Well after much consideration we decided that we should take the flats of seeds into the house to sprout. We could have cranked on the heat in the greenhouse for them but we figured since it was already a consistent heat in the house we might as well take advantage of it. Our little way of conserving energy if you will. So there they sit on shelves by the back patio door. The register vent is not too far away for added bottom warmth and the misting bottle is at the ready.
So it has been a day shy of a week since planting and I think all the flats are alive and growing. The only light source at this time is coming from the slider so as the plants crane their necks towards it we turn the flats a quarter turn to keep them straight. We are readying the fluorescent lights in the greenhouse so I think we will move the seedlings out there tomorrow.
I need to dig out the tags that I have for the different kinds of tomatoes that I grew last year and order the new varieties. I also must get my description list started. I want to add color pictures to it this year.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
So Much To Do
A person can get bogged down and give up before they even start when there are so many things to do. Just a quick walk through the yard and I have a list of must-do's.
We are removing trees in our backyard so we have more garden space. The pussy willow that I spoke of in an earlier blog is coming down. That way we can make use of the reflective heat coming from the side of the shop for such things as peppers and tomatoes.
We are thinking of taking down our sweet cherry tree. It often takes a late hit from frost so we don't get cherries that year. Plus it shades valuable growing area. But it is also that shade that I will miss. I have often sat and even slept in that shade after a frenzy of digging and weeding, too exhausted to drag myself to the porch and comfort of a chair. That tree sheltered our chickens and even turkeys when the coop was closer to the house.
A couple of fairly new apple trees on the side yard by the greenhouse are also slated for removal, plus the extra raspberries that for some reason my husband thought should go there. I am even entertaining thoughts of the demise of my beloved Green Gage plum tree that I put in after a trip to Europe.
I will research and find dwarf fruit trees that I can espalier against the fence line. All the fruits that I want without taking up all that space!
Viva la demolition!
We are removing trees in our backyard so we have more garden space. The pussy willow that I spoke of in an earlier blog is coming down. That way we can make use of the reflective heat coming from the side of the shop for such things as peppers and tomatoes.
We are thinking of taking down our sweet cherry tree. It often takes a late hit from frost so we don't get cherries that year. Plus it shades valuable growing area. But it is also that shade that I will miss. I have often sat and even slept in that shade after a frenzy of digging and weeding, too exhausted to drag myself to the porch and comfort of a chair. That tree sheltered our chickens and even turkeys when the coop was closer to the house.
A couple of fairly new apple trees on the side yard by the greenhouse are also slated for removal, plus the extra raspberries that for some reason my husband thought should go there. I am even entertaining thoughts of the demise of my beloved Green Gage plum tree that I put in after a trip to Europe.
I will research and find dwarf fruit trees that I can espalier against the fence line. All the fruits that I want without taking up all that space!
Viva la demolition!
The Greenhouse Is Open!
Yea! We have the greenhouse open and cleaned out and ready for planting!!
We set the benches up and pulled out all the flats and inserts from the shed.
Opened our bags of germination soil (we use Sunshine Mix #3) and mixed 50/50 with
our own mix of compost and secret ingredients. I feel like a mad scientist!
Our containers were filled and ready for seeds. We are starting about 60 different
kinds of tomatoes this year along with several basils, and assorted veggies. I am
also growing some peppers this year due to peoples requesta at the Farmers Market.
Also, some different kinds of veggies that I want to enter in the local county fair.
If I can remember to get my entry forms in on time.
Anyway, back to the greenhouse. My daughter and 2 granddaughters are there to help us.
We have an assembly line going. I mix the soils, Betsy fills the pots, Jessica stacks the flats, and Cheyenne
oversees us while running out periodically to check the chickens for eggs and chase the dogs.
We set the benches up and pulled out all the flats and inserts from the shed.
Opened our bags of germination soil (we use Sunshine Mix #3) and mixed 50/50 with
our own mix of compost and secret ingredients. I feel like a mad scientist!
Our containers were filled and ready for seeds. We are starting about 60 different
kinds of tomatoes this year along with several basils, and assorted veggies. I am
also growing some peppers this year due to peoples requesta at the Farmers Market.
Also, some different kinds of veggies that I want to enter in the local county fair.
If I can remember to get my entry forms in on time.
Anyway, back to the greenhouse. My daughter and 2 granddaughters are there to help us.
We have an assembly line going. I mix the soils, Betsy fills the pots, Jessica stacks the flats, and Cheyenne
oversees us while running out periodically to check the chickens for eggs and chase the dogs.
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