Working Those Seedlings

Good morning from Indy!

I am working to make my little seedling survive and get stronger.  I did a little research the past couple days.  I do understand that I'm missing a few steps or just doing some things wrong, and my reading confirmed that.
I picked up some knowledge from the great Indiana Organic Gardeners Association's quarterly news letter (thank you, fellow IOGA members!) and some Youtube videos.

I was due to give the seedlings a little fertilizer to help with root growth.  So I picked up some water soluble 3-10-3 fertilizer at Habig's on College Ave.  I mixed this up and poured it in the bottom of the seed trays.
I also discovered that I was watering my seedlings wrong.  I was watering them from the top and I should be watering them from the bottom by adding water to the seed flat tray.  I knew this but I just didn't do it.  Doing
it this way will reduce the chances of mold and mildew.  Smart, huh?

I also remembered a tip from my good friend Matt Wellin.  He told me a couple months ago to put a fan on the seedlings.  It will help strengthen the plants.  So I added an oscillating fan at the lowest speed in "The Blue."

Saturday, I started bring the flats outside late in the day.  I am starting to harden off these little guys, well the ones that survive.  I left them out overnight last night.  I won't leave them out overnight again the rest of the week, though.  It's supposed to get down in the low 40's or high 30's the rest of the week.  They are back down in the basement now, doing well, I hope.

I hope these steps will help my tomatoes, peppers and herbs get bigger and stronger!

Back to work!