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How to Quell the Urge to Start Seed in January

How to Quell the Urge to Start Seed in January

The desire to start seeds for the spring garden grows strong in January – a least it does for me….
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Quick Tips for Starting an Indoor Herb Garden

Quick Tips for Starting an Indoor Herb Garden

Fresh herbs add a special burst of flavor to any homemade meal. It’s the spicy basil that enlivens pasta dishes;…
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Vegetables to Start from Seed Indoors or Direct Sow

Vegetables to Start from Seed Indoors or Direct Sow

Download Chart Here Use this handy chart to determine which vegetables to start from seed indoors and which to direct…
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Growing Vegetables from Seed: Part 2, How to Start Seeds Indoors

Growing Vegetables from Seed: Part 2, How to Start Seeds Indoors

Read Part 1 here! Starting vegetable seeds indoors is fairly easy to accomplish, even for a beginner gardener.  Expensive seed-starting…
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Recent Posts from The Coop

  • How To Plan a Seed-Saving Garden (Without Losing Your Mind) February 6, 2026
  • How to Turn Winter Garden Dreams Into Real Harvests January 2, 2026
  • SOLD OUT! Winter Sowing for Spring Growing January 1, 2026

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The Coeur d'Alene Coop The Coeur d'Alene Coop is at 2nd Street Chicken Ranch.

5 hours ago

The Coeur d'Alene Coop
Let's talk light as it relates to seed starting. Here, a volunteer sunflower is growing along with a propagated rosemary plant. Note how the sunflower is long, leggy, and stretching for light. That's because the windowsill can't provide enough light, and the plant is heliotropic -- turning and stretching (begging) for light. Then, compare that with the second image: another volunteer sunflower that popped up in onion starts.This seedling germinated under lights and remained there. Note how stocky and vibrant it is.Which do you want to grow?Seedlings need 14 to 16 hours of light each day. Something even a south-facing window can't provide during seed-starting season.🌱 What are the best light options for home seed starters? I cover lights, heat, fertilizers, and much more about seed starting in my class: Seed Starting for the Home Gardener, A Deep DiveSaturday, March 14. 👉 Details & registration here: bit.ly/3Nvn6jBP.S. My soil is located very close to my hen's scratch grains, hence the occasional volunteer sunflower! 😂🌼#thecoeurdalenecoop#seedstarting#heliotropic#growlights ... See MoreSee Less

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thecoeurdalenecoop

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Heirloom tomatoes 🍅🍅
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& Urban chickens! 🐔🐓

Let's talk light as it relates to seed starting. H Let's talk light as it relates to seed starting. Here, a volunteer sunflower is growing along with a propagated rosemary plant. Note how the sunflower is long, leggy, and stretching for light. 

That's because the windowsill can't provide enough light, and the plant is heliotropic -- turning and stretching (begging) for light. 

Then, compare that with the second image: another volunteer sunflower that popped up in onion starts.

This seedling germinated under lights and remained there. Note how stocky and vibrant it is.

Which do you want to grow?

Seedlings need 14 to 16 hours of light each day. Something even a south-facing window can't provide during seed-starting season.

🌱 What are the best light options for home seed starters? I cover lights, heat, fertilizers, and much more about seed starting in my class: 

Seed Starting for the Home Gardener, A Deep Dive
Saturday, March 14. 

👉 Details & registration here: bit.ly/3Nvn6jB

P.S. My soil is located very close to my hen's scratch grains, hence the occasional volunteer sunflower! 😂🌼

#thecoeurdalenecoop
#seedstarting
#heliotropic
#growlights
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