| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 14 2013 : 11:04:13 AM
getting ready to plant soon. I normally start planting seeds for peas and lettuces on Feb.14th. And yes, today I have one 4 foot by 8 foot garden bed ready for seeds.
I assembled and filled a large tower planter today that will hold twenty six strawberry plants. I put that at the end of a four foot by eight foot raised bed that has my raspberry canes in it also/so all my berry plants can be near the same area for easy harvesting.
I have about eight strawberry plants that survived the winter that I will remove from an 8 ft by 4 ft garden bed and put them into the stacking tower planter/replenish soil in the area they were in and sow seeds for veggies in that garden bed...
I am going to take some leftover herb plants out of another 4 foot by 8 foot area and pot them up and add new soil to that raised bed area also this week for sowing beans and
a few other things.
I have a total of 5 eight foot by four foot raised bed garden areas/ plus an 8 foot by eight foot iris bed.
1 garden area houses raspberries and will now have the strawberry tower in it too/1 had herbs but will be converted back to veggies/ and one had strawberries but will be converted back to veggies also. and 1 is a permanent asparagus bed.(yes asparagus can be grown in central Florida..yay!)
Gosh..I am excited about seeing the first seeds sprouting......what about you?
what garden plans do you have this year?
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| mscountrygirl |
Posted - Mar 25 2013 : 10:36:43 AM
I bought this year because of time constraints. So far my plants are nestled in thier raised beds. I made the beds out of cinder blocks and used compost dirt my son "made". Its cold this morning but snow would make me crazy...
It all comes back to the ground!
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| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - Mar 25 2013 : 07:42:53 AM
I have starts coming out of my ears over here in South East-ish PA. Over 90 Cabbages and 60 Broccoli. I started Strawberries for the heck of it and they are still on first leaves and a bit leggy, so I am just going to sprinkle some dirt over them. Leeks are not as happy as some of the others. It is really hard to say if they are leggy or unhappy. The lettuce heads are also doing well, they will need put into larger pots soon. I have run out of room completely on my new light shelves and I am a bit at odd as to if I should purchase another.
---
Farmgirl #2951
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| HodgeLodge |
Posted - Mar 25 2013 : 03:21:15 AM
started some indoor stuff, but nothing outside as we just got snow on the ground last night and expecting a few more inches today. Can't wait to get going though.
Farmgirl #4817-The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion
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| KuntryKlucker |
Posted - Mar 24 2013 : 6:18:04 PM
I have not planted yet but I have started my garden in seed pots in the kitchen.
All plants are coming up and look good. I cannot wait till I can dig in the dirt.
Our spring has been really cold this year, usually we are mid 60's but have been
more like 40's. I have holes dug for plants that I ordered in february, when they arrive
I will put them in the ground. I cannot wait for this year to officially start.
First spring has to get here. Calendar says it has arrived, old man winter has not
go the memo yet.
Give me the simple country life. |
| westfork woman |
Posted - Mar 24 2013 : 5:19:08 PM
It snowed just the other day. This year we started all over again with the garden. Instead of containers, like last year, we have built one raised bed. The corral we are gardening in is on a slope, so the rest will be just one big leveled raised bed, with about 8 to 10 inches of good dirt on top of the rocks we hauled in years ago. It has warmed up enough that today I planted radishes, onion sets, lettuce, and beets. I started seeds inside on Friday. I am trying bottom heat on the seeds this year with a heating pad under a big commercial baking sheet. Hope it works.
Greetings from the morning side of the hill. |
| mscountrygirl |
Posted - Mar 24 2013 : 4:07:16 PM
Every once in a while Lowes surprises me with heirloom stuff. Florida does get dry for sure.
It all comes back to the ground!
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| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Mar 24 2013 : 12:33:05 PM
my daughter picked up some heirloom tomato plant starts the other day from Lowe's...black krim, brandywine and a couple of others..and I couldn't pass up the chocolate mint and orange mint plants..and a few bell pepper starts (yellow and purple bell pepper)
thankfully we had some rain today as it has been so dry around here.
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| CurlysQuilts |
Posted - Feb 26 2013 : 09:18:16 AM
I'm not starting outside yet, but later this week I'm planting my first starts for the garden, once it thaws! This week I'm starting cabbage and broccoli.
Curly's Quilts
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I am a recyclin, home schoolin', home grown, hand sewn kinda farmgirl! |
| Catherine |
Posted - Feb 23 2013 : 07:54:22 AM
I have planted spinach, sugar snap peas, lettuce, and sweet peas in containers and raised beds.
Looking forward to more planting in the next few days!
:)
http://stillroomherbs.blogspot.com
http://lovelivingsimply.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #1801
Judge each day not by the harvest you reap but by the seeds you plant. ~Robert Louis Stevenson
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| LeighErica |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 11:22:49 AM
No planting going on in PA, but last Friday it was unseasonably warm so I pruned back the dead branches on my hydrangea bushes, pulled the dead stalks from my mums and cleaned up my beds a bit. We pulled all of our hostas out around the house this past fall because snakes were hiding under them, and I was scared to weed...and I have to admit...I really don't like hostas in my flower beds. Anyway, I will begin planting new bushes and shrubs in the spring, but no veggie garden this year...moving yet again...so that bed will lie asleep until we return, or if the new tenants want to use it. :( I had so many plans for this property, but I guess it will just have to wait. Sigh, Erica
Farm Girl #2731 |
| nancygene |
Posted - Feb 22 2013 : 08:17:00 AM
Still snow on the ground here in NW Indiana, but according to my planting guide I found on the internet somewhere, I can start some of my indoor seeds on Friday (I also plant by the moon cycles). Woo-hoo, can't wait. I have much to do outside when the weather breaks. Lots of branches need to be picked up around the yard and I had neglected my spice garden quite a bit to take care of our veggie garden (mostly by myself). However, if this year's veggie garden does as well as last year, I will be soooo happy. |
| Bonnie Ellis |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 10:47:37 PM
I love this post because I envy you farmgirls out there who live in a warmer climate. Its been below zero her for some time and snow covers the ground. Outside planting is impossible but I'm thinking about it. Inside it is different. We have an indoor koi pond, orchids, water garden plants and house plants. I will be planting seeds about March indoors for the summer. Enjoy your gardens whenever they happen!
grandmother and orphan farmgirl |
| Tina Michelle |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 7:59:39 PM
Awesome! It is always great fun to read what everyone is up to and to see your wonderful garden photos too. :) absolutely love it.:)
~I Dream of a Better World..where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!~
blogs:http://gardengoose.blogspot.com/
and http://thevictorygardener.blogspot.com
magazine: www.stliving.com
etsy shops: http://GardenGooseGifts.etsy.com
and http://myvictorygarden.etsy.com |
| rubyleesmom |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 5:40:18 PM
We have lettuce and broccoli growing in our garden right now.. We did buy a variety pack of seeds for our summer garden and I have a few different packaged of herbs I'm going to try as well as some Zinnias. Looking forward to getting my hands in the dirt soon! |
| sissarge |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 12:44:20 PM
Kathyrn, tell me what all you put in the barrels, what is your mix of dirt I mean. Seems just like using potting soil is not to good. Would you tell me what mix you use. I have some barrels cut in half also, and would like to try this. Farmgirl #946 Linda |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 12:14:24 PM
Here it is to plant Sweet Peas on Washington's birthday. We have Lettuce in the greenhouse. My Mother always grew Lettuce year-round in a container so she could move it around. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| brightmeadow |
Posted - Feb 20 2013 : 09:38:12 AM
Here in upper Midwest there is fresh snow on the frozen ground. Our pond is really high due to repeated freeze/thaw cycles, I think the drain is plugged with ice. This is a really good thing because last year we had drought.
Anyway, back to your question. I got really cabin-feverish last month and so I started going through old seed packages. I had a rather large bag of beet seeds I did n't plant last year, so on a whim I decided to do a germination test to see if I could plant them this year. I placed 100 seeds on a wet, folded paper towel in a plastic bag and put them on the top of the refrigerator. I had about a 60% germination rate, then I couldn't stand to waste them, so I filled up a seeding flat with dirt and planted each of them in a cell. I put them in a South window but I don't think they are getting enough light, they are really spindly. I am hoping the ground thaws enough in March that I can put them outside (if the cold temps don't kill them). Maybe I can rig up a cold frame. I think beets are supposed to be direct-seeded because of the long taproot so it will be interestng to see what I get. Anyway it is nice to know I can use the rest of the seed outside when the ground warms up, just sow it a little thicker than normal. Or maybe I can just cut the tops of my spindly little plants and use them in a salad.
Normally I am always anxious to start my seeds indoors in February and I have to restrain myself from planting too early. Since we can usually plant warm-weather crops outside on May 15, I start my tomatoes and peppers around March 15. Lettuce and Swiss Chard can be planted outside a little earlier.
One tradition I have always tried to follow is to plant potatoes and peas outside by Saint Patrick's day for the best crop. Problem is that the ground is not always thawed sufficiently by then.
You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands - You shall be happy and it shall be well with you. -Psalm 128.2
Visit my blogs at http://brightmeadowfarms.blogspot.com (farming) http://brightmeadowknits.blogspot.com (knitting) or my homepage at http://home.earthlink.net/~brightmeadow |
| Madelena |
Posted - Feb 18 2013 : 06:25:46 AM
Beds are ready to go. And this year I need fencing for our new rescue greyhound who thinks the garden is his personal dirt pile. Dig, Dig, Dig. He has a moat almost done around our shed!!
Seems I can't grow seedlings in the house -- they all damp off. Same for house plants.. they just don't like me. Cacti.. they do. Even African Violets. Everything else started indoors is a bust. Outside, I can grow most anything from seed.
I love sitting in the grass and watching the little seedlings just breaking the soil surface. I can imagine how God felt to see His creations coming to fruition. New Life.. such an awesome moment. Okay, perhaps I am the only one that feels that way. But it's a great moment. LIke watching a baby chick peck out of its shell.
Beds are prepared and ready. Temps in Cen-TX can range be from the 30s at nite with a wind chill in the 20's and reach mid 70's during the day. What a roller coaster. February. Still the chance of an ice storm. Go figure. Makes me awfully caution to put summer veggies yet.
"There is no unbelief: Whoever plants a seed beneath the sod and waits to see it push away the clod, he trusts in God." (Kate Douglas Wiggin) |
| Pasthyme |
Posted - Feb 18 2013 : 04:03:01 AM
Indooors started tomatoes, cukes, banana peppers, basil, chives. They are up under a florescent light fixture. Will start more as time permits.
Outdoors in cold frame I put some radishes, lettuce, spinach, kale, collards. Some of them are just now coming up. I recently made the cold frame with cinder blocks (2 high) filled with compost soil. I bought a clear shower curtain and put that over it held down with rocks. Not exactly the way a cold frame is supposed to be made, but it seems to work to get a jump on the season. I'll use it as a raised bed planter when it gets warm. I cleaned the hoop house yesterday--the sun was shining nice and warm. I have black garbage cans in there--cut in half and filled with composted soil. I planted some spinach, lettuce, and mustard. My garden is all raised beds because we have very rocky soil.
Can't wait to be eating this stuff!
www.thealteredego.webs.com |
| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 1:42:11 PM
We have started some seeds with more to come. Inside and outside in the cold frame.
  
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| ceejay48 |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 1:30:05 PM
We do put down black plastic in our garden, have for years and yes, it does help warm the soil, keep down weeds and keep moisture in. Yes, it does help a lot.
CJ
..from the barefoot farmgirl in SW Colorado...sister chick #665.
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| Katlady93 |
Posted - Feb 17 2013 : 11:24:19 AM
same here, nothing will go outside for a while yet. Mid to Late May. and then it is iffy
Some dreams are worth the risk it takes to make them real.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footsteps on the moon. |
| HodgeLodge |
Posted - Feb 16 2013 : 1:24:11 PM
I have started my seeds, most are for a June 8 herb sale, and a few for me. I will be planting seeds weekly from now till time to plant outside.
Farmgirl #4817-The greatest gift of the garden is the restoration of the five senses. ~Hanna Rion
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hodge-Lodge-Clothesline/285366378259342
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| Marybeth |
Posted - Feb 16 2013 : 11:15:33 AM
I just started some seeds yesterday. Bob made a cold frame and then a warming tray, but I am starting seeds indoors first. Last year we started stuff in the cold frame and it worked great and then when we transplanted we put them in the green house. Not much goes in the ground (seeds) til May at least. But it is all fun. MB
http://www.smallcityscenes.blogspot.com
www.day4plus.blogspot.com
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!" |
| Betty J. |
Posted - Feb 16 2013 : 08:33:55 AM
CJ, try putting black tarps over your garden area to warm the soil and then cover them after the soil has warmed. It's a lot of work, but well worth it.
Betty in Pasco |
