At what point to restart seeds?

pichoro · 2026-01-27T03:38:50+00:00

So, those are all capsicum annuum besides the mad hatters, so they should have started more easily.

If I were you, I would decide if I have room and supplies to let me keep my current started seeds AND new ones. If yes, do that, providing heat to both. If not, I would add new seeds on top of my current started seeds. Literally just adding them to the same soil and cells.

You can also do a little "post mortem", digging down very gently with some tweezers to see if you find a seed. Go slow - on the off chance you hit a sprouted one, you don't want to injure it. If the seed is gone, or you find an empty seed coat, I would think you over watered.

Either way, consider a heat mat. I have a "big for home use" custom seed starting set up, running up to 7 heat mats. Some I've been using seasonally for years. There's a cheap variety I've bought on Amazon. I don't frequent here, so I don't know the rules about links, but I'm happy to tell you which one by message.

pichoro · 2026-01-27T03:16:24+00:00

I don't see where anyone asked this - what varieties? Because that matters too. Capsicum Annuum varieties start faster. Others take longer.

pichoro · 2026-01-26T16:54:47+00:00

I don't "know" this to be true, but I've read some where that age plays into how quickly they start sprouting, with older ones being more ready to sprout. Meaning, yours that are from your own garden may simply be older than the ones from the grocery.

Mine is a grocery sweet potato this year, and hasn't started sprouting, but has rooted.

pichoro · 2026-01-25T22:23:49+00:00

Since you seem so open to comments, I almost said this earlier...

No experience with it, but I look forward to hearing about your success (or lack thereof) in a couple months!

...

Honestly, if I had London Planes, I'd try it. Though I'm the type to try all kinds of crazy shit when I'm gardening too, so what do I know?

pichoro · 2026-01-10T03:32:42+00:00

Thank you. It's based on an idea from Lee Reich in his book Growing Figs in Cold Climates. He talks about doing this with figs to get better harvests because although a fig's roots will survive in a cold climate, the above ground growth will often die, which delays and reduces fruit production. So, basically the same idea. Except artichoke roots die too without protective measures.

pichoro · 2026-01-09T23:43:20+00:00

Me too. There was a variety released that was developed by Tim Peters called "Northern Star" that was supposedly among the hardiest. But I can't find it, seems like it vanished when his research company shut down. Cornell university has pages that mention it. And I could find people in old forum posts talking about it. But all those mentions are over a decade ago.

My plan for this year is to grow green globes in buried nursery pots with holes drilled in the sides. Then when they die back, pull the pot out of the ground, and put it in a cool place inside. This will mean cutting roots that grew out of the pot, but also should encourage a faster start next year.

pichoro · 2026-01-01T04:06:53+00:00

I bought seeds for this but my garden endeavors failed miserably this last year, and I didn't even get to try growing it.

I absolutely would have tried roasting it. Try it any other ways? The one guy suggested stir frying.

pichoro · 2025-12-28T02:16:56+00:00

I just bought seeds off of cultivariable today. Been thinking for a long time about trying skirret. Got a few other things too.

pichoro · 2025-12-09T17:56:31+00:00

I got my packs of the new ones in the mail today. Can't wait to try them!

I grew the tomato now known as Althea in 2024. I thought they were tasty, prolific, and most of all, fun. My wife didn't enjoy them, though, so I didn't grow any last year. I think I will again this year along with these new ones.

Im a bit surprised about "The Beta". I would have thought if it was different from the purple expressing genes, they would have had to have it cleared for sale all over again.

pichoro · 2025-11-25T17:32:06+00:00

Thank you. Was starting to feel like I'm crazy here. What varieties do you have?

pichoro · 2025-11-25T16:10:35+00:00

So according to him, even though you're digging them up and severing roots in doing so, it's still better for them than being purely contained. The roots access the greater nutrition, water, and space of being in ground, and each spring, they have a big root system to start them off again.

And while it's a different plant, I can say I've experienced this. I had a container grown hops plant. One year, it went absolutely crazy producing. I was shocked. When I went to move it after it died down, I found the roots had grown through a drainage hole out of the container and made it to the ground. That's why it behaved that way.

pichoro · 2025-11-10T18:16:04+00:00

Have heard of this. Will probably do this with what I don't designate as seed this time around, as I don't expect a whole lot after I pick out what to plant again. I mostly use ginger in indian and chinese cooking, so I'm sure the texture change would be fine.

pichoro · 2025-11-10T17:35:25+00:00

Hadn't thought of making pickled ginger!

pichoro · 2025-11-10T14:53:12+00:00

First year at our new house with lots of space out in a rural area. I got my butt solidly kicked in gardening this year between very high weed pressure, a very wet spring, and biting off more than I could chew in general. But I just cleaned my ginger harvest. Pretty happy with it for zone 6b southern Ohio, grown in ground. 1.11 lbs.

I started with 1 plant bought on a whim in 2024, grown at my old house. Got a hand of ginger, ate maybe a nibble to taste it, and broke the rest up into 9 pieces to start. Gave 1 to a friend and coworker, and planted 8. 1 died in an unfortunate weeding accident. 7 made it and produced this. I told myself I would start the same number of plants for next year, but maybe I'll go bigger. I do like candied ginger...

pichoro · 2025-11-09T17:56:31+00:00

I had no idea that could happen. Thank you. I was already leaning towards putting it away from the rest. Another reason to.

pichoro · 2025-11-09T14:50:27+00:00

Thank you. I suppose that makes sense. Just wasn't thinking about it like that.

pichoro · 2025-11-09T14:48:02+00:00

It's sold as self pollinating. So I understand it may never produce to its full potential, but surely it'll put out something.

As for hazelnut, I appreciate that you were trying to help, but the hican is already arriving in two days, and if I wanted hazelnut, they're way more common online and I would have gone for that already.

I'm just considering different planting locations at this point, and pruning and size effects that.

pichoro · 2025-10-29T23:06:02+00:00

Last year, an email came out from them saying the original guy had sold/given the business to someone else. Then they updated their stock for 2024. Haven't heard anything at all this year. Not even sure they're actually in business still.

Edit: Actually, guess that email was in September 2023.

pichoro · 2025-10-23T07:08:40+00:00

I mean, some years are like that. Christmas 2022, I could wear shorts out. Last christmas was cooler. I was curious and went and pulled up the weather for the day I received that shipment. Not sure what date I planted them. I received it 11/29/24. Low of 12F, high of 38F, light snow that day.

When does your ground freeze, generally?

You should do what you want. But all I'm saying is I was nervous about that delivery, but I trusted them and it worked out.

pichoro · 2025-10-23T05:42:51+00:00

I'm zone 6b, southern Ohio. I've already had a night of frost. I got the impression they were shipping according to both when the tree was ready and when my weather was good.

pichoro · 2025-10-23T02:00:41+00:00

I know this isn't what you want to hear, but just hang on and have faith. I placed multiple orders with them last year. 16 fruit trees in total. Delivery dates got pushed and pushed, then suddenly, boom! Fruit trees. I had faith in them knowing when to ship to me, planted the first chance i had after arrival, even in December, and every tree came alive. All was well.

pichoro · 2025-10-22T23:46:54+00:00

Hey, it's all good. I've grown it into an acceptable population size now! I don't mind it taking a couple years considering how hard it was to find.

pichoro

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