I’ve built a kind of seedling Guantanamo which I’ve dubbed the “GerminatorImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
.” Why? Two reasons:
1. Damn squirrels and chickens. Both have gotten into my seedling flats in the past and wreaked havoc. This is why the GerminatorImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view., for most of the year, has a wire mesh top. That wire mesh also takes down the harsh Southern California sun a notch so the flats don’t dry out.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
2. During the cooler spring season, I can trade out the wire mesh for a translucent plastic top and I’ll have a cold frame. Last year my tomato seeds failed to germinate due to cold weather. I’ve vowed not to let that happen next year.
I’m going to trick out the hinged top of the GerminatorImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. during the cool months with a Univent Greenhouse Automatic Vent Opener, a gadget that promises to automatically open and close the top. The Univent requires no batteries or power and aims to maintain a temperature range between 62-73 F. Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
We’ll review the Univent when we try it next year.
So far the GerminatorImage may be NSFW.
Clik here to view. has worked well, providing a safe haven for our winter seedlings: artichoke, spigarello broccoli, nettles, sweet peas, white sage, Italian dandelion, chard and more. We could sow directly in the ground but, due to construction of our new garden infrastructure, starting seedlings in flats allowed me to get going ahead of time.
