Time...

Our seedlings are quite large now and pushing their limits in our little greenhouse. I had to remind myself that I may have a month before I can plant these babies outside. I am continuing to spray them with kelp organic fertilizer each week. I also water and rotate them in their green house so that sunshine from the glass door can reach each seedling.

The cucumber plant I've mentioned before is blooming. We have been plucking the blooms off but now I'm questioning that tactic. Could I grow cucumbers in my kitchen window? Possibly.

I'm not to worried about the early cucumber plants, 4 total, I usually direct seed cucumbers in the garden or containers. Even if I have only two left come planting I will have a early crop. I will also direct seed a second and even a third cucumber crop during the season.

Get your hands dirty.

Last year at this time...

A good habit is to keep your garden calendars from year to year so that you have a record of planting and sprouting seeds. I was reviewing my calendar from last year and realized that we planted many seeds directly on the 8th of April. It is April 15th and I am looking at 6 inches of snow on the ground! I had sprouts last year at this time! I feel robbed and I have a cucumber plant in the window that is over a foot high. It also may feel robbed.

So, with many seedlings well on their way my immediate goal is to keep them alive until the warm up. Mother's Day is May 13th and many consider this the day for planting. But you really have to go with your gut instinct. Wind, cold, freezing nights, rain and sunshine are indicators that you will learn to be in touch with over time. I feel that, yes, spring feels a little late this year but I could have vegetables growing well into October, Mother Nature depending.

Happy Gardening

My apologies for not posting sooner! Seedlings were planted in mid-February and are coming a long nicely. We picked up this little green house at Home Depot and it has made my life so much easier.

The seedlings are virtually maintenance free in this indoor greenhouse. I have heating pads on the bottom two shelves and as seeds sprout I move them up. Every week I spray the leaves with a kelp organic mixture and bottom water to stimulate root growth. The temperature inside the greenhouse averages from mid-70's to 85 degrees.

If you get one of these nifty greenhouses keep in mind they trap humidity and you will have water on the floor, so put a towel or tray down to capture moisture.

Happy Planting!!

2013 Plan...what to buy..

OK this is a list of what we think we will need to buy this year. I will improve upon it as we move forward, so please check back whereas it may change.

• Organic Fertilizers (Kelp and granular)
• 4 new Topsy turves
• 2-4 mounts to hang Topsy turvees
• cilantro seeds
• peat moss
• bagged dirt for containers
• planters mix (delivered)
• seedling dirt or soiless medium
• 1 trellis
• bricks
• leek seeds?
• Kale seeds
• green onions

2013 Plan Continued....

What do we aspire to grow this year...

• Tomatoes
• Lettuce
• Yellow squash
• Green squash
• eggplant
• broccoli
• cauliflower
• spaghetti squash
• kale
• spinach
• cabbage (golden acre)
• Serrano peppers
• jalapeno peppers
• Tabasco peppers
• pablano peppers
• cilantro
• cucumbers
• corn
• carrots
• radishes
• peas
• green beans
• onions
• beans
• watermelon
• pumpkin (1)
• kohlrabi

Do we have enough room??? This remains to be seen.

2013 Plan

January...So, there are certain steps that go along with each season plan. Each year I improve upon our plan and "how" I go about it. This year is no different...

Step one: What do we aspire to grow this year?
Step two: What do I need to buy? (soil, seeds, containers, supplies, organic fertilizers)
Step three: What seeds do I need to start inside? (how many of each?)
Step four: What do we direct seed in the garden? (how many of each?)
Step five: What gets planted in containers? Which ones? (pots or barrels)
Step six: Plan the main garden area, consider plant space, sun and soil properties. (don't forget to rotate crops)
Note: Incorporate the "New Victory Garden" book into the plan.

More to come..