Food With Phil

Author: Phil Brooks

  • Gardening Links

    Seed Starting

  • 2026 Seed Trays

    Lessons Learned:

    • Use 6 cell packs instead of 72 cell packs
      • Allows for easier re-arranging later if plants need different requirements.
    • Do a better job placing like items together. i.e. light required for germination, heat mat temperatures, etc…
    • Place cell packs in a tray with holes so the entire tray can be soaked in a tray with no holes for watering.

    Notes:

    • Room temp was 50-60 for the first 2 days. Added room heater and kept at 60-75 for the remainder of grow out.

    Potting Mix:

    • 4 cups Black Kow
    • 4 cups Seed Starter
    • 1/2 cup Worm Castings

    Tray 1
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: 77 (struggled to get that high, so remained closer to 70-72 for the first 2 days until I added the room heater)(Prefer 75-85)
    Light Required: No
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date    		Germination
    Date    		Germination
    Days    		Germination
    %    		Transplant
    Date
    1TomatoCherokee Purple02/23/202602/28/2026
    2TomatoBlack Krim02/23/202602/28/2026
    3TomatoMr. Stripey02/23/202602/27/2026
    4Tomato (Cherry)Sweetie02/23/202602/28/2026
    5Tomato (Cherry)Yellow Pear02/23/202602/28/2026
    6Tomato (Cherry)Black Cherry02/23/202602/27/2026
    7Pepper (Bell)Bull Nosed Large02/23/2026
    8Pepper (Bell)California Wonder02/23/2026
    9ChamomileGerman02/23/202602/26/20263
    10MarjoramSweet02/23/202602/27/2026
    11OreganoGreek02/23/202602/28/2026
    12Lemon BalmLemon Balm02/23/202602/28/2026

    Tray 2
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None (Prefer 60-70)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date    		Germination
    Date    		Germination
    Days    		Germination
    %    		Transplant
    Date
    1LettuceLittle Gem02/23/202602/26/20263
    2LettuceLittle Gem02/23/202602/26/20263
    3LettuceBurpee Bibb02/23/202602/28/2026
    4LettuceBurpee Bibb02/23/202602/26/20263
    5LettuceBlack Seeded Simpson02/23/202602/26/20263
    6LettuceBlack Seeded Simpson02/23/202602/26/20263
    7LettuceRed Salad Bowl02/23/202602/26/20263
    8LettuceRed Salad Bowl02/23/202602/26/20263
    9LettuceButtercrunch02/23/202602/26/20263
    10LettuceButtercrunch02/23/202602/26/20263
    11CabbageSalad Delight02/23/2026
    12Napa CabbageRed Dragon Hybrid02/23/202602/26/20263

    Tray 3
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None (Prefer 60-75)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date    		Germination
    Date    		Germination
    %    		Transplant
    Date
    1MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/2026
    2MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/2026
    3MarigoldHappy Days02/23/202602/27/2026
    4MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/27/2026
    5MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/28/2026
    6MarigoldMission Giant Yellow02/23/202602/28/2026
    7Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/28/2026
    8Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/27/2026
    9Sweet MarigoldLicorice02/23/202602/28/2026
    10MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/2026
    11MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/2026
    12MarigoldSunset Giants02/23/202602/27/2026

    Notes:

    • Sweet Marigold should be treated like an herb and planted with them next year. They are more for eating and don’t provide the same companion planting benefits as the regular marigolds do.
    • The giant marigolds are showy for the flower bed, but probably too large for companion planting purposes. Plant more of the shorter varieties like Happy Days for companion planting.

    Tray 4
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None for 3 days, then 75 (Prefer 72-76)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date    		Germination
    Date    		Germination
    %    		Transplant
    Date
    1PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    2PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    3PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    4PetuniaSupercascade White Hybrid02/23/2026
    5PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    6PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    7PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    8PetuniaSupercascade Blue Hybrid02/23/2026
    9PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    10PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    11PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026
    12PetuniaSupercascade Red Hybrid02/23/2026

    Tray 5
    Cell Pack: 72
    Heat Mat Temp: None (Prefer 60-70)
    Light Required: Yes
    Light Duration: 9:05am – 1:05am (16 hrs)

    RowTypeVarietyStarted
    Date    		Germination
    Date    		Germination
    %    		Transplant
    Date
    1SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    2SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    3SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    4SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    5SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    6SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    7SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    8SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    9SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    10SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    11SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026
    12SnapdragonTopper Hybrid02/24/2026