Category Archives: seeds

Veggies 9.1

planting, seeds, vegetables

Growing vegetables this year was, well, challenging. The routine has been to plant seeds for cool crops in April, plant seeds and seedlings for warm crops after the last frost or by Memorial Day, and then try to squeeze in a small crop of greens in the late summer to fall.

This year I actually managed a staggered planting of spring cool crops. Then we promptly left the country. Poor planning? Argh. Well, then I was busy getting the rest of the Lot in shape, so our only warm crops this year are 3 tomatillo plant volunteers, some basil, a handful of garlic and beets (carrying over from spring), and what looks to be a volunteer cherry tomato plant.

However, tonight I have successfully planted seeds for a late season collection of cool crops! Here’s what went into the ground:

  • Arugula Rocket (35 days to harvest)
  • Baby Leaf Hybrid Spinach (30-40 days to harvest)
  • Baby Bok Choy Pak Choi (35-55 days to harvest)

First Frost Date

What I have to watch out for will be the first frost date, the first evening the temps at ground level dip to 32 degrees F, for our area. There are first frost maps that can give you an average of when that fateful evening is going to arrive. For our area, this first frost map predicts it will be between October 1 and October 10.

For a more accurate first frost date, I’m going to be checking the local station on the EnviroWeather website.

Crop Tolerance

I discovered on the MSUE Extension site that different crops are more tolerant of frost than others. I guess I knew this in part because I realize our summer veggies would not do well, if even survive, our spring season here. However, I didn’t connect this with cool crops actually having a bit of frost tolerance instead of just being okay in cooler weather.

Vegetables developing from flowers (like tomatoes, beans, okra, cucumber) are  more sensitive to frost. On the other hand, vegetables that are roots or leaves are more hardy. Plants like spinach can stand a frost of less than 28 degrees F. Brr.

It is possible I will utilize the new row covers I constructed this past spring just to be on the safe side. This will ensure the above plants are safe from frost damage until they are ready to harvest.

Resources
Frost and Freezing in Fall Vegetables

Starting Seeds – Three Time’s a Charm?

annuals, perennials, seeds

Last year’s starting seeds experiment did not end well. Like I had hoped, I was able to keep up on regular watering of the seeds. I also noted seed-starting mix, because of its ingredients and light weight, is a more efficient medium than potting soil when growing plants from seed.

So where did the experiment go wrong? I feel the egg containers I converted into seed-starting trays were too shallow. When a seedling seemed large enough to transplant into a small container, I had a difficult time removing it from the egg tray. The seed-starting medium often fell away from the plant as I attempted to scoop it out with a tablespoon. I also wonder if the spoon did not damage the delicate roots.

Using Peat Pots to Start Seeds

However, I am stubborn and the urge to grow something is too strong in late winter to resist! This year, I switched up the variable of the potting container to be small peat pots to plant along with the seedling when it is ready.

041615_peatpots

Seeds for 2015 Growing Season

I have a TON of seeds to use up. When the soil is warm and the last front has passed, many will be directly sown into the soil of the Lot. However, I selected a handful to try starting early, indoors, with seed-starting mix, and peat pots. The vow to water the pots at least once a day was also taken.

Annuals

  • Hyacinth Bean
  • Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
  • Canary Climber (Tropaelum peregrinum)
  • Picotee Blue Morning Glory (Ipomoea purpurea)
  • Cleome
  • Moonflower
  • Heliotrope Dwarf Marine
  • Chocolate Flower
  • Sensation Picotee Cosmo (Bipinnatus picotee)

Perennials

  • Summer Nights Larkspur
  • Black Barlow Columbine
  • English Daisy (Bellis perennis)
  • Butterfly Flower (Asclepias tuberosa)
  • Malva Zebrina (Malva sylvestris zebrina)
  • Prunella Pagoda (Prunella Grandiflora)
  • Blanket Flower Burgundy (Gaillardia aristata)
  • Penstemon
  • Verbena Moss (Verbena tenuisecta)
  • Peppermint Candy Columbine (Aquilegia vulgaris)
  • Black-eyed Susan Irish Eyes (Rudbeckia hirta)

Vegetables

  • Sugar Peas
  • Bush Beans
  • Persian Cucumber

They Arise

Two of the peat pot sets were planted on March 29th. The following two were planted on April 4th. There was no science or planning behind this decision. It was just the time I had available to plant the seeds. The tall seedling in the above photo is a sugar pea. The multiple green leaves are the English Daisies. However, yesterday is when I noticed the rest of the seeds breaking the surface. Here’s an up-close-and-personal shot.

041615_peatpots-closeup

It’s going to be fun watching the plants, noting how their grow patterns are similar and different. Hopefully I can successfully harden the plants off and have a smooth transplant outside onto the Lot. Then I’ll be able to compare these starters with the seeds direct sown into the soil.