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Well yesterday I started the larkspur. Today I started the Malva Zebrina v. Pink. Hope I got that title correct. And tomorrow I'm going to start the Malva Sylvestris Zebrina. I'm doing everything in egg cartons this year. Well except for the ones that need trays. I've got 2 seeds per each cup and I hope that this way I won't have to disturb the seedlings more than necessary for the transplant. I'll just cut the cups apart and plant the hole dang thing lol.
I've also got a big pot of mint water simmering on the stove to keep the kitchen nice and humid where I am starting the seeds. Smells pretty good too.
I am so looking forward to my garden in 2006. I can't wait to see how everything will look. And also how everything is going to do over the winter that I planted last year.
And while I'm talking about the rest of my garden plans I should say that the portulaca that I am overwintering indoors are still blooming and looking good. I may have lost a few of the colors but I still have several different kinds. And with the seeds I traded for this year I should have quite a show next year and can overwinter them again then.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I posted my what I planted in the Herbs section. I was surprised that Walmart had seed already. This is my third year for a garden and I am looking forward to it more and more every year.
Also went out and watered today, my poor strawberry plants don't know it's winter, nobody told them.
Here in Oklahoma we haven't had rain since October 1st, and it is like a tender box here.
Have had grass fires all around the area, but so far it has gotten into town where I live.
Also made some Sauerkraut today. It will be ready in a couple of weeks.
bbbbbbbbb One OS to rule them, one OS to find them: One OS to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie. Posts: 1077 | From: Haskell Oklahoma Zone 6b | Registered: Feb 2005
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We've had pretty regular rain after September which is a good thing. It is making the ground easier to work. That is except when it snows lol. The celosia are very confused and keep trying to come up and then getting snowed on. I'll definitely have to try starting them indoors when the time comes this year. And then planting them inside their biodegradable containers come summer. I love celosia.
I'm glad you mentioned the herbs, I can do those between the last of the "12 weeks before last frost" and the "10 weeks before last frost" plants" lol. You can tell I plan to be right on schedule this year can't you. Mid March I plan to be out there with a brand new trowel doing some brick laying for my terracing project. And then it's top soil and transplanting 2 weeks later.
I'm like you in that I so look forward to next years garden. 2005 was my first years garden and I really expect better things next year.
I hope all the grass fires pass you by and that you and yours are safe and sound through out the year.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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It was 75 degrees today it broke a 94 year record.
I guess we're not going to have any winter this year.
bbbbbbbbb One OS to rule them, one OS to find them: One OS to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie. Posts: 1077 | From: Haskell Oklahoma Zone 6b | Registered: Feb 2005
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It doesn't seem like it but I'm sure later this month or Febuary is going to be rough to make up for it. I've got some par-cel a hybred of parsley and celery that I'm thinking of planting today. It's suppose to be easy to grow, can be kept inside and only needs a 6 inch pot at maturity. That combination I can handle. I just need to run downstairs and find a six inch pot lol.
Hey Fernie, I love basil. What kind did you plant? And if you hear of anyone with the cinnamon basil let me know. I would really like to plant a couple more of them this summer. That way I can harvest seeds and leaves. But with only one plant I want to keep it alive as long as possible. The flavor it adds to recipes is yummy.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I have just regular basil I think....it only had one seed in the packet. Triss sent me some lemon and sweet and Patty is sendingme some purple. I will keep my eye out for the cinnamon.
bbbbbbbbb
GO DAWGS! Posts: 3479 | From: The Idaho Boonies | Registered: Apr 2005
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Well I couldn't resist so today I planted another avocado. From what I understand I should plant 3 or 4 in the same hole to help with pollination in what 50 years lol. I'm such a nut but someone might benefit if the plants live that long.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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About the avocado thing . . . did you have any luck with that last year? I certainly did not.
At Canada Blooms (the plant show) I was at one of those little lectures put on by Home Depot . . . the avocados we get in the fruit store are NEVER females . . . if one actually 'took' it would be pure luck.
That's why I didn't try it again. Also, you've gotta' keep in mind that if you live in a cooler climate, you have to bring them in - they get really big and most of us aren't in a position that we can give over a whole room in our house or apartment to these big plants.
bbbbbbbbb When sorting seeds, do not whistle. Posts: 2784 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
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Is there a reason you're making sauerkraut? Is it because they're saying it wards off bird flu?
I'm wondering if there's anything to that business.
One of my online friends from Israel just gets cabbage, cuts it up and pickles it in pickle juice (after he eats the pickles, of course).
I think it all boils down to (no pun intended) the fact that green vegetables are darn good for ya'.
You take broccoli - you hear of those cancer diets that involve eating it big time. It's supposed to work - I have a theory about that and I've even told it to people who actually study science.
Cancer cells probably like broccoli, so they get into it, and broccoli, passing through the system easily, flushes them out when you hit the can.
Am I crazy for thinking that?
bbbbbbbbb When sorting seeds, do not whistle. Posts: 2784 | From: Toronto, Canada | Registered: Jul 2004
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I decided to make sauerkraut partly because I was bored and needed something to do and also it's fairly easy to make.
I like to try new things, I really like going to the store and looking at some vegetable I have never heard of and taking it home and cooking it.
When I was in Germany I would go to a restaurant and point it something on the Menu and tell them "I want one of these", can make for a VERY interesting meal.
bbbbbbbbb One OS to rule them, one OS to find them: One OS to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie. Posts: 1077 | From: Haskell Oklahoma Zone 6b | Registered: Feb 2005
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Well the first avocado grew a root so I'm hoping the second one will too. It would be nice to be lucky. I'm finding that they take a lot longer than 6 weeks though. I guess that could be because of my soil. But as long as it's growing it can stay as long as it likes. I live in a warm climate so I don't think the avocado is going to need indoor wintering. I hope not anyway since I have a very small apartment.
Today I haven't planted anything yet but I did add some more seeds to my seed exchange list so I'm feeling pretty perky.
Next I think I'll do breakfast lol.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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loz
guests
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I'm glad you got so much planted Tammy! That's great.....
I can't wait to plant mine but I have about a month to wait here....A few years ago I started them in January and they got too spindly and most of them died....so I learned my lesson....But I'm SO looking forward to starting them before too long, I have so many seeds this year!!!!!
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Yes I have a huge selection of seeds too. There is no way I can start them all indoors but I do want to do what I can. I have about 8 feet of window space left for starting plants early lol. That's not much room. But I do plan to fill every inch I can with whatever I have that seems like it will need an early start. I know I'll start the miniature snapdragons soon because they are so hardy that they will even take some light frosts. And so I can plant them out in the bulb bed early like around the first of March rather than the end of it. By late March I hope that they are blooming. At least that's the plan lol.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Woohoo the Malva v. Pink has 4 sprouts so far out of 24 seeds planted. That's a start. I'm feeling very optimistic at this point. Hope it just keeps on getting better and better.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I do believe that 2 of the larkspur have broken ground. They are little tiny so they are very hard to see but I did see them. I hope they make it. I still haven't seen a sprout of the regular malva but it will happen sooner or later lol. I haven't gotten around to planting the par-cel which is next on my list but I'll get there. I started alittle early I think because I didn't understand the last frost date stuff. But I have a handle on it now. I love this website it teaches me so much.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I haven't started any seeds yet (Well, not on purpose anyway), but am planning to get on that this weekend. I want to get some of the longer germinating things started, like Bells of Ireland & Columbine.
I also have seeds from a pretty little Lilac Mist Callalilly & some Western Blue Flag Iris that I should have planted last year, I think, but I want to see if they'll still grow... I'm not sure how long those seeds are good for, so I hope they do something. (I harvested the seeds at the end of the 2004 growing season, but knew even less about flowers then, than I do now... which still doesn't feel like much, but I'm with Tammy in that this site has so much to offer, if a person wants to learn!)
We don't see a lot of sunshine here before March, as a rule, & I don't have a really good light system set up (just a bank of regular fluorescents), so I don't want to start things yet, that are going to come up fast & get too spindly before hardening-off time.
When I was getting seeds ready to send Triss & Fernie on Monday, I was really wondering if what I thought were seeds, really are seeds, so I tossed about 5 of the paper-thin grey "spots" from a Crystal White Zinnia into the water, where I'm rooting an Avacado seed. (I thought to myself, "wouldn't it just be awful if these things don't turn out to be seeds? I'll just see if these little specks do anything in the water, so I can brace myself for Triss to tell me later, "Hey Patty, those Zinnia seeds you sent, don't seem to be any good!") Well, today when I was cleaning off the window sill, I noticed 5 little sprouts in the cup where the Avacado seed is! Took a while before I could remember what the heck I threw in there, but I was sure happy when I figured it out! I stuck them in a pot & am curious as to whether or not they can keep going, cuz I sure don't think that's the way that type of seed should have been started!
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Congrats on your sprouts. Are you going to direct sow the bells and columbine? They both require pre-chilling right?
I have one sprout in the regular malva this morning but still nothing from the larkspur not that it doesn't have plenty of time yet to come up. I just love to see them.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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No, I'm not direct-sowing the Bells & Columbine, cuz I've read that they might take quite a while to germinate. Yes, both seeds require stratification, & if I'm not mistaken, I think the Bells seeds also benefit from scarification, so I'll try sand-papering some of them (lightly) & marking my seed trays, to see if that makes any diff.
Both of those seeds also need light exposure to germinate... I think that was my prob last year when it took so darned long before any of my Bells did anything!
Must remember to keep the surface moist, so I'll either cover them with clear wrap, or arrange my Peat Pots in 1 of the see-thru' store-bought cake covers that I've saved. (I punch holes near the bottom for ventilation, so the soil doesn't get mildewy, & will take them out of there, once... if ...they sprout.)
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I can't wait for all the pictures for this year. I'm expecting much better things this year with all the compost I'm adding to the clay what is already there. I'm amazed that the miniature rose is surviving. I have such high hopes for everything. I got some seed starter soil and a ph testing kit today at lowe's. Couldn't believe they actually had these things on hand this year. Last year they really messed up with this stuff. So anyway that's going to be some of my projects for next week.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I got the biggest window shelf up today. Of course that means that I missed the Baptism cause I got busy and forgot. And after assembling that I realized that I needed to harvest some more of the cinnamon basil. That's always a pleasure. And then prune the coleus that was way to big to fit in the window with the new shelf so now I have 5 good sized coleus cuttings to root. Well with the extra space I now have I will definitely have to get the par-cel out and plant a container full. I love the ticker than is counting down to spring on our main page. It just helps the time fly by. It's so great.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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bbbbbbbbb One OS to rule them, one OS to find them: One OS to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Redmond where the shadows lie. Posts: 1077 | From: Haskell Oklahoma Zone 6b | Registered: Feb 2005
| Logged: 69.30.152.15
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wtg amigatec it's looking good to me. I wish mine were flurishing like that. I just have a couple of sprouts. But I'll get there one way or another lol.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Ok....you all are getting me in the mood to start planting something early... Have to restrain myself, I know from experience what happens if I start to early LOL and I have a calendar of events all planned out for seed starting of all of my plants, so I HAVE TO STICK TO THE SCHEDULE, or I won't have enough space to keep everything until I transplant outdoors.
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Is your schedule really big or can you post it? I would so like to know what other peoples plans are. Last year I was just getting started without the benefit of anyones guidance and the results were minimal I guess you could say lol. I'm alittle worried because Loz mentioned that she lost most of her inside starts the one year she did a whole lot of them. I'm thinking I may be headed for disappointment and so of course I'm now going to worry that to death.
So far the larkspur haven't shown up in the egg carton I thought I planted them in. But in the regular Malva I have two different kinds of sprouts comming up. So either there were a lot of volunteers in that little bit of soil or I planted two different things in the same carton.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Some more of the Malva have come up and today I planted a bunch of the miniature snapdragon. I love those little things. If enough survive my attempt at growing them I think I'm going to do them in clumps where I stake the center one and then let the outside ones fall down. That will add more height and interest I think. I also think that if this works my bulb bed is going to be spectacular lol. Not that I'm excited or anything.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Tammy..Here is how I figured out my schedule: First I downloaded a Seed Starting chart here it is for veggies only and printed out 4 copies of the blank chart. The instructions are on the chart: Calculate (your) set out date using Frost Free date for your zone, and then it gives a guide line of how many days to add to that for safe to set out guidelines. Then you subtract weeks from sowing for each set out date and you have your seed starting schedule. I had always just done this same sort of thing on paper and had a rough guide line, and that works, but sometimes you get more going then you have room for and in my limited space I need to be able to have the proper light space available at the right times. Ok now you are totally confused I am sure, but once you look at the chart you will see what I mean. I also printed out some calendar pages and added each start time and set out time to the calendar pages for quick reference. Most of my seeds will be germinated at around 70 degrees unless they require something different, but most things will sprout at that temp. So as my ticker indicates...The first start date will be March 3 for me...so the end of February I will clean and sterilize everything and get all my lights and etc set up. I calculate I am in zone 6b-7a...so I go with the 6b since I am on the line of the two zones to be safe.
Tomatoes Start: Mar 3-17 & Mar 10-24 This will give me a set out date of April 28-May 5 Peppers Start: Mar 10-24 This will give set out date May 5 Melons Start: Mar 27-April 3 with set out date May 10-24 Cukes start: Mar 31-April 17 with set out date April 28-May 5 Squash start: April 8-15 & April 17-24 with set out date of April 30-May 14 The rest of my veggies will be direct sowed. All of the flowers will be worked in around veggie start times as will the herbs also.
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That's really cool. I have a chart from the gift I was given for christmas. So I've been doing pretty much the same thing except not giving 2 week safety margine for the frost. I'll know better next year. I've been sterilizing my pots and tools as I go. that way I don't have a whole bunch to do all at one time. I am easily overwhelmed lol. Thank you for taking the time to explain your system to me. That's going to help alot when I talk to Jenny.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Well I finally did it. I planted the par-cel. It's a hybred between parsley and celery. We'll see how it does as a houseplant. I have a couple of seeds left of it so I'm going to add it to my seed exchange list. I have some other things to add also.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I thought I had already mentioned that I planted a yellow onion the other day; but, I don't see the post. Oh well, I did plant one. I hope to grow it indoors and have it flower. Then I'll have seeds to start some much later in the year. I would love to have onions in my garden. I love onions.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Do you have a pregnant onion? Seems like I remember someone saying they had one growing??? My mom says she has one and has offered me one, so when I go to visit her in February I will come back home not only African violets, but a pregnant onion also.
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I started 6 varieties of tomatoes (EARLY, EARLY) and 2 varieties of onion seeds on New Years day. By Sunday morning when I left for New England, half the tomatoes were up as well as one of the onion varieties.
bbbbbbbbb Terry
May the force be with you Posts: 1370 | From: Copper Hill, Virginia | Registered: Apr 2004
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Nope mine isn't a pregnant onion it's a plain old grocery store bought yellow onion. But it just kept on growing in the bag and it didn't get soft so I thought what the heck. Anything that wants to grow that badly should be given a chance. Am I wonkers?
I have another nine days before my next planting frenzy lol. Then it's just trying to keep the seedlings alive until it's time to harden them off on the way to the garden.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Looks like you guys have got things together. And I'm jealous. I still don't have the energy to get started. My yard is still full of leaves. It's good to know that WalMart has out seeds. Maybe I'll get there this weekend.
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I finally got all of my seeds ordered, I figured I better get that done while I still have time to wait for them to arrive. I used 4 florescent lights last year and it really wasn't enough, so I am adding 2 more lights...I know I will still need more for my plants I plan on starting. The big chore is to dig the lights out, I stored them in a shed and then put a bunch of boxes in there and now I will have to rearrange the shed to get to my lights.
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Well I have more seeds than land but I have some people that are willing to let me plant in their ground so I'm in good shape for the most part. I don't know about 4 foot full spectrum lights. But I hope you find the information you are looking for. What kinds of seeds are you all planning on buying?
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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TK, I wish you lived close to me. You could plant your seeds in my yard. I didn't make it to WalMart. I can only do a little at a time. I don't want to overdo it and get sick again. No way!! You've been so busy. You're gonna be ready for the first spring day for sure.
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It's better to go slowly when you are recovering. Relapses are worse than the first time around. I hope to be ready. I also hope that I will have enough compost that I can start the new flowerbeds as soon as the cold weather passes. Not that we've had much of it so far but some. I've removed the clay from about half of a tier that I want to plant for next year. Now I just have to work on widening and deepening it. I like the beds to be at least 18 inches deep and it's about 12 inches right now. After I do this one there is one more lower down that I hope to be able to brick in to raise to the correct height for the last tier. It's going to be so great. I look forward to the new years garden with great hope.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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I lucked out and found my lights, I had moved them before putting all of those boxes in my shed, But I will be one light short, so when I go to Wal Mart this week I will get me another one. I was disappointed though we went to Home Depot and they had these cute fence sections (last fall) which I had planned to get to edge my new flower bed with, But they didn't have them anymore, so it looks like I will be hauling rocks.
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Cool on getting the lights out of the shed. I always love it when a project ends up being easier than I anticipate. Sorry they didn't have the edging that you were planning to use. Maybe they will have it a little later in the year. What do you think?
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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Well I am hoping that it is just too early on the little fence edging I wanted, and if I start hauling rocks now even if I get the fence later I can use the rocks else where. I just ordered and got it in the mail Saturday a new book it is called "The Medicine Wheel Garden" It is based on The American Indian medicine wheel. On the back of the book it says: "It was an ancient way of creating scared space and calling forth the healing energies of nature." The front cover says: "Creating Scared Space for Healing, Celebration, and Tranquillity." I want to make one of these, the plants are all healing plants of course and will require rocks to line the paths and around the wheel shape. I haven't had enough time to read and study the book yet, but it is on the top of the list for things to do.
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That sounds like a lovely way to use garden space. I would still like a knot garden on a miniature scale one of these days. But right now I'll just be glad to have a garden full of flowers this year. I'm so easy to please.
bbbbbbbbb Posts: 8557 | From: triangle, virginia | Registered: Mar 2005
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The thing I like about this medicine wheel garden is that it all healing plants, So I can have a separate space just for them. I have started reading the book and I can see this not something I am just going to be able to go out and make in one season, So I will lay out the circle and work on one section at a time. The sections are laid out in color schemes, so decideding which color to start with first will be another problem. I'll do a seed search in my boxes and see which color I have the most of.
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if these things don't turn out to be seeds? I'll just see if these little specks do anything in the water, so I can brace myself for Triss to tell me later, "Hey Patty, those Zinnia seeds you sent, don't seem to be any good!") Well, today when I was cleaning off the window sill, I noticed 5 little sprouts in the cup where the Avacado seed is! ![[clappy]](graemlins/claps.gif)
Took a while before I could remember what the heck I threw in there, but I was sure happy when I figured it out! I stuck them in a pot & am curious as to whether or not they can keep going, cuz I sure don't think that's the way that type of seed should have been started! ![[dunno]](graemlins/dunno.gif)
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