2014 Seed Starting, Part 3

You know, Kathy, I think it's wonderful that the DGweb is sooo wide and big, but sometimes I wish we were close enough to each other that we could hold the occasional "barn-raising." Like for you right now, a bunch of us together - those who know how to do what they're told - could do a bunch more in a weekend than each of us working individually in our own gardens.

All to say, I wish I could jet-pack out there and lend you my hands.

Evelyn, I'm sorry; I just saw your question. The truth is, I don't know what these sponges are. They came in a compartment-ed tray, and I thought they were peat. They are not, and so far they show no signs of disintegrating. I think they'll probably take about a decade to do so.

I really appreciate this thread as well. Even when I feel as though I am behind EVerybody, in understanding as well as in experience and actions. I think it's the veg aspect: for years I was very focused on ornamentals. Then we moved, and I have a large (to me) expanse of soil.

I have had overwhelming, literally, success with starting my tomatoes and one variety of sunflower. Also my cukes, but I doubt they're going to like transplantation. So-so with peppers. But guardian flowers and herbs? Not a chance! Obviously I am not providing right conditions, but it's a bit startling, the difference.

Turtles, that's what happened to me when I changed zones. I had to learn the basics all over again, what had worked before was a disaster here. Less heat + less light= mold. Yuck!!!

Oh boy, do I know about too much to do, too little time!!! Like Kathy, but not to the same degree, I'm reclaiming 'lost' areas one by one. This year spring chores are telescoped into a fraction of the usual time- super cold spring made early bloomers late, but then they came and went in a flash. Suddenly the garden is bursting into life-- all the late-to-emerge are showing now, so it's safe to start working those areas. I'm just getting to tasks that would normally have been done a month ago, but not out of procrastination. This year it's Mother Nature that put the pressure on.

So I'm getting help. I had a little windfall this year, and I'm using some of it to play catchup. I put an ad in a local paper for a garden helper a few hours a week, and got about 50 calls. I've been trying people out, and even doubling up to get stuff done. So far, no one is completely right, but most have been useful, and a couple are good possibilities for specific kinds of long term help.

We even got a start on organizing the barn, which contains bins and rafters full of wood and tools going back to previous owners many decades ago, not to mention DH's collections of cast-offs. Things we actually use get piled in wherever there's room, which has become more and more scarce. But not after today! Yippee!!! That guy is definitely on the short list, even though I doubt he'll make a great weeder. He'll be good with the chainsaw, though, and clearing out rampant vines and other woody invasives in areas I pretend not to see.

Soooo, back on topic, although I got a lot planted this weekend, there are still far too many cell packs and little pots here and there. So I'm taking some back inside out of the wind that will topple them and the sun that will dry them out, and putting them safely on the self-watering trays for the days I won't be here. The ones staying outside will also get watering trays, in dappled sun, hopefully in enough shelter. Right now my covered stand would have been a huge help... I have to figure something out!

Drat, meant to start the cukes and squash! Grrrrr...

I like your auditioning idea! It's brilliant. If the wind ever falls on me...

Part of my trouble is that I'm just starting to build outside the house. Any ornamentals I have are in pots, and we just 2 days ago finished my first veg bed. I needed it 18" high for my abilities. I did already have a raised-on-legs 2x6 bed from a kit, so it got lettuces and peas. My tomatoes all go in pots, but I need somebody else to go collect soil+compost, as I no longer drive, let alone drag a trailer. Sometimes it's hurry up and wait, and I don't mean on Mother Nature!

I also can't do anything in ground out front because (the rest of) the porch still needs to come down and be rebuilt, and a ramp figured out. In the three years I've had this property I've amused myself with digging out dandelions (for the neighbors) and popping in daffodil bulbs. I call it my Daffies For Dandies program.

Oh well. Either things will grow or they won't. We'll burst with peas and tomatoes or we won't. And I guess I'll be buying annuals since I haven't been able to start them. I'm beginning to yammer; better I try to sleep. Gn.

Thanks for the encouragement turtles!!! Only things accomplished for the day so far is digging for 2 packages that were due....lol. Now it's a bit warm and I'm ready to hide in the shade, north side of the house this afternoon for weeding, shade and a cool breeze,,,,yeah!
Are you able to do perenn gardening? If so you'll have to let me know, after my garden tour I could ship you a few goodies if you like and some TBI*s (tall Bearded Iris). If you're interested let me know..... Kathy

And pam, thanks for the Platties, they're on the porch now.... Let me know when you'r ready for your box, also what is on the list....lol. Duh, where's my string.....?

You're very welcome Kathy. And thank you, yes, I'm starting on perenns again. I will remember to ask you!

It's hard to believe that now you're having to seek shade to work in.....how many days ago was it winter was roaring there?

I think we would all help out if we could for Kathy ,, Weather knows no limits ..
I been planting Vegetable Herbs Mostly , Trying to decide on a good place for Chamomille and Anthemis ..
Here's a few seedlings ;cucumber Watermelon, Pumpkin Zinnia and ?

juhur, just remember the Anthemis reseeds...just curious which color you have, the gold light lemon yellow or white? I have the gold and still wanting the other colors.... lol.....jeeze, slap my hands! LOL

Turtles....I've become a wuss..lol. Not enough clouds today.. And yes, remember to ask me in June!!!

It is from seedling , from trade , all the seed ID had said was Tinctoria ? ETC I don't know , we will see when it Blooms I am presuming it is the Golden Yellow ,, ?
I have one of the Centaruea Scabiosa about to bloom from last year ,, Those things were difficult to start ,,
Iris , rather wafting in the wind

I could look it up but I would get only the facts. ma'am. So, what is anthemis, in your experience?

Kathy, re 'becoming a wuss,' just call it becoming wise.

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/727/

I ain't Kathy , but these pages here should give you an idea
The link is the usual ,, It's time for a beer with that . lol

I'll go for the port, juhur. Then I'll read the link, thanks.

Ah. I see the "resistant to deer." 'Nuff said.

Kathy I knew you couldn't stop, I am gonna slap your hands! LOL I do love it when you say that!

Pam I'm so jealous you have all that help, if you find anyone that likes to work for free please and them my way.. My hub and kids won't work in the garden if I paid them.. I need to figure out that trick yet.. Maybe the harvests will do the trick, at least lure their bellies in at the least ;)

Been so dang busy, went to my first DG Roundup on Sunday, all I have to say is wow they are awesome!! :D

Pam and Kathy ~ Thank you so much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to share all of your seed-starting experiences with us!

I know that I don't go online as often as many of you do, as I have a very slow landline as well as a full computer with too many pictures, so even when I take the laptop to the library with their fast connection, some of my functions are still slow...yeah, and sometimes it is the website....

And the rest of you, too...Robin, 13 Turtles, Ju, Shorty_CA, Becky, Caroline and Celene...this is always nice to read of your successes, as well as the not so successful..THANK YOU!!! ( I hope I did not leave anyone out...)

evelyn, you added soo much too!!!! Thanks!

Yeah...what Evelyn and Kathy said!

Turtles, did you get any new growth from your Hydrangea and Hebe?

Becky, I still don't see any germination action from the Roselle, I'm hoping it just takes a long time to germinate and I don't really suck at this (sowed April 27).

Hiya. No, the hebe appears dead at the starting gate, still just brittle sticks, as with one of the rosé bushes. The hydrangea though -- there is hope. Leaves are starting that I think belong to it and not a weed! And it's in a small pot, amazing (to me) given the winter we had, I'm really hoping, as it was a gift from a dear friend. Thanks for asking!
.

Sorry to hear about the Hebe and the rose. Everything I had overwintering in pots all got freeze-dried.

Sorry about the freeze dried plants :~(. It's too bad "just add water" won't work in this case.

It's amazing what was lost this winter, and how much. Well established trees, 10 yr old perennials, and on and on. I don't mean mine, I mean of my gardening expert friends around here.

Lol, you bet I tried it! If in doubt...water it...

Gave most of us warmer weather for a few seasons ,, Reasons to take chances , I did , .
oh well .. poker anyone ! ..
I will ante up the first five Dandelions ! lol ?

Of course all the weather and all did was Snap Back , like a Snapdragon ???
I'm still planting Annuals , Seeing How many I can plant before June 18 . last day here for annuals , I am already running "out of Gas" though . I think I give up about the 7th ... In memory to Custer ...

Robin Mipii About $500 and a genetics kit , would work .. Bring them all back , with the ..
Some agar gel and words I can't spell beyond DNA ,,lol

Bad joke I know ..

Lol, bad jokes don't make me chuckle Ju. Cloning, don't know why didn't I think of it..I'll get right on that.

I know the running on empty feeling well. As I age, some things increase as others decrease, the only problem with that is; the list is always opposite to what you'd want. For instance, I can work half as long and get twice as tired.

Mine is like ; I feel like and have the energy to get everything done , and then all of sudden the list is twice as long ! And I only get, uh hum ,,"Half Way There " ..lol

Think wisdom, think wisdom, think wisdom...and click your heels. Then water it.

I also understand. I became disabled 20 years ago, and I still have the agenda of a 30 something. It doesn't work! If it worked I'D be working! Playing in the garden isn't work, but it sure is effort.

Ahh Turtles...God bless you for your effort, may you be blessed with twice as much payoff too!

Aw, thank you Robin. :~)

Going to start taking tomatoes out to the new bed today, before I plant them in their big pots. It has hoops, so I can close it up at night.

Have not set my tomatoes out yet either ,,slow going ..


Mipii(Robin) This ones for you , what a difference some light makes ,,lol

Same color same plant ..

First is the other up above , the others are my playing fill in the five photo spaces ,, chuckle ...

So, what you're saying is...I could make my garden look really large by repeatedly taking pictures of the same blooms in different light levels. Brilliant! Lol!

Seriously, I especially like that Iris bud rising out of the Stinging Nettle, that's a really nice pic Ju. Thanks for the bouquet, it's always appreciated.

Robin) I was hoping you would enjoy that,, This Catnip though ,, Stinging nettle is 50 ft away , the other side of the property , not that it could not walk that far though , nettle can be "Fun" .
I did that and then let it grow in the iris when I noticed the Root Borers , or iris Borers , did not like the Catnip ^_^ , Borers do not like some Marigolds either ,,
Borers just about wiped out years of my blue and White Hybrids .. I have two remaining ,,

While editing for the word not ,, Robin I like the idea of stinging nettle making blooms a look Don't touch .. he , he , mean of mind ,,,,LOL

This message was edited May 22, 2014 12:52 AM

Interesting, I have calamint that reseeds through my irises, I've never had borers. Not that I know if I would have had them anyhow. Calamint is closely related to catnip.

Sounds like a major happy discovery...everybody can benefit from some pest relief. Shows what I know though, can't tell the difference between Catnip and Stinging Nettle in a photo (inexplicably, I can in person). Really!

I have photoshop and ID trouble from the same ,, That must part of the light thing ,

"it looks this way ,now it looks that way ,!" Poof"!!!

Organic controls are good to know anyway , Every time most around here see a bug there is a loud Get The RAID can ,, pew ...

Pfg , This Buds For You !!!^_^
I know , Let me guess, Grandma's old fashioned Green Tea , you would rather have ,

Gorgeous! I do love Lupines! Sadly, the ones that bloomed their heads off last year in my garden are kaput this year. The new ones aren't ready, but there is one mature one that has taken a couple of years off, so I have hopes. At worst, there is a local nursery that will have some with blooms. I know, that's cheating...

...but our eyes need to eat too. Call it 'drive-thru beauty.'

They are stunning Juhur.

Thank you both it has been a while since these have bloomed (like a couple seasons , I am always delighted to see them .

A few questions I collected some seeds from the catkins of my Salix interior today , some say stratify some say nay , as most often from cuttings but , being me I wanted to try the seeds .

And what is the 24hr freezing method of stratifying ? anyone?

today ,

Soak 24 hours, starting in hand hot water, meaning as hot as your hand can stand. Then Deno (seeds put into a folded paper towel, then in a baggie), then in the freezer for 24 hours. It's a shortcut way to stratify that often works, but not always, depends on the plant.

Good luck!

Thank you Pfg I was thinking of trying it with a few of my weed type seeds .Stored ragwort , and such .
No info anywhere on how to grow them , because some places they are not allowed ,,
poop on all the extermination rules (but that is another story )

Thanks again , here we come experiments !

Last few days a moth Hummer came out of the Lupine plant when I put me foot near them . Today when I waked past . the moth hummer was there and came out again ,,
I know this is not the thread for that , but interesting , I'm wondering if they have nested in the Lupine ,? oops I meant roosting ,, They get together for slumber parties ..
yes the post above means I am , but eh , so is everybody these days ..


This message was edited May 24, 2014 12:07 AM