Learning When to Start Seeds

-

I had no idea when to start seeds; but, I'm learning from the best - like I said, I got people. I knew Jim had a plan but wasn't real sure where he acquired his magical planting skills - not lying his name should be Jack - like the guy and the beanstalk.

I had two plans. Plan A: As soon as I saw the seeds on display,  I bought the ones I love and started them in March - didn't matter what - just stuff I loved. Plan A never really worked out but it was always fun. Plan B: This plan was a little more successful. I saw plants at Lowe's - got 'the garden fever' aka TGF - bought all I could and planted - done. Where I planted them was of zero consequence - just plant them. Now I have a crazy looking garden (but those Bleeding Hearts look great in the spring!).

Maybe that's why Jim and I work so well together; he thinks his thoughts and I voice all mine. What ever chemistry we have, it's been working for 30+ years.

So, I needed a new plan; a Plan C! I tiptoed into Jim's garage and took a look at this chart thing he had on the wall - well damn! The chart tells you when to start seeds and when to set them out! Seriously?! Could it be that easy? Really?

I guess I need to get ready to start the eggplant seeds in January ... why eggplant? I have TGF, about to be laid up for a while with a cast, and it's the first seed I can start. Seriously, no other reason than that.


While digging for garden info:

I came across this blog:Homestead & Chill. Actually, I came across it a few times - like when I was looking at greenhouses. Anyways, the writer has a great voice, the blog is super easy to use, unassuming, and has a prettier chart than Jim's for zone 7 (they had all the zones available).

Greenhouse update: Still in boxes until the seawall is completed - so soon enough.

Asian Mix

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Garlic

-
Image
Garlic, so easy and so hard at the same time. I ordered two types of garlic for fall planting in July 2023: - Hard Neck Roja - Soft Neck Nootka. I received them September 29, 2023 and planted all 80 on October 30, 2023. You are suppose to plant garlic in October/November for zone 7. The harvest date for both is 240 days (harvest: July 29, 2024). I planted just like the instructions and internet gurus suggested but now I have stalks that are a foot+ tall. The internet says if they are sprouts not to worry - but this?! These are huge!  Today, December 30, 2023, I covered the base of the stalks with another layer of leaves (additional to the layer Mother Nature laid on them) and emailed Burpee to see if I am doing the right thing. One internet site says August is harvest time for garlic - well that math doesn't work in Virginia. If I wanted to harvest in August - I should have waited until winter and planted them December 18th. If anyone has any ideas - please let me know.
Read more

DAY 1: Building The Greenhouse (Unpacking a Puzzle)

-
Image
4 HOURS The Greenhouse was delivered in two long skinny boxes. One box held the pieces for the structure and the other box (that snapped open sometime during delivery) held the window slats. Jim's first statement: "Good thing I'm still in the Christmas Spirit." Well, Shut the Back Door! Good thing we watched videos on the "assembly" because people were NOT kidding about all the parts! Oh! And y ou will not be disappointed - the instructions are just as bad as everyone says; if you use the "parts page" to help you identify the pieces you need - it's not so bad (for now). Just go in with a positive attitude, don't tighten down anything and never force the aluminum - you'll be fine. We had to laugh, the first instruction said to unpack everything and count all the pieces ... you have to be kidding. Tonight we built the bottom, supports, 'front door' and back wall of the frame. It took a couple of hours. We are building most of it 
Read more

End of the Garden Season for me ...

-
Image
Yes, I know there is a place for winter crops and I planted 15 turnips that never showed and 2/3 of my Kale plants were stolen by a vermint (I even enclosed the little plants). Winter crops will have to wait. I DID grow 5 pumpkins though. 2 are orange and "Halloween" like, 2 are peach colored and 'long in the face', the last one was a white/blue pumpkin and it didn't last very long. Questions I have for the universe: Was it good garden soil? My daughter bought me a soil testing kit from amazon for me to try. Was there enough soil? Are the raised beds as full as they need to be? How do I really use fertilizer in the garden? What fertilizer do I use? Were my plants too crowded? Yes; how do I stop my compulsion to plant everything in sight? Road to Redemption: READING: I bought a book by Mike McGrath, Growing Great Tomatoes , and I have read half. So far, I did almost everything wrong from he start (but I had fun - so there's that). I also found a book in my lib
Read more