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Garden Gate:  Starting some seedlings!  |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
 Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 07:43:41 AM
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Last night I bought one of those "greenhouses" from Walmart- you know the ones where they have the peat pellets and a clear top to start your seeds in?
Nora and I started some eggplant, radishes (might be a crop that grows 100% indoors! LOL) and carrots. As soon as these have gotten past the initial seedling stage I am going to bring in some window planters that I have outside and transition plant them in those so that we can reuse the seedling starter again. I am excited and I can tell Nora is too!
We have some BIG plans for this summer! I am going to expand my garden and do it RIGHT this time! Hmm- now that I live so much closer to my family- maybe I can coax some of my family to come over and help....
I also remember something from Mother Earth news about incorporating charcoal in the soil and how that can drastically increase productivity. Anyway I am going to try to do a bit of everything.
Here is the plan:
As soon as I can, I am going to dig over the whole garden to a depth of about 12-18 inches. I am going to see if I can get the city to allow me to burn some branch clippings that have been hanging out in my yard from previous tenants. I also am going to incorporate horse manure. For the top layer I am going to layer newspapers and on top of THAT I am going to lay down black weed paper.
During planting time I am going to use some nails and string to try and get my lines as straight as possible when I am planting- It makes it easier for weed control.
After the plants have been planted and are established I am going to get some sort of mulch to cover the black fabric. I am going to invest in a timer so that my garden will get watered regularly and for just the right amount of time.
I am going to try to plant as much as I can that can be stored long term- like carrots and those things that can well- like tomatoes. I really am hoping that this garden will help convince my husband that a garden can make a huge difference towards feeding this family- and every dollar that we can use to pay off debt is HUGE!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
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asnedecor
True Blue Farmgirl
1054 Posts
Anne
Portland
Or
USA
1054 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 10:55:14 AM
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Wow - you are ambitious. Makes me want to go out and plant now :) I do have a cold frame out in the back and have crisp head lettuce and spinach starting to come up. I too purchased some of the peat disks and am going to soak those to start some tomatoes. These two will go out in the cold frame and maybe a cucumber or two. This is the second year I have had this - last year it was just lettuce, both leaf and bib lettuce that I got a jump on. This year I am venturing further. Also this is the second year I have really gotten my composter working up to full speed - just took me ten years - but hey better late then never right? :)
Anne in Portland, OR
"Weeds are flowers too, once you get to know them" Eyeore from Winnie the Pooh
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Edited by - asnedecor on Feb 14 2010 10:56:05 AM |
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Laur
Farmgirl in Training
32 Posts
Laurie
Boonville
MO
32 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 10:58:30 AM
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Hi, you are so enthusiastic and you make me smile!
Raised bed/square foot/biointensive gardening is a wonderful way to garden, check out Bountiful Gardensand Ecology Actions websites and Johns Jeavons book, How to grow more Vegetables, there is a lot of good stuff there for soil fertility!N,P,K, the essentials for growing will be explained(like your wanting to incorporate ashes),how to raise an abundance from less space. It works great with little people. My kids when they were little each had their own bed. Mulching and weed control, watering, is so much easier too...
I have never started radishes or carrots inside here. We usually can eat radishes about 25 days after planting. Johnny's Seeds carries some wonderful carrot varieties if you are serious about carrots...they have good cultural tips in their catalog too! Happy Gardening !!!
Radishes grow fast and don't know how they will do with those little peat pellets, carrots take a long time to germinate by compare.I have only planted them in real dirt. But I have sprouted radishes as sprouts.
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 12:40:39 PM
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Anne- that is great!
I have a green house that I haven't gotten set up at this house yet. I am hoping to be able to do that this year though- however I am starting to look at Real Estate so if it looks like a move might be in our future- probably not going to worry about getting it set up until we get settled.
I think the radishes will be fine. I have a couple planters with real garden soil in them so all I need to do is incorporate some of that with some organic potting soil- I have seen them grown in such a fashion before very successfully.
As far as the carrots- I have grown them before but never started them inside. I think that I should be able to get them started in the pellets and as long as I putt the netting apart on the bottom of the pellet before I plant them, I think they will grow well.
Nora was so excited to help plant- I can't wait until she sees them growing and sprouting. The Radishes are going to be great for that!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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DaisyFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
1646 Posts
Diane
Victoria
BC
Canada
1646 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 2:05:10 PM
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Doesn't it feel fabulous to play in the dirt again?!!? I brought up a bunch of flats to the house today and have 100 mixed lettuces planted for the greenhouse and a flat of sweetpeas. Loving every minute of it!
I actually played around and think I've mastered that wooden gizmo that's been sitting on my planting bench...the one that makes the newspaper pots. It works great, I should have used it before! I started the sweetpeas in them.
My dd and I made the mistake of walking through the garden dept. the other day so I have a bunch of perennials to start now too! Oh darn...haha.
Di |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 14 2010 : 3:18:56 PM
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LOL! I need to get to work on making some newspaper pots! I bet I could do that at my desk at work while I wait for calls. I have this great shelf and I am thinking of re-arranging my lving room to put it at best angle for getting what light we do get I also have my terreriam that is empty as of now for an additional "green house" for seedlings... hmmm... I could get my whole garden sprouted and growing indoors...I am thinking mid to late April for planting and I might buy some plastic sheeting still to make a temp. cold frame for the plants even still!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 17 2010 : 07:34:28 AM
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I officially have seedlings! The radishes went from nothing but a fuzzy initial root last night to two inch seedlings this morning! The leaves and Nora is THRILLED! She is so excited! Looks like I am re-arranging the living room on Wednesday! Now we need some sunlight! I am so excited! I guess I better bring in my window box things and my pot that has garden dirt in it. Luckily we are experiencing a huge thaw as well so I might be able to get some more garden dirt- that would be great- I don't want to have to buy to much potting mix! Soon the eggplant and the carrots will be sprouting up! YAY! Looks like this will be a great spring!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2010 : 07:07:24 AM
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how fun for you and Nora, i too have the garden bug. i put my smaller garden together a couple days ago. ready to plant. got the heater up and running in the greenhouse. with help from a friend. i hear geese overhead as i type. they are knowing it is spring. i am so ready. kris glad you are drying out a bit. all the wet snow and rain and mud you had. i am going to plant my cool crops. lettuce cabbage etc. what fun on the farm sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farmgirl #1014
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2010 : 08:12:32 AM
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The carrots are finally sprouting- yesterday I saw the first baby rootlings coming out of the seed coat- in the next couple days we will have seedlings.
The turnips are about ready to be planted in soil- I need to get some set up on Sunday for them! I am so excited for this first bit of spring gardening! We have such a short growing time here in Montana that any head start is good! :D I can't hardly believe that February is almost over!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Feb 19 2010 : 08:27:18 AM
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Isn't it exciting when we start seeing those little green seedlings. In the greenhouse I have spinach, lettuce, kohlrabi, radishes, peas, cabbage, kale, green onions and turnips all coming up. I go out there 3 times a day just to see if anything else has popped up! Yesterday I filled the cell trays and put them on the hot bed to start warming and today the tomatos and peppers will be started- woo hoo!!!!!! I would love to have more plants in the house but the cat eats them all, so the only thing I have growing in the house now is peas and that is because she hasn't found them yet!
Lillian |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2010 : 08:04:06 AM
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Hi Alee,
I have those greenhouse trays too. I just posted about my spinach - I have sprouts but I want to make sure I get them to the seedling stage without a grow light. I wonder if a regular clamp-on desk lamp, aimed at the tray, would get enough light to them....Hmmmmmm
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2010 : 08:26:30 AM
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Kimberly- my Turnip seedlings really sprouted up fast and grew too tall because I didn't have enough light. I went and got a plant light and it seems to have helped- the other turnip seedlings aren't getting as leggy. I would keep a light on them if they can't be in a bright window. I am going to have to replant some of my turnips because of this. But I think my carrots should be fine since they didn't sprout until after I got the light on them.
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2010 : 08:38:21 AM
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I'm going to have to buy my pepper, tomato and eggplant starts at the farmers market come spring...my cats won't stay out of my seedling and try to eat everything ...maybe I'll get some hot pepper spray  But I'm planning a fair sized garden even though water is gonna be tight. We DO have all year spring in our pasture so I can fill up buckets =)
Can you tell I'm ready to garden...and it's still February!
Can't wait to go out and get muddy  
I am so happy that you and Nora are having so much fun!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. ~Leonardo DaVinci
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Feb 23 2010 : 10:21:35 AM
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Annika,
My cat his own plants and he loved them. He had 2 different kinds of cat nip and some kitty greens, wheat and rye grass I think. He would trim his plants regularly and he didn't really bother the other plants much, occasionally he would get in the aloe vera, but I figured he needed it for some reason.
Kathy |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2010 : 05:48:17 AM
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Alee, I went to Lowe's yesterday and got 4 of the little greenhouse seed trays and found some heirloom tomatoe seeds. I am going to get them all going today. And I found some organic spinach and lettuce, too. I have a cold frame outside that needs cleaning up. I got some organic peat moss and I will plant the spinach and lettuce in there in a few days. We may get some snow flurries the next few days. So I might need to wait on the outside stuff.
Sounds like everyone's busy. I love this time of year when we can start little seeds for our future groceries!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Ms.Lilly
True Blue Farmgirl
826 Posts
Lillian
Scotts Mills
OR
USA
826 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2010 : 06:54:33 AM
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Kimberly Ann- a regullar lamp should do just fine just make sure you use a flourescent bulb. I just use 4 foot shop lights in my greenhouse and my tomatos are over 2 feet tall and have buds on them each year when I transplant them.
Lillian |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2010 : 07:30:56 AM
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My spinach seedlings are already about 2 inches long. I wonder if they are too leggy already. I'm picking up the florescent bulb and clamp lamp today but I'd hate to have to start over with new seeds.
Kimberly Ann
Farmgirl Sister #225
Crochet Geek, Newbie Fiddler, Would-be Farmer, Backyard Chicken Rancher, Eager Podcaster
http://beesinourbonnetsintheburbs.blogspot.com/
Podcasts at http://thefannyfarm.blogspot.com/ |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
3019 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
3019 Posts |
Posted - Feb 24 2010 : 11:29:06 AM
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| In some instances, I have built up the soil around the leggy stem so that it has more support, & that seems to help. |
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alterationsbyemily
True Blue Farmgirl
697 Posts
Emily
Chambersburg
PA
USA
697 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2010 : 11:18:09 AM
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I got a few more seeds today, and I can't wait to start them! Is the average time to prestart 6 weeks?
See my custom costumes, download free patterns, and hear some spook EVPs from Gettysburg, PA on my site, www.alterationsbyemily.com |
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CherryPie
True Blue Farmgirl
935 Posts
Kimberly Ann
Puyallup
WA
USA
935 Posts |
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
3019 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
3019 Posts |
Posted - Feb 25 2010 : 12:22:05 PM
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| Kimberly, I think the only way to salvage those is to repot & make sure to bury the in soil with just the tops sticking out. Then make sure to get a grow light, & even a fan on them to distribute any heat evenly. You will probably want to thin out that many plants as well. They are still viable, but the stems are weakening daily. |
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Ms. Treadle
True Blue Farmgirl
51 Posts
Leigh-Ann
Northwest
Mississippi
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - Feb 26 2010 : 8:05:44 PM
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I love this time of year with all the chatter about starting seeds. I'm hoping to get into my greenhouse tomorrow and start some myself!!
Blessings,
Leigh-Ann
The only place where housework comes before needlework is in the dictionary. ~Mary Kurtz
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2010 : 3:10:01 PM
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I have Spring fever BAD! I want to get my house cleaned up, aired out and ready for when I abandon it for garden work. I already am dying with the need to be gardening! I want to be out in warm sunshine so bad! I put some tomato seeds in some peat pellets to sprout today and I know I am going to be such a mother hen over them until they sprout. I don't know what it is, but the smell of tomato plants means summer is coming!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
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craftbug
True Blue Farmgirl
545 Posts
Patsy
Clarkson
Kentucky
USA
545 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2010 : 3:43:56 PM
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DH planted 2 flats of sugarsnap peas and another flat with red,yellow n green peppers, italian tomatoes and yellow varigated tomatoes 2 days ago. He's getting antsy to get in the garden too. We just love to go through the seedbox to see what we need to start now, plan on what's going in the garden and make a list of what plants we'll need to buy. Never thought of trying to start carrot or lettuce inside...hmmmmmm
Make my words soft and tender, for I may have to eat them. :) |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
Posted - Feb 27 2010 : 5:58:23 PM
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I figure I can get the little carrots a good start in the lighter potting soil and then just transplant them in blocks into the garden. Maybe take a garden trowel and scoop them gently out and then put them into a new hole in the garden? If there is any sinking around them I can always back fill. I know carrots need a bit of a looser soil to grow big and straight and they are gratifying to watch since they sprout pretty quick- though I think the radishes were the best! They sprouted in about 3 days!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
Edited by - Alee on Feb 27 2010 6:04:15 PM |
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Garden Gate: Starting some seedlings! |
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Starting some seedlings!
