Pre-Sprouting Carrot Seeds Experiment: Is it an Option at our Appalachian Homestead?

Pre-Sprouting Carrot Seeds Experiment: Is it an Option at our Appalachian Homestead?

Last updated:  May 10, 2025

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Join Bren at the Homestead as she tackles a common gardening challenge—germinating carrot seeds in the windy, sloped, and rainy Appalachian Mountains! In this experiment, Bren tries pre-sprouting carrot seeds using petri dishes and using a microscope for close-up views. Will this method solve her carrot germination woes? Stay tuned for a follow-up video to see the results!

Pale green potting mat
This is the same mat I used in the video, just a different color. I'm guessing the blue color is no longer available.
Green potting mat
I also have this mat and it is equally nice.
Petri dishes
These are the petri dishes I used. They are plastic.
Microscope
The microscope in the video is no longer available. I also own this one and it is nicer than the one in the video
Workbench table
This is the workbench I use. It is awesome! My husband also has one in his workshop. It is extremely solid and easy to move around. Highly recommended!
Pre-Sprouting Carrot Seeds - Will it Work at our Homestead?
Watch on Rumble
Pre-Sprouting Carrot Seeds - Will it Work at our Homestead?
Watch on X
Organic Garden Mix Soil
Highly recommend this soil.
Moisture Potting Soil
This is also a really good potting soil.
Plant markers
You will probably only get a season out of these, but very reasonably priced.
How to Grow More Vegetables book
Good Basic Book on Growing Vegetables. It gives direct information without a lot of "fluff".
New Organic Grower Book
Coleman is one of my favorite authors on gardening. This is a "must have" for any gardener.
Thank you so much for your support!

We are full time homesteaders at Pioneer Mountain Homestead in the Appalachian Mountains of south-central Pennsylvania.   We have a sawmill, produce garden, honeybees, layer hens, laying ducks, pigs, and goats. We provide boat and camper storage to nearby visitors of Raystown Lake and sell firewood and lumber in south central Pennsylvania.  Our journey is to be as self-reliant as we can be; to live as much as we can from the resources we have at hand; to effectively be productive with as minimal environmental impact as possible; to raise food in an organic manner; and to give back to our community through education or demonstration. We are always learning, as well. Life is always an adventure! We enjoy learning from others and seeing what other people are doing as well.  – Bren and Chuck

Pioneer Mountain Homestead
16477 Sharman Lane
James Creek, PA 16657
814-505-6426
"Embracing Everything Farm and Forest"

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Copyright 2025 Pioneer Mountain Homestead LLC

Disclosure of Material Connection:  Some of the links in this page or post may be “affiliate links”.  This means that if you click on the link, Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC may receive an affiliate commission at no direct cost to you.   Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC only recommends products or services that the owners, managers, or employees of Pioneer Mountain Homestead, LLC use or believe will add value to the readers of this website.  This disclosure is made with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”