Kody Hanner
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What could it really hurt to not sanitize something that has been sitting dry for last year?
Surprisingly, a lot! Mold spores can dry to the inside of pots, trays, and tools. Then when seedlings are started and everything is wet, warm, and a wonderful food supply is added, it’s a perfect environment for mold, mildew, and fungus.
What to do about this?
First step is mold prevention
Well, it helps to rinse your trays or pots after transplanting but let’s be serious. When you’re done planting your garden in the spring, the last thing that you want to do is rinse out a couple hundred pots. You next option leads to January when you are ready to start your inside seedlings.
How I do it
- Knock all the excess soil and debris off the pots.
- Soak pots in a large sink of tub with hot water and an antimicrobial soap (like dawn).
- Next, I scrub by hand with a sponge. Usually the pots are flimsy, so I don’t scrub hard. Just a light wipe out.
- Then I set them out on my growing racks with paper towels to air dry.
- While they are drying, I mix up a 10:1 bleach mixture in a spray bottle.
- Once the pots are dry, I spray each one inside and out with the bleach mixture. Don’t worry about bleach on your plants, it evaporates quickly. Don’t spray on carpet or near anything else that would be ruined by bleach.
- When the bleach has fully evaporated, I stack all the pots in a clean box to have handy once I start planting.
Ventilation!
I know that when trying to heat a mudroom or greenhouse in January that last thing you want to do is open a window. So, using a fan is really important. I use an oscillating standing fan. That way there is plenty of air movement, but it actually makes for stronger seedlings. When the weather warms up some to a point that I either don’t need my space heater anymore or not as often, I immediately crack a nearby window. This keeps mold spores dried out.
Also, when I am using seed starting trays, I will prop the lid slightly or use the ones that have a vent on top.
Moisture regulation
Yes, seedling need to stay moist at all times. But there is a chance of them staying too moist. When the seedlings are small at don’t have deep roots, I water from the top with a spray bottle as close to the soil as I can in each tray. Then I use the plastic covers to hold that moisture in. Once the plants have deep roots or have outgrown the height of the plastic covers, I water from the bottom in the base tray. This way no water is sitting at the base of the stem. If I can, about an hour after I water, I go check to see if all the water has been absorbed and discard any that is still sitting stagnant.
Keep Plants Spaced
I am the absolute worst about thinning plants! I will end up with way too many seedlings in a pod or insist on replanting every little one. Let me teach from my mistakes though! THIN SEEDLINGS! Its so much healthier for them, more ventilation, more nutrients, and stronger plants. So just do it!
Quality Seeds from reputable sellers
I choose to buy all heritage seeds (if I can). FYI those yellow tomatoes that everyone loves are hybrid. I buy most of my seeds from True Leaf Market and I love the guides that you can download from their sight on growing vegetables and herbs. They are great quick references.
Saving Moldy Seedlings
Occasionally mold happens still. I use discretion on which plants are worth it. If it’s a nice strong tomato plant, I will separate it from the group first. Then I will clean it up, maybe even transplant to a clean and sanitized pot. Usually, they pull through pretty well and I don’t see any additional grown. If the plants will mold are something like microgreens, I will either toss a hole tray or cut out that whole section and compost it. They are too hard to clean up and will usually end up being damaged.
Moving forward with Seedlings
As I move through the season, I will be posting additional information about seed starting and gardening. If you subscribe to my newsletter or follow us on Facebook or Instagram, you will be the first to know about new posts!
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