Winter Sowing - 2010 - things rolling right a long

Yah See! And I was just gonna cut em' open. I completely forgot about just cutting the upside "Vs" and opening them to vent the system when it gets warmer!

Thanks, Steph!

I'll have 4 round and 3 square ones for the tomato deep rooting experiment!

Wahoo!!! Gymgirl, you just formed another thought in my head. : ) I can use some of the used tree nursery pots (10 gal size) to plant the determinate types of tomatoes. That would also make the soil warm quicker her in our PNW. So I will start out with the soil about 1/2 way up and add soil as the tomato grows. What do you think? I can set these around the yard and not use up all my raised beds with so many tomato plants. It's been 2 years since I've grown Matt's Wild Cherry because it took up so much room. One plant filled a 4 x 8 raised bed and went 9 feet tall. I had to keep pruning it to keep it from spilling over into the neighboring beds. Those are very tasty tomatoes.

Valley Girl,
Not only do I think that you are going to have a fantastic year with your tomatoes, and that I will be receiving some 'a Matt's seeds, but you've also given ME an idea of how to create a MUCH-NEED trellis system over my potting area with that branch you've got stretched overhead!

I am just about to burst!

What you proposed to do with the 10 gallon tree containers is EXACTLY what I'm talking about. I'd start filling in at 1/3 rather than 1/2 way, if the seedling's strong enough. The container will provide warmth and protection till it grows up higher.

"You've got it, Toyota!"

And, don't forget to post the success story pics, please!

This message was edited Jan 20, 2010 1:40 PM

It's actually a home made pipe frame for hanging/storing bicycles (7 ft. tall x 8 ft. long). I found it at a yard sale. Everyone including my husband thought I lost my mind, paid $2.00 for it and he had to come with the pickup to take it home. He likes it now. : )
Gymgirl, my Matt's Wild Cherry seed will be here next week. I ordered the larger size so I can share. Let me know if you would like some. : ) Make sure you give it lots of space. : )

Lynn,

I don't see the picture of your pipe fram bike rack? Do you elevate it over one of your raised beds for the tomatoes to climb on?

I just started reading this thread. I think I'm going over to the recycling center to see what plastic jugs I can find. I'll also pick up some sterile potting soil on my way back and get on the Winter Sowing Band Wagon!

Before I get left in the dust ;^)

ValleyLynn, thanks for the seed offer, but my growing space is extremely limited. I'm trying to figure how to grow UP since all the OUT space is just about all taken!

Valleylynn, I really just need to figure out how 2 construct a PVC A-Frame like for a swing so t can put it over my line of tomatoes. Then I could take it down at the end of the growing season. I already have clips for the maters. Just throw guide lines over top of the frame.

Creekside, Walmart has the big bags of MG for $5. something. I got two bags yesterday. They have them in the outside plant area still on pallets.
The pipe fram is hidden by the one tomato plant. : ) You can see a little bit of the top in the picture.
Nice part about Matt's is that they trellis really well. I think I'm going to grow it on our wire boundry fence this year. Keep the raised beds for some other things. : ) You can also put up one of those nylon garden nets on a wooden fence for a trellis, we put one on each side of the frame (like a swing set frame). Works great.
Gymgirl they have fittings that will work for doing that with the PVC pipe. Just be sure to put caps on the bottom of the legs so they don't sink into the dirt as the plants get heavier. We put small blocks of wood under the bicycle frame.

This message was edited Jan 20, 2010 10:57 PM

Valleylynn my maters are all heirloom indeterminates and usually average 7-8 ft. The fruits are beefsteak size, and will snap those vines in a minute. I'm inclined 2 wanna find an old swing frame!

Karen, you are da W/S guru, or at least ours. I have read all of the wintersowing threads, and they are many. And I have Trudi's site on quick click, so you know how much I've read on there. LOL. I've gotten so many good tips from everyone. But I have to tell you, you have simplified it for me so very much. And I thank you for all of your patience. And to everyone else, thanks a million for all of your input.

valleylynn, was that MG potting mix for 5.00? Awesome price.

Oh and forgive me, Terese, thank you so much for keeping these threads going. And for all of your wonderful photos and links and advice.

I'm going to have the purtiest garden around. :)

Debbie

Debbie -- i too have learned a lot from Karen's "quick to the point" answers. It's the 'no nonsense-ness'.

I find 2 litre bottles and juice jugs difficult to cut too, I think those are a good option for drilling or melting holes into. Its just too easy for a knife to slip- been there, done that!

Oh, Terese, you're a pro now. You could field the questions yourself. Debbie, just pay it forward in the future. That works to everyone's advantage.

Karen

I think i'm able to answer most the questions, especially if they are close to my zone.... some of the southerner's questions i'd leave for someone who'd know for sure.

Ya'll really don't wanna know how my finger is. The one that I almost sliced off cutting winter sowing jugs has healed quite nicely, thank you, but.....

On December 22, I tripped and fell over an improperly parked pallet dolly in a Supermarket, while holding a small glass bowl. Small nick on top of the big knuckle on my left index finger. Bled like a stuck pig! But. Go home, neosporin, bandage, good to go, finger all healed up...

Fast forward to January 11, 2010 when I'm getting the finger x-rayed cause I can't bend it without excruciating pain. And touching the top was like hitting a raw nerve..

Fast forward to January 14, 2010 when I'm under general anesthesia in surgery having that finger cut open so they can fish out whatever's in there that shouldn't be...a piece of the glass bowl...and a big glob of something trying to cover over the glass like the pearl in the oyster...

Fast forward to TODAY, when I can hardly bend my finger at all, and cannot GRIP anything with my left hand because I'll rip the stitches....

Fast forward to the day when all my PAIN is gone, AND my SUFFERING is over, 'cause all I can do is stare longingly out the window into the yard that I can't go play in very well...

Yeah. My finger....

Linda, who is NOT doing a happy dance now.

Well, at least you know why it was hurting! Did you cut any tendons or nerves? Hopefully not, so your recovery can be faster. Do you need any physical therapy? Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Seems like you already have lots of containers sown, and even sprouts. You're way ahead of most of us.

Karen

K,
The Store Claims rep who told me this morning to be glad I had a hand at all, since there were people who had lost theirs in accidents....

I hung up and thought of all the choice pieces of my mind I was gonna call back to give her, but (TGIC), I decided those were parts I couldn't afford to lose, especially since my claim is still open and active....

You are so good at making me laugh Gymgirl. I'm not laughing at you, but with you. May you be able to perform the 'Happy Dance' soon. I can't believe the Store Claims Rep said that!!! She needs to take a class in how to help people.

I did 9 more containers today... i'll post more later. they are now out in the rain.

tcs, what's your total now? Maybe I shouldn't ask, I'll just feel bad because I only have 10 done.

Well, Karen,
Your kick-butt, no-nonsense approach to Winter Sowing has made a ONE-handed believer outta me!

Ya'll stop drooling.....

I think I saw a ROOT growing outta the jug on the left in the pic above. Anyone else see it too, or is that a piece of my mind that I lost this morning?

Close your mouth or a fly will get in...

Bye.

Go Linda! I finally got my seeds sorted today! LOL

Gymgirl....ouchie. you're making my finger hurt! gosh...I know it doesnt seem like it now but you are lucky that it didnt do more damage. i'm sure we could all tell you horrow stories...but we'll be nice. ;) but you know, I think I'd be calling that store's claim rep's boss. there's no excuse for her remarks. IMHO anyhow.

no WS here yet. i'm just lurking. I think I was about 6 weeks too early last year so as much as i am anxious to get started...i'm living vicariously thru ya'll right now.

but gosh...ain't it fun?

and also because I am just now extracting seeds from what I saved last year.

yikes. that was harder than I thought it would be.

here is what i did today.

Agastache, orange
Veronica, Iron Weed
Hyssopus
Verbena Hastata, Pink Spires
Huerchera, Tiramisu
Huerchera, Caramel
Veronica, Darwin's Blue
Hardy Ageratum
"Butter cups" - no idea what these are... the lady i took the seeds from says she calls them "Buttercups".
it's perennial in zone4, and does well in the shade. I never did get a pic of them.


that only has me at 23.

ok, something to give yall a laugh out loud....

Last night I stop by one of my garden club buddies house to pick up more milk jugs.... not thinking about how many they said they had for me (I should have taken the pick up truck) so here I go in my little 4 door car, get there and he is opening the back of his pick up truck and there are 50+ jugs in there. So there I go stuffing them in the back seats until I can no longer get the door shut.... so next open the front passenger door to pile in more, (all the while wishing I had emptied out the trunk where I have other milk jugs stored....) and more and more thinking how in the world am I going to drive home?????? finally come to the end of the jugs. Say thanks and good night and then comes the task of getting in the drivers seat and trying to find the floor gear shift to put it in drive..... finally find it and get it done......
thank goodness it was night so that I could see the shine of headlights to let me know at that left turn stop sign that there was a car coming.... ok coast is clear and off I go, make it home.... safe and sound but this old girl isn't going to be doing that anymore...LOL

I just wonder what the cars that had headlights shine in on me where thinking, LOL

Janet

I just went out and took a picture it is blurry as the dogs got around me... but it will at least give you an idea of some of my jugs waiting to be worked on....

Janet

Holy heck, Linda. You don't have babies in those jugs, they're teenagers. Yep, looks like a root there.

nannieb: Why do you say you were 6 weeks too early last year?

Only 10 jugs done here. I haven't taken inventory in my yard yet. I need to get out and see what I left in fall in terms of perennials, and what looks like it will survive the winter. Then I'll know how much I can sow. I do have at least a million volunteer seedlings carpeting the flower beds. Must cull those when weather breaks.

Karen

Ok, Ya'll.

I can put 'em in a jug.
I can get 'em to grow.
I can do it one-handed...

Now what 'do I do?

Thanks, Drape. I'm gonna save that line and put it with the others I came up with this morning.

This message was edited Jan 21, 2010 11:28 PM

Girl, you better take care of yourself. Take a pain pill and relax. LOL

"Now what 'do I do?" You stick 'em in the ground and stand back. Easy, huh?

Karen

I've been WS like crazy since last Oct. I'm officially out of benches for more trays and pots of seeds so I'm already cleaning up the nursery display area and moving mature plants off the benches so I can get going again. Already have LOTS of lil green sprouts.

You can check out my Winter Sowing '09-'10 journel to see what all I've sewn so far. I'll be updating it today with all the new sprout sightenings.

Peggy

Oh my goodness, Janet! Were they not in big garbage bags?? I would've been so laughing that driving would've been out of the question! LOL

Janet... looks like you hit the jackpot.

hi terese
ive w/s a few flower seeds today such as calendula, violas/pansies, agastache and poppy . im keeping a journal on google docs as to what specifically ive sown day by day..ive decided i am not going to go all out like i have done in the past and just do one day at a time hopefully being more focused and being more selective.
ive never w/s petunias or tomatoes but i will try some probably next week. i will indoor sow those two for comparison.

pam sue