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Minnesota

I am wondering when I should germinate my seeds and put them out in my cold frames. My pits have been dug and cold frames have been out for one week. I will be germinating the seeds in 6 inch PVC piping about 12 inches long. I would like to avoiding using a heat lamp in the cold frames but will if I have too. I currently plan on using gallon containers filled with water to retain heat at night. Any advice would help, I am getting antsy.

4/19/2007 10:28:04 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Chad,
I'm no expert, by any means. Looking at my dairy from last year, I started seed germination on Apr. 28, and planted my main plants out in the garden on May 6 and May 9. I was able to start my mainvine pollinations around July 3. Of course each year is different, weatherwise. I didn't use any heat lamps or heating coils in my cold frames.
You may want to have a heat lamp on hand, in case of a cold snap. Best of luck to you.

Doug Wallace

4/19/2007 10:48:24 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

I should add that I live in central MN.

4/19/2007 10:49:18 PM

What part of MN??? It's a longggg state north and south, and that can make a big difference. Central MN, around the twin cities... You'd be ok germinating the seeds the first week of May and putting them outside in the middle of May, as long as you had those water water jugs around them every night until towards the end of May. What part of MN are you in? Northern... I'd wait a little longer. Southern... they'd probably be ok a little earlier.

4/19/2007 10:50:39 PM

Minnesota

I am in central Minnesota

4/20/2007 8:15:26 AM

Minnesota

wow, I'm a amateur by size (pumpkin) but, I must have good luck with starting seeds indoor's, all I do is put it a inch under dirt, after soaking it for 4 hours and they come up every time. I don't drown the seed, and I don't put it directly in sunlight. I also live in Minnesota, burnsville, a suburb of mpls.

4/20/2007 11:02:28 AM

Minnesota

It's great to see more growers in the Minnesota region. If you folks ever want to come over to my gardens, you are more than welcome. Just drop me an email.

4/20/2007 11:24:52 AM

Buffalo, MN ([email protected])

Chad, even though you are using hoop houses. It really depends on how many times you want to go out in the evening and cover them to keep from freezing.

I usually plant on the 25Th of April and transplant on the 2 and 3 of May. I would consider that on the early side.
However I start plants anytime from April 1 to the 25 for various reasons. Our last frost date is May 18 +- 10 days. If the threat of frost is in the air cover small plants with a cardboard box, if theplants are larger throw a blanket over the cold frame.

Best of luck Chad
If you take a road trip, stop in. Hope to see all of you in Delano this Fall
Bill

4/21/2007 1:05:25 AM

Ham Lake, Minnesota

Chad, I live in Minneapolis and I plan to be in the ground this week. I will be using some anti-wind/cold devices of course. I was just in southern Minnesota this weekend, and down past Mankato the farmers were seeding in their crops. Flip a coin; heads says plant, tales says stay:)

4/23/2007 1:31:34 AM

Rochester, Minnesota

Then, of course, there are those goofy Minnesotans that think you can grow watermelon in this sub-artic state.

Actually the weather has been quite nice, and I am starting to think we have seen our last freeze for the winter. I am tempted to start putting some melons in the ground.

But then again, I live way down in southern Minnesota.

4/23/2007 1:51:39 PM