Trying to start seeds while away was a failure for me in spite of my best efforts. They need daily attention. Have everything ready and start them when you return. You will lose some time but they will catch up before the summer is over.

Jim

Lesser of two evils? Gee, that's a tough one. Obama maybe? I really don't know. The question is OT. This is a vegetable forum. I'm afraid I can't help you.

Jim

Plant whichever time will best get them to the size you want at the time to transplant to the garden. If you are only gone for a week, plant, water, and cover to hold in the moisture. Grow lights won't be needed until the seeds have come up.

While they may start to appear in 4 or 5 days, usually it takes about a week, and even if they come up earlier, a couple days sitting under cover won't hurt them. Just take care of getting them light and removing the cover as soon as you get back.

I start my seeds in a used, clear quart strawberry container which I can close the lid on. Then set it on top of the furnace or water heater or refrigerator. Once more than a couple plants are showing, I set them in a southern window and open the cover on the container, then transplant to individual small pots once they are showing some true leaves.

I have a full flat of tomatoes and peppers that I started seven days ago, and the tomatoes are all up. I don't expect to see the peppers for another week. I guess it depends on how you start them. I think if you did them the way I do, it won't be a problem. I use the flats with a solid bottom and a clear plastic dome, then I place them under flourescent lights (not even 1 inch above the dome) for 14 hours a day. I know they don't need the light to germinate, but I find that the energy is trapped in the closed system and warms the soil just enough to get things going, so there's no need for a heat mat. As long as you have the lights on a timer you won't have a problem. If you keep the lights on 24 hours you will burn out any of the seedlings that sprout while you are away. Good luck!

also, about your watering concern, I have not watered mine since I planted. The dome holds in the moisture. I will need to bring them out soon before they damp off, though.

IF you can sow the seeds the day before you leave and cover them to retain moisture you will probably be fine. In fact you can skip the heat mat to slow germination down.

With no heat mat I wouldn't be surprised if you returned after a week to no pepper germination and maybe some tomato germination.

With a dome cover and no germination there is nothing to make the soil dry out.

I went away for 10 days in February, and seeded a few flats (of onions) before I left. What I did was water the flats thoroughly (via bottom soaking) and then leave about a quarter to a half inch of water in the bottom of the flat. Enough to provide an extra few days moisture, but not enough to keep them under water the whole time I was gone. Long story short, the seeds were up and just ready for water when I returned.

For a week, I'd water thoroughly and just cover with a plastic lid - they should be fine. I wouldn't use the heat mat though.

Cheers,

Tim

I won't plant tomato seeds until March 31st. They get too big for me by May 10th if planted before then.

Wonderful advice. Thank you all. I really figured that waiting till I got back would produce tomatoes not quite ready to plant by May 10 but due to Wayne's post I might reconsider that.

I may choose to start them before and if they are ready, I'll plant them out under my hoop house outside. That is wonderful that you all don't think I need a heat source and can get by with the lights and covering them.

Another question: I have 2 southwest windows and one south east window in my home. I have the windows all rigged to have the lights for the plants. Would you place the planted seeds, lights and cover in the windows or just keep them on a counter that is also rigged for the lights? I'm just thinking that all the natural light in addition to the growing lights may be helpful.

I guess if they don't make it, I can replant. I have never done peppers before so it sounds like they need some more time.

Thanks again.

Losta ways to grow starter plants. I have a variety of things going including tomatoes, peppers, herbs, artichokes and hummingbird flowers. I started mine in mid Feb. For pots I use 12 oz. stryofoam cups filled w/ metro mix 360. All the pots(70+) are in a shallow clear "sweater" tote box (with a clear lid to start). The tote boxes are portable & make bottom watering easy. They are under flourescent t8 lights 24/7 with a fan on 12 hr/day. Everything looks great and the tomatoes have thick stems. I like to have good sized plants to put in the ground asap. I plant my peppers deep and tomatoes extra deep. Also, I like to put a few "experimental" plants out early with a Wall o' Water. Last year they made it through some late snow...I just got a variety of black tomato seeds from a GW member a few weeks ago, so those are putting out their first set of true leaves now. Next year I will get an earlier start on them...
My advice: I would start them now. As mentioned by others, you won't need light or more water for the first week. Just keep them covered. Temperature is the key.