Pine Cone Zinnias and Seed Starting Boxes

It was really windy here yesterday!! There were 40 mph gusts!! 

The chickens had their feathers ruffled all day, the dogs hunkered down against the garage, and the pine cones fell like rain.  Now that's good news. I plan on getting out with the mower later this week and raking them up so we can enjoy a tidy yard.  This year I will save a few pine cones so I can do this.......

Pine cone zinnias!! Aren't they fun!

Susan and I saw them at the Northeast Louisiana Master Gardeners' seminar last month. They would make a cute wreath and be the perfect project to make with children.

Another interesting thing we saw at the seminar was this contraption.....

It is a seed starting box. 

I would give credit to the Master Gardener who set up this demonstration, but she didn't give her name or include it on her hand out. She did, however, give great instructions.

Materials:
cardboard box
glue
aluminum foil
rigid plastic lid or saucer
sigh socket with cord
light bulb

Directions:
1. To prepare the box, lay it on its long side. Cut ventilation slots in the back and sides near the top. Cut a 1" circle in the middle of the (now) top of the box for the light. If your box has flaps, you can tape them open so your box has more depth.

2. Apply aluminum foil. Using the glue, line the entire inside of the box (including the flaps if your box has them) with aluminum foil, shiny side facing the inside of the box. You are looking for maximum reflection. Remove foil from the ventilation slots and light circle in the top of your box. Make sure foil is well away from the light circle because of electrical hazard.

3. Cut a 1" hole in the rigid plastic and lay it over the hole on the outside top of the box.

4. Holding the light socket outside on top of the box, screw the light bulb in from the inside. Plug the light in. Make sure the cardboard doesn't touch the light bulb.

5. Make a front flap for your box using foil taped to the top front of the box, shiny side inside.

6. Put your plant tray in the box. I use trays with the clear plastic covers on until the plants are up, then remove the cover. I leave the light on all the time. I don't use a heat mat with this arrangement. I keep it inside until the plants are ready to go to the greenhouse or be planted.

She said she got great results and that she started all her seeds using this method. Let me know how it works if you decide to try it!!

Love ya'll,

Shelli

The love of gardening is a seed once sown that never dies.

- Gertrude Jekyll