Before the rains, seeded the first major flower bed. 10’ x 4’ patch of wild bergamot, calendula, corn poppy and French marigolds. And did it rain. At least 3 inches and cold. Miserable maritime climate feeling. Night time temperatures below 10 for a week.
Last frost is a week away, but with the success of the cold stratification seeds, I decided to risk it and plant the salad box. Put in mesculan lettuce mix, zinnias and calendula yesterday.
The cold boxes are doing great. 36 days from start.
She actually opened two days ago. A few others are catching up.
Good progress on the winter sowing, spinach, calendula are up and a few others have their first sprouts. So fun and easy!
Yes it’s officially spring. So giving winter sowing another go after last year’s success. Love it. Basically mother nature does all the work. I just plant the seeds of cold hardy plants, put them in a big container and put the outside in a spot that only gets indirect sunlight. Check every couple of weeks and the seeds wake up naturally at their own pace. Once all risk of frost is passed the lids come off. Plants are ready! No lights, no leggy plants and no hardening off. Fantastic
Key is to give every thing a good cleaning first.
And good luck for the crazy year ahead.
First seed order has arrived from Richters. If it works out the veg bed will be a riot of annual colours. A brave attempt to be joyful given I need to take a year or two off of garlic , cucumbers, potatoes and maybe even tomatoes to hopefully eliminate some nasty creatures and mildew that has become problems.
And it snowed last night. A really pretty snow. I couldn’t shovel because of my shoulder. Boo hoo.
Only 68 days until spring!
I’m still trying to kick the peat habit. ecoWool is pelletized local surplus sheep’s wool. 4kg for $100 delivered right to my door. Definitely going to try it as a slug deterrent in the veg bed and around a hosta or 10.
I first want to put some out in the yard to see if any critters eat it. It could be the perfect insulation for a squirrel nest! May, may not try it for seed starting. It will have to be odour free to be in the house. Will definitely mix it into the urns this summer – nitrogen and moist – combo should really show up there.
And it re-livens me.
Overall a very mild winter. Four snow storms and we were away for two of them. Actually it was a real Maritime winter, grey, rain and mild.
Started first seeds on March 19. Cabbage, basil, sesame, peppers and tomatoes of course (Premio, yellow pear, and big beef). As they say, “see above”. And started cucumber (marketmore), kale, calendula, cannabis, black-eyed Susan’s – for Ken and other pollinators.
Of course I’ve been puttering in the yard. Finally planted the raspberries I bought last year, or the year before. The larger variety had developed significant roots, so a bit of damage in the transplanting process. I can see it’s aggressive in my garden soil. Stay tuned.
So lots of bits. Prepping to move the columnar apples so the first hole meant moved a peony, digging up some ferns, digging out and disposing of day lilies, pruning dead wood on the lilac, elderberry, kiwis. I can’t believe how wonderful it makes me feel. Happy spring.
Started first veg seeds today! Three tomatoes, big beef, golden cherry and premio. One green pepper, new ace. And the experiment for this year, dahlias from seeds; fresco and showpiece.
FarmerTO 