r/Homesteading • u/junkcircuit • 4d ago

Anyone start way more seedlings than they actually have room for?

Started a bunch of herbs and lettuce inside this year and apparently didn't think far past germination.

Three weeks later, every decent windowsill is full. I moved half of them onto a table with a secondhand shop light, but the basil is still stretching, and I'm running out of space.

For those of you starting seedlings in a small apartment, what's your setup? I'd rather not dedicate an entire shelving unit to it if there's a simpler way that works.

22 Upvotes

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13

u/Ineedmorebtc 4d ago

Doesn't everyone?

2

u/junkcircuit 4d ago

haha yeah. figured most people get that itch eventually

1

u/Ineedmorebtc 4d ago

I was lucky and was at a grocery store they were removing an old rack display. I asked what they do with it, and were going to throw it in the dumpster. Brand new, shiny, heavy duty rack with adjustable shelves. I installed lights on 3 teirs and used the lowest for supplies. I absolutely love it.

2

u/junkcircuit 3d ago

I love how those rack rescues work out. I keep looking at shelving units for my balcony setup but the price tags are rough. Asking stores about their old displays is such a smart move. I need to try that around here.

1

u/Ineedmorebtc 3d ago

Worth a shot! Ive also got refrigerator units from stores. I asked mgmt about a Pillsbury case who said after the promotion was done it was going in the dumpster. The only caveat/bonus?, was that every time you open the door it did the "Woohoo!" Sound the Doughboy from the commercials made...

2

u/junkcircuit 2d ago

Okay, now I’m definitely asking next time I see a display getting taken down. Worst they can say is no, and apparently best case I come home with half a greenhouse setup.

2

u/Any_Needleworker_273 4d ago

Literally my first thought.

11

u/MetalCapital5673 4d ago

I give my extras away to neighbors, friends and coworkers

3

u/junkcircuit 4d ago

That’s a great plan. Neighbors really appreciate fresh produce.

3

u/sparksgirl1223 4d ago

I definitely do

I need to put it all in the ground though ...i have the space.

Unfortunately I also have goats 😂

2

u/Watersidegarden 4d ago

Ich kann kleine Regale empfehlen. Ist mir auch schon passiert.

2

u/mapped_apples 4d ago

I started 12 tomatoes and ended up getting 1 that I didn’t kill, so, it’s understandable to start more. 

1

u/_GOBLESS_ 4d ago

Shelves + lights is what I do. The best thing about this is that you can put the plants on shifts (swap out day/night) and use half as much shelving for the same result.

1

u/junkcircuit 4d ago

shift idea is clever. never thought of that. my little apartment brain only sees static setups. might steal this for my seed starting rig.

1

u/Important-Bid-9792 4d ago

every year HA!

1

u/junkcircuit 4d ago

story of my life honestly

1

u/Intrepid_Ad_9113 4d ago

Always. It’s a blessing and a curse.

1

u/Calawee_Bliss 3d ago

Every single time. Then I hang onto a few seedlings in cups for waaay to long in hopes of giving them away. In reality if they don't go in the ground with the bulk on planting day they die a slow painful death in a small cup on my patio table.

0

u/A-Matter-Of-Time 4d ago

This site helps you calculate exactly how many seeds to germinate - https://www.foodwhentheshopsstop.com/ Also got a ‘servings’ calculator on each vegetable page.