Episode 997 - Successful Seed Starting

Living Free in Tennessee - Nicole Sauce

Join me for a discussion on starting your seeds and out usual “Monday Segments.”

Spring Workshop, April 24-26:P https://www.livingfreeintennessee.com/spring-workshop-2025/

Sponsor 1: InvestibleWealth.com

Sponsor 2: EMPShield.com, Coupon code LFTN

LFTN Spring Workshop Tickets go on Sale Saturday at 9am Central.

• Alan Booker, 2 deep sessions on permaculture topics
• Jack Spirko, Building Bioreactor Compost and Biochar
• Nicole Sauce, Lessons Learned from 3 Years Raising Regenerative Sheep
• Emily Skyles Zanotti: Urban Homesteading
• Dawn Gorham, Building A Homestead Business
• Tactical Redneck - A tour of erosion remediation projects at the Holler Homestead.
• Joel Ryals, Problem Solving and Planning for Success
• Roundtable Discussion. Function stacking: Holler Homestead Greenhouse Design with Nicole Sauce
• Harry Albright - Hands on - Building Cages
• Knitting - Lani Johnson
• Jenni Hill - Somatic Movement and Breath Work
• Barter Blanket
• John Pugliano - Permaculture Your Wealth
• Kerry Brown- Planning Your Off Grid Home
• Patrick Roehrman - Accomplishing Anything How I transformed raw land into a family HQ

Updated Links for Equipment:

• Lighting: Burrina Full-Spectrum LED
• Seed Heat Mat: Updated options on Amazon

Tales from the Prepper Pantry

• Double and triple cooking paid off for Mom’s knee replacement
• Looking to skim coat the concrete this weekend or next week so that we can move utilities and do the final sweep in there
• Refining what I store to LESS

Frugality Tip - send one in

Operation Independence

Picked up the processed lambs today, Lambs for sale!

Main Topic: Seed Starting

4 Keys to Successful Seedlings

1. Light, Light, Light
   • A window isn’t going to cut it—this is the #1 reason for failure.
   • Use proper, full-spectrum grow lights (like Burrina lights) positioned uncomfortably close to seedlings.
   • Keep lights on 12-16 hours per day for strong, stocky plants.
   • If you don’t have grow lights, be prepared for leggy seedlings.
2. Soil Temperature Matters
   • Too cold? Bad germination and weak seedlings.
   • Ideal temp: 65-85 for many plants
   • Use a seed heat mat (updated links below) or place trays in a warm spot like on top of the fridge.
3. Consistent Moisture—Not Overwatering
   • Keep soil evenly moist, not soggy.
   • Bottom watering is best—use trays with no holes to create a DIY water table.
   • Overwatering leads to weak roots and damping off. Underwatering even once can stunt growth for the life of the plant
4. Potting Mix & Soil Biology
   • If you’re new, just buy a good quality seed-starting mix. Look for fine-textured, bark-free soil.
   • Pro tip: Add a quart of soil from a well-run local garden to introduce beneficial microbes and integrate local soil biology.
   • Advanced growers: Make your own with compost, biochar, worm castings, and indigenous microorganisms (IMO).
   • Compost tea made from local soil is a fantastic boost.

Soil Mix

• Don’t mix your own unless you know what you’re doing (WRONG ADVICE)
  • Experiment while setting yourself up for success—but start with a 50/50 blend before committing fully.
  • Learn from my mistakes

Trays & Containers

• Deep pots (3-4 inches) = Stronger roots
• Plastic trays with no drainage holes work great for bottom watering.
• Solo cups are cheap and effective (poke a few drainage holes).
• Peat pucks: Can work, but I don’t use them.
• Peat pots: Just don’t.

Choosing Seeds: Heirloom vs. Hybrid

• It’s all okay! Pick what works for your system.
• Good seedling choices: Tomatoes, peppers, kale, chard, broccoli, lettuce, loofahs.
• Less ideal: Squash, cucumbers (direct sow if possible).
• Don’t start indoors: Peas, beans, carrots, and most root crops.

First Year: Choose 1-2 things, experiment, and don’t stress if you buy starts. Keep going!

Troubleshooting Germination: The Paper Towel Trick

• Use damp paper towels in a plastic bag to check seed viability before planting.

Keeping Costs Down (While Buying Quality Equipment)

• Source second-hand greenhouse supplies from local growers.
• Attend local seed swaps (like the one here in February) for high-quality, adapted seeds.
• Consider bulk seed buys as a community.

Make it a great week!

GUYS! Don’t forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.

Community

• Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv
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Resources

• Membership Sign Up

• Holler Roast Coffee

• Harvest Right Affiliate Link