Last week in Kentucky we woke up to a dusting of snow and frost on several mornings. Tonight the temp will drop to 36 degrees. I have a good size sunroom in our barn to start seeds but heating it overnight adds up during this long stretch of winter. I decided to look for an alternative to start finicky herb and flower seeds in a sunny window so maintaining 70 degree temperatures would be no additional cost.
For those without a greenhouse, terrarium mason jars are a compact and efficient method for getting a 4 week head start on the season. This 6 tier stack, Target chrome bookshelf is only 12x12x56 inches and can start hundreds of seeds. All you need is peat, mason jars, seeds and plastic wrap. I put 10 to 15 seeds in each large jar and 6-10 seeds in small jars. Keep moist at all times by misting and lightly sprinkling inside each jar.
These starts are easier to transplant as well, using peat instead of paper towel or cloth. When I used paper the roots stuck or grew into it requiring surgical removal of the little sprout. With peat, they are ready to thin and go.
So try starting this terrarium seed nursery in a sunny window. Watching the seeds sprout is fascinating and rewarding.
