Garden Diary 2008

February 22, 2008  - Ordered my seeds.  Hate to do it but I am going to disease resistant varieties of Tomatoes.  Wilt has hit my tomatoes the past two years, so I am not taking any chances.  My only holdover are San Marzano Paste tomatoes.  I will change the soil in one of my 5′ square garden boxes to provide them a disease free start.   This year, I ordered from two companies. First, Seeds of Change  for organic seeds: TOMATOES, PASTE, SAN MARZANO; KALE, WHITE RUSSIAN; BASIL, LETTUCE LEAF;  ARUGULA (ROQUETTE SALAD); and LETTUCE, LOOSELEAF, SWEET VALENTINE.

Second company is Park Seed  where I ordered Marigold seeds, ancho chiles and two tomato hybrids, the Whopper and Battito.  Starting my marigolds from seed produced far larger more productive plants last year and they are terrific for keeping away pests in the garden.

Cheap way to chase away the winter blues!!!

April 14, 2007 - Prepared all of my garden boxes today incorporating manure, bone meal and blood meal into the soil. After turning over the mixture and and breaking up the clumps, I raked it smooth and planted seeds of spinach and two kinds of lettuce. The patch of garlic sprouts were awkward so I sprinkled the meal and manure on the top and tried to dig it in a bit between the rows.

Tomato plants are very large now at 6 inches high, but I will keep them inside until after Mothers Day I expect. I will set out some rhubarb plants next week once this weather clears into a part of the garden that won’t be disturbed going forward. That way, they can get established for years to come.

Finally, the sage, chives and thyme made it through the winter is fine shape. Glad since I grew them from seed and they took forever to get large!

March 26, 2007 - Have you started your seeds yet? Okay, its a bit early but you should at least order them from any of these who have robust websites:

• Johnny’s Seeds is in Winslow Maine and offers tons of organic varieties. They allowed my credit card info to get jacked so I am bit miffed right now. Their seeds are WONDERFUL however and I am sure their data security has been strengthened.
• Southern Exposure Seed Exchange have a great reputation and offer many old varieties.
• Rare Seeds. Com provides heirloom seeds and are my provider of choice this year. Their prices are super reasonable and so far, the seeds are sprouting quite efficiently.

What am I planting this year?

• Early Tomato: Heirloom Sub-Arctic Plenty Red Tomato (Baker Creek) Site says this is an incredibly early tomato.
• Mid-Season Tomato: Heirloom Tall Vine Rose (Johnny’s) Grew these last year and they were delicious. Also grew German Striped which we not as tasty.
• Mid-Season Tomato: Super Choice Heirloom Red Tomato (Baker Creek)
• Basil: Fine Verde Basil (Baker Creek) The tiny leafed type for pots. Heirloom.
• Basil: Sweet Italian from a pack of supermarket seeds. Will order giant leaf to seed directly in garden when soil warms. Last year it was amazing.
• Summer Squash: Coban Pumpkin and Lebanese White Bush Marrow (both Baker Creek heirlooms) Got carried away here since we have nightmare problems with squash borers.
• Victoria Rhubarb (Baker Creek) No one should grow this but me probably. I can’t get local plants so decided that these little seeds will produce usable rhubarb in my lifetime!

Later will plant pole beans directly into the soil to grow over arched trellis. Will also sow alot of lettuce, spinach and arugula once a bit warmer. They are so easy and make having salads so simple! The tiny leaves are quite choice also.

I use plastic cups and potting soil. Poke drainage holes in the bottoms of the cups then fill with soil to within 1/2″ of top. Plant the seeds under 1/4″ to 1/2″ of soil then water and place all cups in a larger tub covered with plastic wrap. The humidity covers the wrap in condensation, and voila, sprouts! Keeping the container in a warm spot is a good idea; mine is near the radiator and in a sunny window. Once the seeds in a cup have sprouted, uncover them or remove from the incubator. Never let them dry out. I water mine with a sprayer so that the tender shoots don’t get damaged by water.

Consider taking control of your consumption at least during the coming summer with easy to grow crops like tomatoes, spinach, leaf lettuce and beans. If I can grow them, anyone can!