Category: Planting

Seeds inside

It’s quite chilly outside, and we’re without hot water and electric heat, so I decided to work on some inside planting.

P got this really nice plant light for my birthday, and in using it with a heating pad to start some seeds inside (and try some microgreens). I’ve already got tomatoes and peppers going, and some cilantro, so today I started some okra (which is nearly impossible to buy as starts around here) and some peas to try as pea shoots.*

(*Here are a couple of how-tos for harvesting pea shoots – 1, 2 )

To make my little newspaper pots, I folded and wrapped a sheet of seed catalog around a juice glass, and secured the end with a water+flour paste.

Then I folded down the bottom part and glued it as well

Easy peasy.

Here’s what the flat o’seeds looks like now.

I’m watering from the bottom, which is what you’re supposed to do I guess.

BRRRRRRR BEETS AND GREENS

We are without electricity today, and I decided not to go downtown because of the SNOW and instead opted for working in the yard a bit… I’m almost able to feel my toes now. /:

Planted chard, kale, and romaine in upper b. (romaine is furthest west)

Put leeks, beets, and carrots in south a.

I really fluffed up the soil there (and found a patch of mycelium), with the hope of better root crops. Let’s hope bunnies don’t like carrots IRL.

Peas are JUST starting to break the surface, and some ejected themselves from the soil (:. Saw a tiny bit of green in West E- beets and radishes.

The onions are looking a tad bit better (the old greenery died off, but new stuff is pushing out). I just need to remember that this is how they roll.

Sun-day

Did a couple of chores around the yard today.

Chopped up the cover crop in upper b and upper c, and added amendment. I’m ready to get some greens in the ground! I’m hoping the cover crops and such will help with my nutrient deficiencies in there last year.

On Monday I started a bunch of tomato and pepper seedlings in side. I already have a bunch of tomatoes starting!

We set up the greenhouse/shelf outside, and discussed how we’ll use it. I’d like to do some starts out there when it gets a little warmer (okra?) and I’ll likely use it when my tomatoes and peppers are bigger.

More things are starting to come up- the perrenial sunflower has some activity at the root causing us to wonder about sunchokes… The garlic is going good- and the onions look terrible, but I think they always look terrible for a little bit.

Less related to the garden, I evened out the rocks and dirt in the spa-pit and moved the fire pit there (after replacing the rusted bowl.) Vegan s’mores will be had this summer.

treat yourself to perennials

That’s what I say. After the dentist today I decided to stop and look at the nursery, and grabbed some creeping phlox and gold allysum for the upper edge, and some Pekingese hens and chicks for the lower rocks.

Storm is rolling in, and should give everything a good soak.

Phlox and allysum

What things look like now.

Onions, Radishes, and Beets

72degrees! We’re about 6 weeks out from the average last frost (April 23)

I got a shipment of onion plants from Territorial today, a mix of Redwing, WallaWalla and Ringmaster. I’m not sure about the price ($29) value vs. sets at The Grange (~$5 each set) but we’ll see how they come up. About 120 starts total.

*instructions say to plant exactly 1″ deep, and no deeper.

Onions went around west c and west d. Tomatoes will go in center.

West E got a smattering of mixed beets and radishes. (1/2 deep) with space left for the bean trellis.

I also refreshed, filled and top dressed the pots. Planted parsley in one of the hanging baskets (the other has strawberries). A bonus onion found a home next to the borage.

UPDATE: Squak Mtn Nursery had bunches of WallaWallas for $4. So I guess if I order I don’t get a good deal, but I get what I want?

The Grange had all the same varieties- $5 each?