How can I water indoor seedlings in winter while out of town?
February 18, 2023 10:16 AM Subscribe
How can I water indoor seedlings in winter while out of town for 4 days - 2 weeks? Frequent business trips mean I can’t ensure any seedlings I start will make it and I hate to put all the effort in if they’re doomed from the start.
I have been starting seedlings in March for years now because my 5b zone is too cold to start a lot in the ground. My setup includes grow lights on timers and a heat mat for germination. Typically, seedlings are grown in 48 cell plastic containers or larger compostable containers.
This year I am living alone and have experienced that I can’t leave seedlings, once sprouted, for more than 2 days before they die. I will be traveling in March for business a lot. Short of asking a neighbor to water (they aren’t super dependable), which I’d like to avoid, are there any dependable watering/care techniques that might work? The only thing I can think to try is running a cotton string from a water container either under or over the cells but I’ve never tried it before.
I have been starting seedlings in March for years now because my 5b zone is too cold to start a lot in the ground. My setup includes grow lights on timers and a heat mat for germination. Typically, seedlings are grown in 48 cell plastic containers or larger compostable containers.
This year I am living alone and have experienced that I can’t leave seedlings, once sprouted, for more than 2 days before they die. I will be traveling in March for business a lot. Short of asking a neighbor to water (they aren’t super dependable), which I’d like to avoid, are there any dependable watering/care techniques that might work? The only thing I can think to try is running a cotton string from a water container either under or over the cells but I’ve never tried it before.
Best answer: Once sprouted, do they still need the heat mat? If not, you might try putting the trays on a capillary mat in the bathtub, with the faucet dripping slightly to keep adding water to the capillary mat.
posted by hanov3r at 10:37 AM on February 18, 2023
posted by hanov3r at 10:37 AM on February 18, 2023
Best answer: The only thing I can think to try is running a cotton string from a water container either under or over the cells but I’ve never tried it before.
Works well in my experience, but might depend on the needs of the specific seedlings. I'd set this up now and see how it works in the weeks before you have to leave. You might find you need more or fewer strings to keep moisture at the right level. Also, I've found this kind of specialized cord pretty good; I'd probably go with a thinner diameter if the seedlings are in small pots.
If a capillary mat works that would probably be much easier (no need to deal with getting finicky strings to stay in place) but again, I'd want to try it out beforehand while I can monitor it.
posted by trig at 11:51 AM on February 18, 2023
Works well in my experience, but might depend on the needs of the specific seedlings. I'd set this up now and see how it works in the weeks before you have to leave. You might find you need more or fewer strings to keep moisture at the right level. Also, I've found this kind of specialized cord pretty good; I'd probably go with a thinner diameter if the seedlings are in small pots.
If a capillary mat works that would probably be much easier (no need to deal with getting finicky strings to stay in place) but again, I'd want to try it out beforehand while I can monitor it.
posted by trig at 11:51 AM on February 18, 2023
Last year I tried starting some of my seeds in milk jug "green houses" outside. I don't think I ever watered them after the initial planting. It worked surprisingly well & you don't have to harden your plants off. I"m in Denver, so 5b as well. It's called Winter Sowing. There are many instructionals, I've linked to one, there are also lots on YouTube. Worth trying in case you can't work the indoor thing. I gave my neighbor some of the spinach seedlings and they're the only ones that grew for her last year.
posted by BoscosMom at 1:20 PM on February 18, 2023
posted by BoscosMom at 1:20 PM on February 18, 2023
You could combine a multiday timer (I've had good luck with these Melnor units) with a drip irrigation system like these from Rainbird (lots of options depending on your needs). Emitters are available from a nominal 0.5 - 2 gallons per hour and the timer can can run for as little as a minute to six hours multiple times per day allowing pretty fine tuning of the amount of water dispensed and when.
Once your seedlings are in the ground the system can be repurposed for outside.
The timer needs a hose connection which you might be able to get from your washer or from a laundry sink.
There are products aimed at the indoor market but I haven't used any of them.
posted by Mitheral at 1:40 PM on February 18, 2023
Once your seedlings are in the ground the system can be repurposed for outside.
The timer needs a hose connection which you might be able to get from your washer or from a laundry sink.
There are products aimed at the indoor market but I haven't used any of them.
posted by Mitheral at 1:40 PM on February 18, 2023
Response by poster: I’ve used Blumat Capilary devices that you stick into plants but somehow have never seen Capilary mats — game changer! I also picked up some string just in case. In my ideal garden setup of the future I will have an automated drip watering system outdoors, so thanks for more info about it.
BoscosMom you must eventually transplant everything from the jugs, right? I’ve tried winter gardening with a plastic tent and nothing died, but nothing really grew much. It’s a cool idea for the future, but right now the things I need to start in March are flowers and other heat-sensitive plants.
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:58 AM on February 19, 2023
BoscosMom you must eventually transplant everything from the jugs, right? I’ve tried winter gardening with a plastic tent and nothing died, but nothing really grew much. It’s a cool idea for the future, but right now the things I need to start in March are flowers and other heat-sensitive plants.
posted by Bunglegirl at 10:58 AM on February 19, 2023
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posted by janell at 10:18 AM on February 18, 2023