http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/seed-starting-essentials/ Featuring Vegetable Gardening Tips, Organic Growing Techniques, and Unique Plants for the Backyard Gardener Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:32:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/seed-starting-essentials/#comment-54397 Kenny Point Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:22:02 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/seed-starting-essentials/#comment-54397 Hi Dena, you can start your vegetable seedlings just fine without a germination mat and they are more of a luxury than a need when it comes to seed starting. Commercial germination mats are expensive, but they should last you through many, many seasons of seed starting. The goal is to simply warm your soil-less growing mixture by a few degrees to speed germination. You can improvise by placing your seedling flats and tray in a warm location or on top of a source of gentle even heat until the seeds germinate. But for safety reasons I wouldn't recommend using any electrical device that wasn't designed for the purpose of starting seeds. Hi Dena, you can start your vegetable seedlings just fine without a germination mat and they are more of a luxury than a need when it comes to seed starting. Commercial germination mats are expensive, but they should last you through many, many seasons of seed starting. The goal is to simply warm your soil-less growing mixture by a few degrees to speed germination. You can improvise by placing your seedling flats and tray in a warm location or on top of a source of gentle even heat until the seeds germinate. But for safety reasons I wouldn’t recommend using any electrical device that wasn’t designed for the purpose of starting seeds.

]]> http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/seed-starting-essentials/#comment-54370 Dena G Wed, 12 Mar 2008 15:47:27 +0000 http://www.veggiegardeningtips.com/seed-starting-essentials/#comment-54370 I live in Colorado northeast of Denver, zone 5b. I am starting many types of veggie seeds. Should I invest in the heat mats? They are expensive. I've heard they are only good one season. Could I use an inexpensive heating pad like the ones in drug stores for muscle aches? Thanks for any help. Your site is very informative. I live in Colorado northeast of Denver, zone 5b. I am starting many types of veggie seeds. Should I invest in the heat mats? They are expensive. I’ve heard they are only good one season. Could I use an inexpensive heating pad like the ones in drug stores for muscle aches?
Thanks for any help. Your site is very informative.

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