Monday, March 28, 2011
Genesis Day 10
We have babies!!! The basil, pear tomatoes and dill are up nicely, but my peas haven't sprouted yet!!! Germination is supposed to occur in 5 - 10 days and we're at day 10. Hrmph. Guess I'll try another batch. Tonight, I started Italian Ribbed zuchinni, Black Krim tomatoes and Black Cherry tomatoes. I did one row of each in an 18 cup egg carton (cardboard, of course). I was trying to figure out how to water them without making a mess. I used, with much success, a sippy cup! It was perfect! I had to squeeze it to get the water to come out, but the small holes was just enough to wet the soil without washing it away. April 22nd (our projected last frost date) can't get here fast enough. Especially considering we had snow on Sunday and are forecast for more this week! Sigh. Good things comes to those who wait...or so I'm told!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Genesis - Day Three
Gardening in the dark - not recommended! LOL
All I really did today was to start Sweet Basil and Dill. I intended to start some Sweet Peas, but forgot to put them in to soak this morning. Hence, they are soaking now and will be started tomorrow morning.
I'm trying to recycle/repurpose and/or upcycle in my efforts. Today's noble efforts included using a Whole Foods biodegradable food container, a small (and rather pretty) Chinese take out box from this past weekend's Thai dinner, and a dry cleaning clear plastic bag to cover them all until the seeds sprout.
I also had the idea to rescue a plastic soft drink bottle from the trash that I intend to cut the bottom off, plant upside down in a large planter to be used as a sort of "funnel" for getting water deep into the planter.
I'm wondering if Fire House Subs still sells their five gallon pickle buckets? I'll find out this week. If so, and they are still reasonable, at least two or three are destined for the balcony as the new home for a tomato, zucchini or pepper plant!
One more note about starting the seeds. Our apartment building has centrally controlled HVAC which means that even though I have my thermostat turned so far back that it won't come on, radiant heat still emanates from the register. Although it is a small amount, I think it's going to be just enough to essentially function as a heat mat for the seeds. We'll see. The tomato seeds that I started on Saturday were sweating profusely yesterday.
So, not only have I made time for yarn today (the requisite knitting), I've made time for dirt. Now it's time to make time for sleep!
All I really did today was to start Sweet Basil and Dill. I intended to start some Sweet Peas, but forgot to put them in to soak this morning. Hence, they are soaking now and will be started tomorrow morning.
I'm trying to recycle/repurpose and/or upcycle in my efforts. Today's noble efforts included using a Whole Foods biodegradable food container, a small (and rather pretty) Chinese take out box from this past weekend's Thai dinner, and a dry cleaning clear plastic bag to cover them all until the seeds sprout.
I also had the idea to rescue a plastic soft drink bottle from the trash that I intend to cut the bottom off, plant upside down in a large planter to be used as a sort of "funnel" for getting water deep into the planter.
I'm wondering if Fire House Subs still sells their five gallon pickle buckets? I'll find out this week. If so, and they are still reasonable, at least two or three are destined for the balcony as the new home for a tomato, zucchini or pepper plant!
One more note about starting the seeds. Our apartment building has centrally controlled HVAC which means that even though I have my thermostat turned so far back that it won't come on, radiant heat still emanates from the register. Although it is a small amount, I think it's going to be just enough to essentially function as a heat mat for the seeds. We'll see. The tomato seeds that I started on Saturday were sweating profusely yesterday.
So, not only have I made time for yarn today (the requisite knitting), I've made time for dirt. Now it's time to make time for sleep!
Saturday, March 19, 2011
GENESIS! Life Begins on the Balcony
It's such a small start, but I feel SO energized!!! My east-, southeast-facing balcony (pics and dimensions to come later) was as bare as a bone in the Arizona dessert prior to today. And now, although it's still rightly bare, there are at least signs of life!
I potted up a small (2 qt) strawberry terra cotta pot with 5 strawberry plants (Sequoia, Ozark Beauty, Quinalt and one "unknown"). I shamefully admit that all plants/seeds for the initial round were purchased at a big box that is to remain nameless. I need to find/settle on a LGC (local garden center). I've decided to adopt the vernacular from the yarn community in that we refer to LYS' (local yarn shops) that we prefer over big box stores.
In addition to the strawberries, I transplanted german chamomile (x2) in a rectangular planter that my DH cable-tied to the balcony. Sugar snap peas are soaking now and I'll plant three in the same planter with the chamomile. I sure don't remember my Daddy soaking peas before he planted them. I'll have to ask him...
For a "late" planting of tomatoes, I started orangic yellow pear seeds in the windowsill (again I shamefully admit that I purchased a seed starter). I will pick up some slips at Whole Foods and/or a LGC soon. I know it's only March, so I don't want to rush it and put the tomatoes out too soon. We are, after all, expecting 30 degree weather on Thursday.
The last thing for the day was a potted Rosemary that should be very happy for a couple of years in the container in which it came home.
Admittedly, I did not plan this heretofore. All decisions were made yesterday and plants/supplies were purchased yesterday!!! The remainder of the year will be planned using an online garden planner: growveg.com, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Well worth a $25/year membership fee. Very simple, very powerful web-based application. You can try it out at no cost at www.growveg.com
Stay tuned!!!!!
I potted up a small (2 qt) strawberry terra cotta pot with 5 strawberry plants (Sequoia, Ozark Beauty, Quinalt and one "unknown"). I shamefully admit that all plants/seeds for the initial round were purchased at a big box that is to remain nameless. I need to find/settle on a LGC (local garden center). I've decided to adopt the vernacular from the yarn community in that we refer to LYS' (local yarn shops) that we prefer over big box stores.
In addition to the strawberries, I transplanted german chamomile (x2) in a rectangular planter that my DH cable-tied to the balcony. Sugar snap peas are soaking now and I'll plant three in the same planter with the chamomile. I sure don't remember my Daddy soaking peas before he planted them. I'll have to ask him...
For a "late" planting of tomatoes, I started orangic yellow pear seeds in the windowsill (again I shamefully admit that I purchased a seed starter). I will pick up some slips at Whole Foods and/or a LGC soon. I know it's only March, so I don't want to rush it and put the tomatoes out too soon. We are, after all, expecting 30 degree weather on Thursday.
The last thing for the day was a potted Rosemary that should be very happy for a couple of years in the container in which it came home.
Admittedly, I did not plan this heretofore. All decisions were made yesterday and plants/supplies were purchased yesterday!!! The remainder of the year will be planned using an online garden planner: growveg.com, which I cannot recommend highly enough. Well worth a $25/year membership fee. Very simple, very powerful web-based application. You can try it out at no cost at www.growveg.com
Stay tuned!!!!!
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