| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 10:41:37 PM
Tonight I finally got the rest of my tomoato and pepper seeds started. I am sure I am not completly, but had fun. I got 48 peat pellet "plugs" planted with 5 types of tomatoes (Ferris Wheel, Bloody Butcher, Egg, Marglobe and Yellow Pear) and a big flat of 3 types of peppers...to divide into bigger pots later. (Anaheim, Red Marconi and Calif Wonder Bell Peppers) My youngest daughter planted 4 little pots of forget me not seeds that she had. Now if I can keep the darn cat from laying on top of the plants I will have seedlings soon!! My garden spot is still covered in snow..darn it. I wanted to get the seedlings all going two weeks ago..but I think I am still fine. CAn't put them out for quite some time anyhow...at least Mothers day..maybe May first with Wall o Waters..but I sure don't have enough of those!! I am in the planning and seed collecting part of gardening for now. How fun!! It was nice to get my fingernails dirty!
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| 17 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Rosemary |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 1:41:11 PM
Dawn, I never thought of using a fan to harden off seedlings while they're still indoors, as an alternative to the whole cold frame business, which has always struck me as too complicated unless you're rich and can have those frames that automatically open and close with changes in the temperature. How do you set up the fan? Does it blow right on the plants? Do you start far away and move it in gradually? Do tell! |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 08:41:59 AM
I've got a bunch of flower seeds starting in peat pellets. Poppies, calendula, foxgloves, bee balm, and something else that I can't remember right now. I've got them on a small table pulled up close to the dining room window for the light. If they seem to need more light, I may try some of those flourescent bulbs.
My friend, who has amazing gardens, starts all her seeds outside. She just tosses them into milk jugs and whatever else will hold dirt and lets them fend for themselves on the porch and around the foundation. Her theory is that if some of the seeds need to be frozen before germinating, those will get taken care of. I try to remember her example when I start to fuss over my seeds! |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 08:36:26 AM
This is going to sound silly, but my seeds are doing quite well (I've never made it this far with them, see) so what now? I mean, do I just let them keep going until our last frost date and then stick em in the ground? My seed packages do not give me such guidance, so any help from you experts would be much appreciated:
I have from seed, boretania onions, hyssop, bee balm, german chamomile and cockscomb.
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 07:43:11 AM
My tomato plants are doing great. Their stems are nice and thick too. I started marigolds and zinnias last Thursday and they're already up high enough to touch the lid of their container! Once they are a bit taller, I'll put my fan on all of them to start hardening them up. It's been a cool spring here, but I have high hopes that everything will be planted by next month in the ground!
Dawn in IL |
| lisamarie508 |
Posted - Apr 09 2008 : 06:56:42 AM
Carrie, a light plastic covering or old bed sheet should protect your peas and other cool-weather crops from snow and too cold temps. Peas and lettuce and such can handle temps down to about 28 without covering.
I have all of my seedlings in every window sill that gets ANY sun. The ones in windows that get the least, I have those cheap stick-up flourescent lights hanging over them. I use heavy cotton string tied to cuphooks at the top of the window. Works really well. Leggy tomatoes are an easy fix by simply transplanting them deeper, up to their necks. Roots will form all along the stem giving you an extremely strong and healthy (but short) plant that will bound back big time!
I never thought about using tp rolls or paper towel rolls either. What a great idea!
Farmgirl Sister #35
"If you can not do great things, do small things in a great way." Napoleon Hill (1883-1970)
my blog: http://lisamariesbasketry.blogspot.com/
My Website:
http://www.freewebs.com/lisamariesbasketry/index.htm |
| Carrie W |
Posted - Apr 08 2008 : 4:40:56 PM
My milk jug greenhouses are working wonderfully! Most things are up and doing well. I'm still waiting on eggplant. Are they slow starters?? The weather has been sooooo nice her this week and I just want to plant things!!! I've got some peas on the ground in a protected area and hope they dont' get snowed on. We've gotten hit as late as the end of May so I'm worried.
carrie
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
| Carrie W |
Posted - Mar 11 2008 : 1:22:59 PM
Sharon-
I think that BAker seeds has brandywine heirlooms. They are online so you can check them out or request a catalog. Great resource!!
I am trying a new form of seed started that I got from the YouGrowGirl website--starter soil in toilet tissue tubes (some cut in half for shorter rooted plants and some left whole for taproots) then I'm placing them in a cut off milk jug with a plastic clear bag over for a mini green house effect. they say it works well so I'll give it a try. then I don't need to worry about them drying out all the time or getting eaten by fuzz ball.
I'll let you know how they work. Check out that website--its fun!
cArrie m
www.totallykadeshfarm.blogspot.com
Farmgirl Sisterhood #147
Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping--Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing |
| sleepless reader |
Posted - Mar 06 2008 : 10:25:37 AM
I need to get tomatoes started. I can never find the ones I want (like brandywines) because the stores sell them now and I can't plant until after Mother's Day! My peas are up and showing their happy little green leaves.
Sharon
Farmgirl Sister #74
Life is messy. Wear your apron! |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 2:18:44 PM
I sit mine on a narrow table in front of my giant south facing picture window in the living room. It is more than sunny enough there...works great. The only window I have that would work for sure.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| ddmashayekhi |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 11:45:31 AM
I started my tomato seeds yesterday! It was wonderful to get some dirt in my nails at last. It's been a very long winter here. There is still lots of ice and snow banks in the yard, but spring is in my basement at least.
Dawn in IL |
| Annika |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 09:38:14 AM
I'm setting up a plant shelf and getting some light strip as soon as I can. Can't wait to get my early starts started
Annika
Farmgirl sister #13
Mud Hen Queen
http://innermountainmudhens.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoon.wordpress.com/
http://panzymoonsgarden.blogspot.com/ |
| herbquilter |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 09:18:16 AM
We're starting seeds on monday & planting peas too.
Walmart has garden light strips with a bulb for about $10, that's what we use.
Good to get some dirt under your fingernails.
Blessings,
Kristine ~ Mother of Many & Herbalist
www.herbalmomma.com
Farmgirl Sister #97
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| nubidane |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 06:12:55 AM
Just use a commercial light where the bulb is not too strong or you could burn the plants. I actually used a small clip on desk lamp with the weakest bulb possible, and rotate the plants a few times a day. I think ideally you would want a long thin flourescent light. I was being extra cheap though, and that clip on was only like 5 bucks, the others were much more. |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 06:07:56 AM
What do you mean by cool light, Lisa? I put them on the window sill in the back study because all of our other windows have the old metal awnings and that room gets sun all day. Plus, the sills are too shallow for the cats :)
Hey, I got your message--thanks so much--you know us too well, we were out hiking about with our wellies on. The dogs were MUDDY! But, it's always fun. I will probably give you a call on Sunday because Saturday we're going to Bee Keeping School in Frankfort (yay!!!)
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| nubidane |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 05:59:33 AM
Jonni
Plants get leggy when they don't have enough light. They are stretching to try to get to the light. (OK that kinda sounded religious) I always had that problem too, but last year I kept a cool light on them fairly close & they did much better |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Mar 05 2008 : 05:47:06 AM
Jenny, I'm envious! I always have trouble starting seeds. They sprout just fine, but then they get "leggy" and then caput.
What's your secret?
Farmgirl Sister #80, thanks to a very special farmgirl from the Bluegrass..."She was built like a watch, a study in balance ... with a neck and head so refined, like a drawing by DaVinci"...
NY Newsday sportswriter Bill Nack describing filly, Ruffian.
http://www.buyhandmade.org/ |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Mar 04 2008 : 11:05:07 PM
it's always so fun to et dirt under the nails..ha.
hoping everything grows real well for you and that the cat doesn't think you have planted catnip for him/her.
~Seize the Day! Live, Love, Laugh~
visit me at:
http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and at www.stliving.net
you can also check out my etsy shops at:http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com |
