Homestead mailing list

["Lisa K. V. Perry" <lkvp AT floydva.net>]

Rob Walton wrote:

> I have started my onion and cabbage seed separate communal flats. I used cut 
> off cardboard boxes lined with a garbage bag. I put these inside garbage 
> bags and set them on a (waterproof) heating pad set to the lowest temp. They 
> sprouted last week so will sit in the window for another week maybe. Then to 
> the cold frame.
>  
I've never grown onions nor cabbage.  Some vegetables intimidate me--you 
can add carrots to the list of veggies I've never attempted.  I have 
several year-old seed for onions and cabbage from when I had dreams of 
growing darn near everything.  I like this method you've used--basic and 
inexpensive. 

> It is amazing how fast and well seeds germinate when they are at the right 
> temp. Someone else said she sets them on top of the fridge to warm the soil.
>  
I've heard of using the top of the fridge but haven't tried it.  Used 
the heating pad last year, it worked well.  Would like to find and pick 
up another at a Goodwill or thrift store.

> For the peppers and other stuff, I'll pot them in newspaper pots and set 
> them in a cardboard box tray before they go to the cold frame.
>
> Cold frame is strawbales. South bale sunk in the ground partly and side 
> bales sunk to match. Window pane on top and some extra bales for really cold 
> nights.
>  
The peppers do well in your straw bale frame?  Extra bales all around on 
cold nights?