Seed List - 2014

Vegetables
Arugula, ARUGULA Rocket (Burpee)
Beans, "Bush Blue Lake 274" (Burpee)
Beans, "Romano" (Italian Pole) (Burpee)***
Beans, "Turtle Black" (saved seed)
Cabbage, "Tenersweet F1" (Johnny's)
Carrot, "Scarlet Nantes" (Burpee)tape
Cucumber, "Marketmore 76" organic (Johnny's)
Eggplant, "Black Beauty Eggplant" organic (Seeds of Change)
Garlic
Kale, "Dwarf Blue Curled Vates" (Burpee)
Lettuce, "Burpee Bibb" (Burpee)
Lettuce, "Black Seeded Simpson" (Burpee)tape
Lettuce, "Giant Caesar" (Burpee)
Onions, Bunching, "Guardsman" (Johnny's)***
Pepper, "Yankee Bell" organic (Johnny's)
Pumpkin, "Dill's Atlantic Giant"
Spinach, ESPINACA Big Ruffles Hybrid (Burpee)
Tomato, "Bellstar" organic (Johnny's)
Tomato, "Brandywine" organic(Johnny's Selected Seeds)
Tomato, "Five Star Grape F1" (Johnny's)
Watermelon, "Crimson Sweet" (Johnny's)
Zucchini, "Dark Star" organic (Seeds of Change)

Herbs
Basil, "Genovese" organic (Johnny's)
Chives, Allium schoenoprasum (Burpee)
Cilantro, ""Coriandrum sativum" (Burpee)
Dill, "Bouquet" organic (Johnny's)
Parsley, "Single Italian Plain-Leafed" (Burpee)
Thyme, Thymus vulgaris (Burpee)
(There is already plenty of chives, oregano, spearmint and thyme growing in the garden.  Need to buy a rosemary plant.)

Flowers - Annuals
Ageratum, Ageratum houstonianum "Tall Blue Planet" (Johnny's)
Alyssum, "Carpet of Snow" (Burpee)
Alyssum, "Royal Carpet" (Burpee)
Cleome, "Queen Mix" (Burpee)
Cosmos, "Sensation Mix" (Burpee)
Foxglove, "Excelsior Hybrid Mix" (Burpee)
Marigold, Yellow (saved seed)
Marigold, Yellow and Red Stripes (saved seed)
Milkweed,  Ascelepias curassavica "Blood Flower" (Magic Wings)
Rudbeckia, Rudbeckia hirta "Indian Summer" (Johnny's)
Sunflower, "Mammoth" (Burpee)
Verbena, Verbena bonariensis (Johnny's)
Zinnia, "Cut and Come Again" (Burpee)
Zinnia, "Purple Prince" (Burpee)
Zinnia, "Zahara Scarlett" (Burpee)

Flowers - Perennial
Lavender, "True Lavender" Lavandula angustifolia (Burpee)
Poppy, "Oriental Poppy" Amapola Oriental Pizzicato Mix (Burpee)
Purple Coneflower, "Echinacea" (Ferry-Morse)

See Seed List 2013 and Running List of Winners

Fertilization Schedule

Trees and Shrubs

Lemon Trees - May 3, 2013
                        June 27, 2013 (every six weeks until October)

Blueberries - Apr. 24, 2013 (early spring)

Roses - April 2013 - before new growth,  or after a killing frost
             Mid-to-late May
             Mid-July
            
Azaleas and Rhododendrons - Apply in late fall after a hard freeze or early spring
Hollies - late fall
Fruit Trees - late February to Mid-March
Hydrangeas - twice during the summer, not after August

Vegetables

Tomatoes - at time of planting, when first fruit sets, and then every week to 10 days

Soil Test Samples

Now that I know how important the pH of the soil is for growing any particular thing, I'm going to need a lot of tests done, because I want to grow so many different things. I wonder if I should buy my own soil test kit?

I suppose the best time to test the soil would be in September, that way I can get the beds ready for spring, or I can plant something in the fall, before winter.

• Front beds (3) azaleas, roses, hollies
• Blueberries
• Strawberries and raspberries
• Vegetable garden - large
• Vegetable garden - small
• shaded part of yard/shade garden
• Perennial garden
• Asparagus bed

Need to Clean Things Up - Front of House

 

 

I have so much work to do up front:  Besides pruning the azaleas, I have to lay down new weed cloth before I can mulch, because the gardens are being over-run with grass, mint, weeds, and lily-of-the-valley.

 

I also need to get those new trellises painted so I can tie the climbing rose to it.  It's been spilling all over the place for the last couple of years.

 

And I need to do something about all the mint growing by the rosebush.  It looks like it's going to choke the bush if I don't get to it soon.

 

I'm not sure what to do with our walk-way.  It really needs to be replaced, as the bricks are crumbling and it's overgrown with weeds.  Maybe next year.

May To-Do List

• Plant rest of seeds (cucumber)
• Fertilize shrubs - roses, hollies, azaleas, blueberries,
• mulch garden beds
• harden off seedlings
• transplant seedlings
• transplant perennials
• Clean out crowded, over-grown garden beds
• Lay out any weed cloth
• Mulch around trees
• Prune azaleas, PJM's after bloom

Hardening Off

After it was suggested that my plants have "fungus mites", I was told to start bringing my seedlings out into the light and air.  So, I decided to start hardening them off.

 

 

I know the goal of hardening off is to get the young plants gradually used to hotter and colder temperatures.  The other night, I left the plants out until it reached 50F.  The tomato plants looked like they were cringing:

They did recover, and I've been putting them outside and keeping them there until the temperature hit 48F.  When I brought the seedlings in, the eggplant seedlings, cantaloupe seedlings and cucumber seedlings didn't look so hot.  They looked very pale, and like they were losing their green color.

I went on line to see if I could find out more about hardening off.  I learned that certain plants should not be kept outside in temperatures below 60F, because they are tender.  I also read that the hardening off process should begin a week or 2 before planting day.

I have decided to bring the plants in when it gets down to 60F, and take a couple of weeks to fertilize the plants a bit.  I am starting with Super Thrive.

Recommendations Taken From Washington State University

1. Harden off gradually, so that seedlings become accustomed to strong sunlight, cool nights and less-frequent watering over a 7-10 day period.
2. On a mild day, start with 2-3 hours of sun in a sheltered location.
3. Protect seedlings from strong sun, wind, hard rain and cool temperatures.
4. Use an automatically opening cold frame, if you have one.
5. Increase exposure to sunlight a few additional hours at a time and gradually reduce frequency of watering, but do not allow seedlings to wilt. Avoid fertilizing.
6. Keep an eye on the weather and listen to the low temperature prediction. If temperatures below the crop's minimum are forecast, bring the plants indoors or close the cold frame and cover it with a blanket or other insulation.
7. Know the relative hardiness of various crops. Onions and brassicas are hardy and can take temperatures in the 40's. After they are well hardened off, light frosts won't hurt them. Warm-season crops such as eggplants, melons and cukes prefer warm nights, at least 60° F. They can't stand below-freezing temperatures, even after hardening off. (See chart below for more detail.)
8. Gradually increase exposure to cold.
9. Root-prune plants in flats a week before setting out. Use a sharp knife and cut down to the bottom of the flat between the plants. Water thoroughly.
10. After transplanting to the garden, use a weak fertilizer solution to get transplants growing again and to help avoid transplant shock.

Recommended Minimum Temperatures

Hardy	40° F.	Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cabbage, onions, leeks, parsley
Half-Hardy	45° F.	Celery, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, endive
Tender	50° F.	Squash, pumpkin, sweet corn
	60° F.	Cucumber, muskmelon
	65° F.	Basil, tomatoes, peppers

 

This chart has been taken from Washington State University

 

 





April To-Do List

Outside:

• Begin working and amending the soil (if it needs it)
• Add lime to the vegetable garden (it needs it this year)
• Add elemental sulfur to blueberry hedge and other "acid-loving" shrubs (if needed)
• Prune apple trees and other fruit trees BY FIRST WEEK!!!
• Weigh down branches on fruit trees to encourage wider crotch angles
• Prune rose bushes when forsythia blooms
• Fertilize rose bushes before their leaves appear
• Scatter seeds in perennial bed (poppy, foxglove, cleome)
• Continue pruning bushes that need it - most should have been done in March!
• Sow seeds indoors: 

Seeds, Indoors:

• Cucumber : April 26 (Started on April 17th, transplanted April 28)
• Tomatoes: April 12 - 19 (I started these on April 6th; by April 17, all have sprouted)
• Marigolds -French, Snowball:  April 12 - 26 (April 17)
• Marigolds - Yellow: (started April 25)
• Dahlias (Potted on April 23)
• Zinnias:  April 12 - 19 (Started on April 17th)
• Basil:  (started April 25)
• Cabbage:  (started April 25)
• Cantaloupe: (started April 25)
• Watermelon:  (started April 25)
• Bachelor's Button:  (Started April 17)

Tubers, Indoors:

• Bring out dahlia tubers and start indoors by mid-April

Update:  Today is May 6th and I still have 3 weeks before I put my plants in the garden.  When the time comes, I will determine whether I should have started any of these earlier or later.

Sowing Eggplant, Thyme, Marigold, and Pepper Seeds

I started some new plants today, and I found it was super-easy because I purchased a couple of "greenhouses".  These include the tray, a clear plastic "greenhouse dome" and 36 pellets (or "plugs").  For only $5.00 apiece at Ocean State Job Lot, this seems like the way to go!

So easy!  I filled 2 trays with warm water until the pellets expanded into little pots with soil.  Then I put a seed or two into each one, covered with a little peat moss, put on the dome and finished!  I didn't forget to label the trays, so I won't forget which plants are growing in which tray.  Then, I placed them on the heating pads in my bedroom.  And, I won't forget to take the domes off and give the plants light as soon as they begin to emerge!

What I'm growing: 

• German Winter Thyme:  14-21 days to germinate (this took 3 days with heat)
• Eggplant, "Galine" (this took 5 days with heat)
• Marigold, "Snowball":  7-14 days to germinate (this took 2 days with heat)
• Pepper, "California Wonder":  10-21 days to germinate (beginning after 7 days, but slow)

These are the thyme sees, after just 3 days.

April 7 - These thyme seedlings are now a week old, and still tiny-tiny.  I wonder how I'm supposed to thin them and transplant them, as they seem so small and delicate.  I wonder if I should have sprouted them in wet paper towels first, and then transplanted each one in its own, separate pot?  Maybe I'll try that next time.

Here are my eggplant seedlings after 7 days.  They look pretty good:

Starting Seeds - March

Indoors - March 29

• Pepper "Snapper" I actually started these on the March 18th
• Pepper "Carmen" I started these on March 18th as well.
• Eggplant "Galine"
• Thyme "German Winter Thyme"

Outdoors - As soon as soil can be worked

• Lettuce "Encore" - succession planting
• Spinach "Big Ruffles"
• Kale "Red Russian"

Outdoors - scatter seeds in perennial bed, end of March

• Foxglove "Camelot"
• Poppy "Corn Poppy"
• Cleome
• Snapdragon

March - To Do List

1. Send soil samples to UMass.  Take samples from perennial bed, vegetable gardens, orchard, blueberry hedge, apple trees and front gardens.  This can also be done in September; actually, it's better to do in the fall when the lab is less busy and well before anything is planted.
2. Prune butterfly bushes, hydrangeas, forsythia, blueberry bushes, and apple trees.
3. Purchase more self-watering containers.
4. Clean tools (if they weren't cleaned in the fall)
5. Start seeds indoors (see list)
6. Start cool weather plants as soon as soil reaches ____ degrees, and as soon as soil can be worked.
7. Clean out garden beds.
8. Scatter flower seeds in perennial bed:  cleome, poppies, foxglove, snapdragon.
9. Take pictures of everything!
10. Clean out/organize shed, basement and garage.

Seeds - Indoors:

• Peppers:  early March
• Eggplant:  late March
• Thyme:  late March

Seeds - Outdoors, direct sow:

• Lettuce: early spring, succession planting
• Spinach:  early spring
• Kale: early spring
• Green Onions: early spring
• Foxglove:  late March, early April
• Poppies:  late March, early April
• Snapdragons:  late March, early April
• Cleome:  late March Early April

Running List of Winners

Last year was pretty eye-opening.  Gardening is not just a lot of work, but it requires a lot of knowledge and skill.  The number one reason why I am keeping this journal is so that I don't forget what I've learned.

One of the things that I am doing is keeping track of all those flowers and vegetables that I really enjoyed.  Perhaps I'll try them again in the future.  I suppose this will be a running list!

1. Bean, snap - "Bush Blue Lake" 274 - Burpee.  So easy to grow, so plentiful and delicious!
2. Sunflower - "Mammoth" - Burpee.  Beautiful to look at, easy to grow.  Lovely in vases, good for gifts.
3. Zinnia - "Rose Pinwheel" - Burpee.  Pretty.
4. Zinnia - "Exquisite" - Burpee. Like the name says!

What I Plan to Grow

Vegetables

• Cucumber - (hybrid) pickling, "Jackson Classic" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Cucumber - (hybrid) slicing, "Corinto" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Lettuce - "Encore Letuce Mix" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Tomato - (hybrid) "Five Star Grape" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Tomato - "Bellstar" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Tomato - (heirloom) "Yellow Pear" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Pepper - (hybrid) "Snapper" -Johnny's Selected Seeds (none of these survived)
• Pepper, sweet - (hybrid) "Carmen" - Johnny's Selected Seeds (only one seedling survived)
• Beans, snap - "Fresh Pick", bush -  Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Beans, dry - "Midnight lack Turtle" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Beans, Italian pole - "Romano" - Chase C. Hart Co.
• Zucchini, yellow - (hybrid) "Goldy" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Zucchini - (hybrid) "Dunja" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Eggplant - (hybrid) "Galine" -Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Pumpkin - (hybrid) "Charisma" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Watermelon - (hybrid) "Little Baby Flower" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Cabbage - (hybrid) "Tendersweet" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Onion, bunching - "Guardsman" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Corn, sweet - "Early Golden Bantam" - Plantation Products, Inc.
• Spinach - (hybrid) "Big Ruffles" - Burpee (old seed)
• Kale - "Red Russian" - Burpee (old seed)
• Canteloupe - ?? - from Carol Maybrook's garden
• Watermelon - ?? - from Carol Maybrook's garden
• Tomato - (heirloom) - from Lee Fanelli's garden

 

Flowers

• Foxglove - (hybrid) "Camelot Mix", pelleted -Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Poppy - "Corn Poppy" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Zinnia - "Thumelina" - Plantation Products, Inc.
• Zinnia - "Pinwheel Mix" - Burpee
• Zinnia - "Fruit Smoothie Mix" - Burpee
• Zinnia - "Zahara Mix" - Burpee
• Aster - "Giant Princess Mix" - Burpee
• Cleome - "Queen Mix" - Burpee
• Cleome - "Lynn Puffer"
• Bathelor's Buttons - "Blue Boy" - Burpee
• Canterbury Bells - "Calycan Mixed Colors" - Plantation Products, Inc
• Marigold - (hybrid) "Snowball" - Burpee
• Marigold - "Lemondrop" - Plantation Products, Inc.
• Marigold - "Dwarf French Double Mixed Colors" - Plantation Products, Inc.
• Sunflower - "Autumn Beauty" - Burpee
• Sunflower - "Vanilla Ice" - Burpee
• Sunflower - (hybrid) "Aztec Gold" - Burpee
• Sunflower - (hybrid) "Chianti" - Burpee
• Dahlias - see Dahlia list
• Moonflower - "Lynn Puffer"

 

Herbs



• Basil - "Genovese" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Thyme - "German Winter Thyme" - Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Cilantro - "Calypso" -Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Parsley - "Giant of Italy" -  Johnny's Selected Seeds
• Dill - "Mammoth" - Burpee (old seed)

Now I have to go through my notebook to make sure I know where each of these plants will be planted.  I also need to determine when to plant the seeds and make a chart.  I will consult my books, the seed packets, and Johnny's seed catalogue.  I need to do this by the middle of March.