Growing Onions

cando I've found that beans and peas transplant great. I like to start my first round early so I can get them in the ground and gone. I plant the second round about the same time as the first but only outside. That way I don't waste any good growing time. As a matter of fact I think I start nearly everything in the house first. That way I'm not wasting any garden space.

cando1 - I started peas indoors for the first time this spring, and am glad I did because only 50% of the seeds grew. The seedlings were transplanted into the garden a few days ago and seem to be doing great.

As Yehudith said, this is a good way to not waste garden space.

Isn't that insane? I've noticed really bad germination on peas. I planted 72 Alaska's and only 6 came up. I put a lot down to only using heirlooms, but... It really seems to be variable based on variety. Wando was Ok but nothing to write home about. Corne De Belier was so spotty and pathetic I'm just going to replant the lot. De Grace, everyone came up. I got them all at the same time from Baker Creek and treated them all the same. Go figure.

yehudith - the ones I sowed indoors were "Alaska" they were purchased from WMart and planted the next day so I know they were fresh. I've had poor results with WMart seeds before, but felt compelled to buy these because the year-old Wando seeds I direct seeded on Feb 17th only grew twenty plants from two full packages! Thankfully, I managed to sucessfully transplant them into single row. "Alaska" sprouted 22 seeds out of 30 that were set. I will plant the rest in the fall.

The "Burpee Early" peas I set in the garden on Feb 18th sprouted really well and I'm hoping they will begin blooming soon. They are growing under hoop-loops nearest the camera in this photo.

The Alaska's that sprouted are doing well, probably won't see blossoms until May. I've been told that germination with heirlooms tends to be spotty. You're lucky to get 50%. I've seen that with some things I've planted, but not all. I've managed to get my hands on some really old old varieties, read 13th cent, from sources in Europe. I can't wait to see how they do.

Speaking of.... You know what's happening with tomatoes don't you? When we went into Iraq we gave the farmers aide, but only if they would grow the hybrid seed we gave them. This meant they had to stop growing their heirlooms with all the genetic diversity and adaptability they offered to grow Better Boy and Jersey Beefsteaks. This has put these old varieties in danger of extinction. Thank G-d some people, mainly Iraqis immigrating to US and gardening soldiers have brought seed here to the States. Baker Creek and Johnny's seeds has some. I can't help but urge people to plant to keep these old varieties going. It just makes me want to cry that we could be so stupid.

yehudith - I didn't know that about tomatoes being grown in Iraq. Yes, whoever came up with such an idea did make a stupid mistake. If you and I and other enlightened individuals were in charge of such decisions, this would never have happened. I sometimes think the people at the USDA have never gardened in their collective lives!

Is "Alaska" an heirloom pea? If so, I'll try saving some seed. I am "European" (from England) - which heirlooms are you growing? Perhaps I would recognize the names of them. What are now called "heirlooms" are those vegetables we ate every day and grew in our garden when I was a child.

"I've been told that germination with heirlooms tends to be spotty. You're lucky to get 50%."

Well, I beg to differ, yehudith. I've been growing and saving seeds from OP's/"heirlooms"/heritage vegetables and flowers for nearly 30 years and can definitely state the 50% germination rate is a highly off track. Germination of seeds is not dependent on the plants origin or history, nor necessarily the variety. Germination results are dependent on soil types/temperature, age of seed, how they were stored, how they are sown, etc. This is true with any plant, be it an heirloom or modern day hybrid. It's very misleading to make a statement like "heirlooms offer poor germination rates".

"When we went into Iraq we gave the farmers aide, but only if they would grow the hybrid seed we gave them."

I wouldn't use "we" to mean the U.S., you might want to rephrase that as Big Agribusiness, or more importantly corporations like Monsanto, et al. And it certainly didn't happen only in Irag but many other countries, usually the poorer/third world areas (Africa being the worst hit).

Good for you to grow heirlooms and OP's. Although not as many are as available as in years past in the seed catalogs hundreds, if not more, are still being made available through many of the seed banks, seed-savers groups like Seed Savers Exchange, Seeds of Trust, Seeds of Diversity, Southern Seed Legacy, and many many others.

Honeybee, your new hoops look GREAT in your beds. I think you made a good choice getting those! They're perfect!

Best!
Shoe

Sorry Honeybee, I was typing as you were posting...

Yes, "Alaska" pea is an heirloom so save seeds from it. Matter of fact it originally came from your home country, England. Thomas Laxton was into breeding many peas (my favorite being Laxton's Progress #9) and created Alaska although under another name.

Hope this helps.
Shoe

Shoe,

Thank you, they were a good choice. I plan to purchase more as funds allow. I have a plan in mind that will enable me to use them in a different way than in the photo so they can be used across a 36" wide bed. I'll have to see if the plan works before sharing the idea.

Under the other hoops, in the above photo, are eight broccoli plants. It's so nice to see them growing without bug-holes - I just hope they head-up before the warm weather returns for good. Incidentally, where did our nice weather go? It's in the 40's again today - brrrrr!

I picked more asparagus this morning. Even though voles ate many of the roots this past winter, I have a bigger crop of asparagus than years past - go figure. (shrug) Maybe it was because I was thinking of giving up on asparagus, and they read my mind! LOL

"Maybe it was because I was thinking of giving up on asparagus, and they read my mind! LOL"

Heheheh, yeh, scare 'em to death, eh? That'll kick them in gear.

Cold here, frost/freeze warning tonight, too.

Off to pot up stuff in the g-house. Back later.
Happy Day to all...

Shoe

Bee,
Broccoli and cauliflower and cabbages stage beach volleyball tournaments when the weather dips to the 40s!

Shoe - and I was typing as you were, too.

I recognize "Laxton's Progress" - I think that's what we must have grown in the early 1950's. Don't know if it was #9 - I was eight years old in 1952, which was when I started gardening. I'll try to save seed from "Alaska" and let y'all know if they taste like the ones we used to eat way back then!

Gymgirl - sorry, your analogy flew right over my head.

I watched a few amateur beach volleyball games when I lived in Palm Beach County, but no crucifers were on the teams. (giggle)

My mother's from Cambridge! Seriously, and I don't mean Mass.

Alaska's not only an heirloom, its one of the early English peas. Its original name was Earliest of All and was bred by Laxton in 1883. The name was changed to Alaska when in was picked up by the American seed merchants about the time of Seward's Foley (when we bought Alaska from the Russians). The only thing it had to reccomend it was the fact that its very cold hardy so it can be started early and its dwarf habit.

I'm actually trying right now to put in the garden at our "new" house. Its going to be all heirloom, preferably pre-1900 heirlooms. I want to grow the really obscure things like sea kale, skirit, chinese artichokes etc. I know, I'm mad as a hatter, but I enjoy the search. I'm growing aisian heirlooms as well.

I've found some Prince Albert peas which actually were introduced long before Victoria became queen but you know what happens to names. Scarlett Globe radishes (1881) are in the ground now along with French breakfast (1865). Some Red Marconi Peppers (1885) sprouted. I've been searching for some sweet peppers that have been around since 1820's and I've been looking for Champion of Englands. I found some Crimson flowered and am on the trail of Ne Plus Ultra. I'm growing a variety of Lacinato Kale that goes back to the 1700's. I'm thinking of putting in some Couve Tranchuda since I've found seed. Also, some Victoria rhubarb. I swear, the hunt is more exciting and fun than the growing. Well almost. Oh and I've found seed for some old strawberries, but I don't know if I'll be able to get my hands on them. I've got gobs on my list, its just a matter of finding seed and room to put them.

I'd give anything to break into the RHS seed bank. Oh my L-rd, I quiver just thinking about it.

Yes, I know, mad as a hatter.

Ok. I'm gonna take a stab: RHS = Royal Heritage Society?

Close. Royal Horticultural Society.

yehudith - thank you for sharing such an interesting history of various vegetables. Please keep us posted as to how well they do.

This morning, I hung up some old CD's above the peas to (hopefully) keep the birds away. I still don't know why so few actually sprouted - my garden room has been very cool because I didn't turn on the central heating this winter.

Mine are wrapped up in row cover thank G-d. I looked out into the garden this a.m. and what to my wandering eye did appear, but a miniature herd of four baby deer. They were munching and pooping and consuming with speed til I spotted their deed. A bang at the window and off through our wood. I wish they new better, they should oh yes they should. Of course the dogs were passed out cold inbed with my husband. I've got all the azaleas in cages (Gardener's Supply) I'm determined to get flowers on them, they have buds this year.

...and, though you've shooed them off this day, they'll no doubt return for more garden play. You see, they've spotted a hoofers delight in Yehudith's garden with such goodies in sight! Sweet peas from Alaska and Marconi's so red, you'd think the growers would be feasting instead! Alas, the dear gardeners their slumbers do sleep, whilst this wandering herd on the bounty doth feast! 'Til what to their sentried ears do they hear, but a bang at the window -- and they dash off in fear!

And, as poor Yehudith surveys the scene, the cloven-hoofed thieves with their senses so keen, know that though but a munch was gotten this day, the moon and the sun will see them at play -- again -- when they can!

Gymgirl - you crack me up!

yehudith - unfortunately, she is right - now they have discovered "free eats" they'll be back!

Why the deer don't jump over our fence is a mistery - they pass by on the other side. My neighbor has them in her front yard eating bird seed early in the mornings.

^^_^^

We usually don't have them. They walk right past. I think I know what it is. Our previous owner never botherd to pick up all the fallen tree limbs (don't get me started) and they were stacked up against the back fence that they walk along.
They won't go over a wide barrier because they don't have good depth perception. Well, when we had the back yard cleared and graded (still have the dratted trees) they now have a good jump. I have all my beds wrapped up so they didn't get my plants, but we've new grass coming up and they were after the buds on the branches of the forsytia we had hauled out the other weekend. Man that was a job!! I'm turning that area into veggie beds and and asparagus bed. Now to start spraying the Liquid Fence, Bonnies past guarding the yard.

yehudith - you are correct. Deer will not jump over a barrier if they can't see where they will land.

Keep us posted as to whether or not the Liquid Fence works - just incase the deer around our neighborhood realize what a tasty feast they are missing in our garden.

I have to disagree with this one HoneybeeNC. My family lives on the coast in NC and we have seen deer jump off the bridge because they get so spooked. The end result is quite tragic.....

Key word there is "Spooked". on their own they wouldn't jump.
My brother put up a fence made from fancy cement blocks. It is 5 feet high. Before deer ate everything in his yard. Not a deer in there in 5 years & now a beautiful yard. They won't go where they can't see.

LOVIE2 - what a shame the deer get so frightened they jump off the bridge :(

A deer that is not in a "frightened state" will not jump over something when it can't see where it will land. Neither would I!

On Prince Charles estate they have a double wire fence. The fences are parallel and placed 2 feet apart. No problems with deer because of their depth perception problem.