, Ted! That's almost exactly what my starting trays look like, but without the white stickers. The seed tray is in another tray, marked with A - L and 1 - 6. Then there is a map similar to yours with all the names and the number of seeds in each cell and I can see that in cell # G3 is Maiden's Fire for example.

PhilaGardener · March 13, 2016

Off to a nice start! Your picture is almost clear enough to provide the same info as your handwritten spreadsheet!

ContainerTed · March 13, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilaGardener

Off to a nice start! Your picture is almost clear enough to provide the same info as your handwritten spreadsheet!

Actually, the original picture had to be size reduced to be able to post it here. The original is good enough to read the back row with ease.

ContainerTed · March 13, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by clara

It's really funny, Ted! That's almost exactly what my starting trays look like, but without the white stickers. The seed tray is in another tray, marked with A - L and 1 - 6. Then there is a map similar to yours with all the names and the number of seeds in each cell and I can see that in cell # G3 is Maiden's Fire for example.

Clara, are you back home now? Hope so. You might see a couple of familiar names in this first tray. And, did you know that those white stickers are "cut up mini-blinds". Next destinations for the current occupants of this tray will be 9 oz plastic cups followed by a main garden location.

imp · March 13, 2016

Very nice printing, too! Want to do my labels from now on??? LOL!

Iam glad you are getting to start some, it's fun to get into the dirt.

AlittleSalt · March 13, 2016

It's all a really good system, but cut up mini-blinds is pure genius.

heirloomtomaguy · March 13, 2016

Very nice Ted. Here's to another great season my friend.

ContainerTed · March 13, 2016

Yeah, Robert. We've been using them for several years now. I cut each of the blind blades down the middle and then to the length I like. Then, a fine point Sharpie and we're off to the planting.

It's the easiest and, most importantly, by far, the CHEAPEST way to do it. You can buy a new blind or just use an old one that needed replacing. Each slat in a standard window width will yield up to 16 plant markers. An old pair of scissors cuts the plastic easily.

And, they go to the garden or container at plant-out time. I stick them in the ground when the seedling is planted and pick them out when cleaning up the garden in the fall. The shade from the plant all but eliminates sun fade.

ContainerTed · March 13, 2016

Hey, Garrett. A couple of the ones I got from you are in that tray. Hope your season is bountiful and everything tastes good.

PhilaGardener · March 13, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

And, they go to the garden or container at plant-out time. I stick them in the ground when the seedling is planted and pick them out when cleaning up the garden in the fall. The shade from the plant all but eliminates sun fade.

I've had problems with Sharpie "permanent" marker fading on mine, so I simply write the name at the top (exposed) and again near the point. Where it is underground, the writing remains clear and easy to read if I can't make out the name on the top. Saved me from lost ID more than once.

AlittleSalt · March 13, 2016

Ted, I showed this to my wife and she's agreeing 100%. She says a 24" blind at Walmart sells for $2.78 - larger ones for $3.78. I know how I'll be doing this from now on.

timbucktwo · March 13, 2016

I was just getting ready to throw out an old set of Venetian blinds, great idea!

heirloomtomaguy · March 13, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by ContainerTed

Hey, Garrett. A couple of the ones I got from you are in that tray. Hope your season is bountiful and everything tastes good.

I too have several of the ones you sent me in the ground already. Thanks again Ted

Starlight · March 14, 2016

Lots of time you can drive down the road and find lots of free blinds from where folks have thrown them out. If you have mini blinds and they too long for your window, you can always take out the bottom ones and cut them up.

Nice selection you have started there. : ) Lots I haven't heard of before, so it will be nice later on to see how they do and what you think of them.

March 13, 2016	#8
heirloomtomaguy Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2013 Location: glendora ca Posts: 2,560	Very nice Ted. Here's to another great season my friend. __________________ “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."

March 13, 2016	#9
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Yeah, Robert. We've been using them for several years now. I cut each of the blind blades down the middle and then to the length I like. Then, a fine point Sharpie and we're off to the planting. It's the easiest and, most importantly, by far, the CHEAPEST way to do it. You can buy a new blind or just use an old one that needed replacing. Each slat in a standard window width will yield up to 16 plant markers. An old pair of scissors cuts the plastic easily. And, they go to the garden or container at plant-out time. I stick them in the ground when the seedling is planted and pick them out when cleaning up the garden in the fall. The shade from the plant all but eliminates sun fade. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch Last edited by ContainerTed; March 13, 2016 at 09:52 PM.

March 13, 2016	#10
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Hey, Garrett. A couple of the ones I got from you are in that tray. Hope your season is bountiful and everything tastes good. __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

March 13, 2016	#2
clara Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 1,351	It's really funny, Ted! That's almost exactly what my starting trays look like, but without the white stickers. The seed tray is in another tray, marked with A - L and 1 - 6. Then there is a map similar to yours with all the names and the number of seeds in each cell and I can see that in cell # G3 is Maiden's Fire for example.

March 13, 2016	#3
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Off to a nice start! Your picture is almost clear enough to provide the same info as your handwritten spreadsheet!

March 13, 2016	#6
imp Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Posts: 4,832	Very nice printing, too! Want to do my labels from now on??? LOL! Iam glad you are getting to start some, it's fun to get into the dirt.

March 13, 2016	#7
AlittleSalt BANNED FOR LIFE Join Date: May 2014 Posts: 13,333	It's all a really good system, but cut up mini-blinds is pure genius.

March 13, 2016	#13
timbucktwo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Michigan Posts: 54	I was just getting ready to throw out an old set of Venetian blinds, great idea!

March 14, 2016	#15
Starlight Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: AL Posts: 1,993	Lots of time you can drive down the road and find lots of free blinds from where folks have thrown them out. If you have mini blinds and they too long for your window, you can always take out the bottom ones and cut them up. Nice selection you have started there. : ) Lots I haven't heard of before, so it will be nice later on to see how they do and what you think of them.