Comments on Urban Garden Hoe: Repotting Seedlings: Reader Question

Heidi: The first thing I'd do is evaluate the sun ...

2009-03-28T11:13:00.000-05:00

Heidi: The first thing I'd do is evaluate the sun on your balcony. If it's south-facing, you should be good to go. If it's not, pay very close attention to where the most sun shines. (My shady front porch has two "sweet spots" that get a few hours of sun, but some areas get almost none at all.) Peppers like sun, so plan to put them in the most sunny spot your porch offers.

I'd also use the largest container that you can manage on your porch. Think, food-grade bucket. You want something around that size. (Start the seeds in something smaller, though.)

One other little tip I'd advise is to not QUITE fill the pot up all the way with soil at first. This way, half way through the summer, you can add some compost or fresh potting soil to sort of recharge the nutrition the nutrition available to your plant... and also cover up any fine little roots that may have become exposed on the surface.

Other things really depend a lot on climate. You don't want to let it dry out, but you probably won't have to water as often as I would here in Oklahoma. Just pay close attention and learn your plants watering needs (and make sure it has drainage!). You probably do have similar wind issues though, so you'll want to find a good, strong stake for your pepper plant unless your balcony is pretty protected.

Thanks for this blog! I'm trying balcony gardening...

2009-03-28T09:57:00.000-05:00

Thanks for this blog! I'm trying balcony gardening this year, and I'm going to try doing peppers from seed. Your advice is much appreciated. I enjoy your blog. - Heidi, from the Chicago suburbs

Excellent, thanks. Mine are leggy too so that make...

2009-03-19T09:10:00.000-05:00

Excellent, thanks. Mine are leggy too so that makes it worthwhile for me.

Most of the time, you CAN start them in those mid-...

2009-03-17T12:34:00.000-05:00

Most of the time, you CAN start them in those mid-sized containers. The primary reason for those small options is just space & numbers. I always start more seeds than I actually need because not all of them make it, and those smaller options fit into the space I have more easily.

Another benefit I like is that repotting the seedlings helps deal with legginess. I don't have a grow light (just a sunny windowsill), so I appreciate the opportunity to repot leggy seedlings as deeply as the new containers allow. Some plants (like tomatoes) will even grow new roots along the buried portion of their stem, so that repotting process gives them a larger root system before they go in the ground.

(Also, on a side note, those smaller options usually also work pretty well in miniature "greenhouses" that hold in moisture. That's good news for seeds & very young seedlings.)

Thanks Lizzi!

One last question...what's th...

2009-03-17T09:08:00.000-05:00