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The Experiment | Adjustments & Update

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An Inquiry into the Viability of Out-of-Date Seeds

is coming along.

The overnight low last night was 56° and temperatures stayed fine. However, a quick peek at RadarScope this morning indicated that I needed to get moving. Fortunately, I had a brand new tarp and paracord. So I fashioned a new, rain- and wind-resistant outer-outer tent layer. Worked well. Nothing blew away, though we had gusts up to 19mph. Heat mat stayed dry, though we had 0.58″ of rain. And the few times I checked, soil surface temperatures were approaching 80° even though the high today was just 65°. And yes. That is unseasonably cold for May. 

It’s forecast to drop into the 40s overnight. I made a few minor adjustments just now to lessen air circulation and increase heat retention. 

The BIG news is that a few things have germinated and are coming up. The melon (the seedlings in the photo) are not big a deal. But there are tomato seedlings! Heirlooms! Some still have their seed caps on. Must have emerged today.

Models are forecasting unseasonably cool, but sunny for the next few days. You probably aren’t, but some may be surprised how easy it is to keep the temperature in the mid-80s– on a sunny day– with just the tray lids and cloches, even when ambient temperatures are in the 60s.

5 Responses

  1. That’s only 4 days germination time!!

    Good to know. I’m considering trying to start some seeds in the oven. It has a pilot light, which means that the heat level should maintain at about the 80* level you are establishing as a good germination temp. The problem, of course, is that ovens are totally dark, so I have to keep close track and take them out _immediately_ when they germinate. I have nowhere else I can rely on for those high temps. I’m still debating on whether I’m going to try it…but you’re giving me hope!

    1. One thing that occurs to me is that it won’t take a lot to harden them off.

      Oven sounds good. But yeah. Where do they go after they germinate? Do you have a sunny window sill? I’ve heard of folks putting plastic wrap over the 4-packs and putting them in a sunny window, then just taking the plastic off when they germinate. ??

  2. Hmmm…or…oven until they germinate then protected sunny location? Maybe.

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