From: cshenk@virginia-beach.com   
      
   Nyssa wrote:   
      
   > Carol wrote:   
   >   
   > > Ok, last year got a lot of sprouts then a final cold snap   
   > > hit late out of season just as I put them out.   
   > >   
   > > They also didn't grow much as I had them over planted in   
   > > the containers so I've been collecting things about the   
   > > house that will do for bigger ones.   
   > >   
   > > I also picked up a grow light with 2 arms that twist all   
   > > about and a 4 pack of heater mats with individual temp   
   > > control.   
   > >   
   > > Anyone know how high seedlings should be, before   
   > > transplant?  Bell   
   > > Peppers mostly.  I'm in Virginia Beach, Zone 7A I think it   
   > > is.   
   >   
   > Hi, Carol~~~~~   
      
   Hey there!   
      
   > I usually drag my plant lights out at the end of January/   
   > beginning of February, but only start the cool weather   
   > seeds at that time. Lettuce, onions, etc.   
      
   The sunroom ceiling is all phlorescents (sp?).  Not strong ones but   
   they work.  The room is only heated with a space heater (cooled with a   
   portable A/C).  Too expensive to heat in winter so gets closed off   
   then.  That's why the heater mats.  It stays above freezing but plan to   
   start the warm weater folks 1 March or so, or heat the room a bit to at   
   least 50F (with heat mats as well).   
      
   I do have an interior room with a unique once 'entertainment' stand for   
   the old big tube TVs that became a fishtank holder, now empty.  I want   
   to checkout the [lant light and if it works well, I'll get 4 more for   
   it.  One for the TV base and one for on top shelf.  That room was a   
   garage but we enclosed it with french doors to a family room.  It's on   
   the central A/C and heat.   
      
   > I wait until around the end of February to start the warm   
   > weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, etc.   
   > Six to eight weeks before time to transplant them outside.   
      
   Sounds good!   
      
   >   
   > Two reasons: 1) limited space even when I use two plant   
   > lights and 2) I don't want the plants getting too leggy   
   > when using the lights.   
   >   
   > Figure that getting the plants up to ~four inches or   
   > so before setting them outside, although towards that   
   > time I will set the flat of plants out on the deck for   
   > a few hours of real sunshine when weather permits to   
   > help them get used to being in the real world. ;)   
   >   
   > As Songbird noted, the temperature must be at least   
   > 55F consistantly before transplanting the warm weather   
   > goodies.   
      
   That's where it's awkward here.  Late cold snap in May got me last   
   time.  Dropped to 34F at night with windchill below it.  Poof, lost   
   half of it.   
      
   > Another thing to keep in mind, especially down at VB   
   > is the wind. Strong winds can wipe out plants just   
   > as well as a cold snap. When in doubt, protect the   
   > newbies on windy days with some sort of barrier such   
   > as a piece of cardboard or other blocker to keep   
   > the plants upright and happy.   
      
   I have them in fairly protected spots.   
      
   >   
   > More snow coming later today and tomorrow morning. Since   
   > we're only 90 miles apart, you'll be getting some of   
   > that too, I bet.   
      
   Yup.  2-4 inches.  Some spots more but melt off will be fast, might be   
   gone by Sunday?   
      
      
   >   
   > Nyssa, who still has some snow on the ground from last   
   > weekend's snow dump   
      
   Missed me with that one!   
      
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