STARTING SEEDS USING THE PARK SEED BIO DOME

A visitor has emailed "Ask Success with Seed" and asked for directions on just how to use a Park’s Bio Dome seed-starting system. She found the Bio Dome, minus the inserts, while cleaning out her dad’s garage. She remembers him using it several years ago for starting his tomato, pepper, and squash plants for his garden. I found these useful directions archived in an old Park Newsletter:

Here's how to use the Bio Dome:

1. Soak the bio-sponges (plug-shaped growth medium that keeps seeds aerated and roots growing down and out, not round and round!) in lukewarm water for 15 minutes or more.

2. Drop one or two seeds into the pre-drilled hole at the top of each bio-sponge, and place the sponge into its hole in the foam planting block.

3. When the entire planting block is sown, place the clear humidity dome over the top of the plastic base and set your dome wherever you like to begin your garden (top of the fridge, counter, basement, etc.). If you're using heat mats or grow lights, you'll find that the Bio Dome is just the right size for most models.

4. When green shoots appear, begin watering them from the base of the tray, mixing a little of Park's seedling food (free with your Bio Dome) into the water. Because the block floats, you can never over-water your tender seedlings.

5. Adjust the two vents at the top of the dome whenever your seedlings need more or less humidity and air circulation. In time, you can prop the whole dome open and eventually remove it, acclimatizing your growing plants to the surrounding environment.

6. When it's time to transplant, just lift up the whole planting block and, using a finger or pencil, gently slide the bio-sponges out. You'll see big, healthy roots growing out of the bottom of the sponge -- just waiting for your garden soil or container! Plant the seedling, sponge and all.

7. Wash out the Bio Dome and begin another crop! The Bio Dome and planting block will last for many, many years -- all you need replace is the economical bio-sponges! You'll wonder why you ever used anything else!

This seed-starting system just goes on for years. The bio-sponges are available from Park Seed. Our emailer can send for refills, clean up her dad’s system, and get growing. How easy is that?

---Posted by Anne K Moore, February 13, 2008---