The only reason not to do it is if you have critters that will eat the seeds. This is how I start the seeds for my hydroponic system (only using rockwool instead of peat), and this year I was puzzled because I was having such poor luck, with a large dead zone in the center of the tray, and only random seedlings around the outside.

Then one night I was out there and discovered an enormous Cuban tree frog lounging happily on the nice damp sofa made by the rockwool, reaching all around to dig out everything at all spicy that I had planted and squashing all the poor just-up seedlings under the center area where he was lying.

So yes, this is a good idea if you have some way to protect them, especially at night when everyone goes foraging.

ETA Not the plastic, something like screening that will let the air circulate. I've thought about getting one of those metal screen covers for picnic food for next season.

I agree that more protection may be needed, depending on where you live. I've never had problems before, but currently have Carolina wrens hanging about my courtyard, so I won't be putting any unprotected seeds out there anytime soon.

In the future, save yourself some money by using toilet paper rolls instead of peat pots. I put mine in those little blue plastic trays you get mushrooms in, but I also use the bottoms cut off of gallon milk jugs or anything else with taller sides that will hold them in place.

I love the little jiffy greenhouse. I think too much sun will heat up the greenhouse with the top on and dry it if it's off. I have been starting seeds in the tray, lid on in bright shade in the lanai. This has worked well for me.

saw these at walmart marked down to $2

Hi Christopher

You can start seeds in anything, recycled materials, cups, etc. It is more important to worry about the timing of the seedlings to plant. I start my seedlings in cups and put them in open plastic bins and I don't have any problem, I leave them in the porch with morning sun afternoon shade. Most of my seeds are started right in the garden.

What are you planning to start? soon it will be hot in Central Florida...

Silvia

Seminole Pumpkins, Everglades Tomatoes, Moringa Trees, and a variety of native Florida wildflowers.

Might do some beans and cucumbers as well but I'm interested in relatively low maintenance gardening.

I would start the seminole pumpkins straight in the garden, they grow fast, Everglades tomatoes will do fine in the jiffy pots, the Moringa will be better if you can get a cutting.

Beans are best planted straight in the garden and cucumbers also but they are high maintenance. My pole beans and cucumbers are already producing in my garden.

I thought about starting all the vines in the ground but I'm worried about the sprinklers nuking the plant sites.

My parents actually have Moringa Trees that I'll probably get cuttings from. Will just be fun to start some seeds.

I started my Seminole pumpkins in cups last year and transplanted, and they grew very well. I don't think you could nuke them if you wanted, though. When I had my 5 acre farm, I watered my 1/4 acre veggie garden with overhead Rainbird sprinklers, and nothing ever got nuked. I'd start smaller seeds in the peat pots and larger seeds in the ground. Seminole pumpkins grew wild in FL (may still in the Everglades), so not much chance of hurting those seedlings.