I'm currently testing a new product that was brought to my attention by the owners of a local company, Season Extenders LLC, which is based in Spirit Lake, Idaho.
The Bulb Box was designed to successfully force bulbs to bloom in containers and can also be used to germinate seeds that need extra heat. Forcing bulbs and starting seeds indoors are definitely of interest to me - plus I knew readers would want to know about this - so I am in the process of seeing how well this works.
The Bulb Box consists of a custom-made styrofoam box that is fitted with a thermostat and fan. The thermostat will keep the bulbs from getting too cold as the box is meant to be stored in a garage, shop or covered front porch during the three months it will take them to sprout.
The kit also comes with two wide, shallow pots for planting your choice of bulbs in and spacers so you can stack them inside The Bulb Box. I put the whole set-up in our unheated shop and will let you know how it works.
I planted one of the pots with three layers of bulbs: grape hyacinths, peach-colored hyacinths and purple tulips. I planted the other pot with a lot of those daffodils that have ruffled, split cups. Long ago, I learned that you should really crowd bulbs into pots - or place them "cheek by jowl" as good ol' Roger Swain of "The Victory Garden" used to say.
In the spring, I'm going to test it for sprouting seeds that love extra warmth like tomatoes, peppers and eggplants.
You can check out information on The Bulb Box at www.thebulbbox.com.
