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Westmoreland, KS

I don't know about you guys but I'm seeing a ton of early starts from newbies on facebook. Here is a list of why I start in march:
1) Time: I know if I wait until April 10 I could be pollinating in 100 degree plus temperatures in my area.
2) I have a greenhouse
3) I have 2 small Hoop houses inside of my greenhouse
4) I have 1000ish feet of soil heating cables
5) I have heaters
6) I also have tons of fans to cool when the small hoops get hot (automatically)
7) I have wifi cameras so I can monitor the plants throughout the day
8) I have co2 to regulate early co2 levels.
9) I have way too many growlights
10) I have failed more times then I have succeeded and I expect to fail in the future.

If you start early please feel free to add to this and send newbies this way so they know what it takes to start early

4/7/2024 7:55:03 AM

Grittyville, WA

11) The soil biology is like a teenager, just because you set an alarm doesnt mean it wants to wake up.

12) Failure is an acceptable and expected cost in learning.

13) Have friends or teammates/ an external source of encouragement.

Its not bad to start early, but always treat it like a learning/ experimental endeavor and limit your emotional investment. For growers with extra seeds to spare, there is very little risk. But even most newbies probably have enough seeds for a few tries, spaced a week or two apart.
I dont see the harm in trying, other than a little discouragement. There are downsides to an early start... but at least for me in my area I still think the benefits of a successful early start outweigh the downsides.

4/7/2024 10:04:07 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

We all learn by trial and error…We have 2,4,5,6 and 10 from your list and have repeated 10 a few too many times!!

4/7/2024 10:14:33 AM

Grittyville, WA

I guess I overlapped too much, how about this:

12) Be ready to learn from your mistakes

4/7/2024 10:25:50 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

11) I have an early weighoff (September 21st) and I calculate the number of days it takes from start to finish.

4/7/2024 11:31:53 AM

Bethlehem CT

Jake You would be silly not to start early with all the reasons you gave. great post

4/8/2024 8:17:03 AM

Beaver WV

Here is my motto: You have to be willing to risk failure in order to succeed! You never know till you try! I have from Jake's list # 2,3,5,6,10 and from Little Ketchup #12,13. Keep a journal or calendar of what you are trying and when.

4/8/2024 4:19:51 PM