PNW Vegetable Gardening 2009

The glorious yet brief appearance of the sun today, pushed my brain into dealing with what 2009 may bring in terms of Spring & Summer weather, which in turn, brought to mind the veg/cutting garden and planning details.
I wondered about a few things:
1. What are you planning to grow?
2. Are you going to try something new?
3. Are you interested in sharing seed?
4. Does anyone grow something from seed so well that they'd be willing to start a larger quantity of it and share baby plants?
5. If "yes" to #4, should we plan a swap again?

I normally try not to dwell on what the weather "could" be, but due to the past 2 summers, I'm going to proceed a bit more cautiously.
Last spring was tough: that snow on 4/20 was just plain bizarre. I lost many babies that were being hardened off outside. So, I'm thinking seriously about a coldframe with heating cables as I have no greenhouse. =:0 Hope for the best but expect the worst. At least I'll be ready for the negatives...

I'm curious to know what others will be planting and planning. I'll post my list when I finalize, but I need to figure out the crop rotation for this year first. I would like to grow extras & swap, or just share.
Anyone else?

I'm going to plant several kinds of lettuce and other greens since they are a pretty safe bet no matter what the weather, unless by some weird freak chance it gets unseasonably hot for longer than normal. I got some seed for 'wrinkled, crinkled, curly cress' which sounds fun to try.

My tomatoes were a bust except for cherry and grape types last year. Juliet, which is a small fruited variety also did okay. This year, I am going to try warming up the soil with black weed cloth before planting, and I might even get some 'Cozy Coats' I think they are called...those water filled things you wrap around the plants to keep them warm on cold nights. Has anybody tried those? Are they worth it?

Don't know yet exactly what all I will grow. I have had good luck in the past with Umpqua broccoli and Detroit Beets among other things.

Oooooh, I'm almost at that stage where I can really get started. Dirt is being graded today and I'll put trees into the perimeter this week so raised box beds can be placed and filled. I've been ordering the last of the seeds... more than I need and some for next year already. I will have extras seeds to share and probably pepper/tomato plants if our indoor set up goes well.

Planning to grow? - here it will all be new for me/us so this year is an experiment.
Basil (Lettuce Leaf, Sweet, Aroma, Lemon, Super Sweet Chen)
Carrots (Baby Shin Kuroda, Scarlet Nantes, Rainbow)
Dill (Fernleaf)
Beets (Golden, Red Mix)
Lettuce (Blk Seeded Simpson, Butter Crunch, Bibb, Romaine, Mesc. Mix)
Cucumber (Sweet Slice)
Beans (Pole) (Blue Lk, Kwintus, Helga)
Peppers (8 hybrid)
Carmen, Gypsy, Marconi, Tolli's Sweet, Chervena Chushka Sweet, Jimmy Nardello,Klari Baby Cheese
Tomatoes (18 heirloom)
Chocolate Cherry, Coyote(yellow cherry), Brin De Miguet (red), Milka's Bulgarian, JD's Special C-tex, Georgia Peach, Kosovo, Sabre Ukranian, Zapotec Pleated, Tlacalula Pink, Feuerwerk, Azoychka, Lancaster County Paste, Hillbilly, Purple Calabash, Big Rainbow, Eva's Amish Stripe and Marlowe Charleston.
Zucchini - Black, patty pan
Brussel Sprouts (red, green)

I'd love to be part of a swap as we will start more than we can possibly grow this year just to make sure we can be successful. However, it will depend on our success inside getting started. I can let you know as we get going how were doing with starts so we can plan accordingly. I'll be starting flowers too if I don't get too overwhelmed with the veggies.

We're hoping to start seeds for veggies end of Feb. beginning of March so that Peppers have 10-12 weeks before transplant out and tomatoes have 7-8 weeks. I'm timid on the plant out time being April 21 but we're making plans for row coverage and protection... I'll plant one and reserve one just in case I'm wrong. We'll grow tomatoes/peppers under cover all season and see how we do with the harvest. Next year will be a better year with some experience under our belts.

Can't wait to hear what your plans are and/or comments on our proposed list.

I have No Idea what I am going to do this year, I know how fickle my area is. I don't start seeds till Feb. I have a box of them from other DGers all flowers no Veggies. My little GH is full of plants I did not get planted last year and I lost power and some frozed to death, not sure what I really lost. My house is to dark to try inside, don't have the grow light system for indoors, the kitties would destroy it anyway.
Getting a heat cable from Jim as soon as I can get down there, but that will be great when I expan the GH this summer, no help now. LOL
Wo Is Me

Tilly, that is so sad about the little frozen plants. But you can plant lots of veggies direct seeded in the garden starting later in the spring and on into the summer. That is how I do most of my planting, having no greenhouse. So don't despair even if the greenhouse is already at max capacity. I do have to start basil in a sunny window inside the house. Other than that, I support the high school horticulture program by getting tomato, pepper, and squash plants from them. The rest I plunk down seeds right straight in the soil outside. enough to allow the slugs to have some too.

Thanks Holly, But my problem is I heeded in all my new Irises in my vegie beds and have no idea where they will go. but I have my tires. Just don't know what veggies I want to plant, nobody here eats them but me, sad to say. I have a defunk family LOL
Gotta regroup.

I just put in a big order with Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. I will put the list up tomorrow. I'm to tired now and need to get some sleep. I would love to do some seed or plant trading. Great idea Katye!

I'll be straw baling the veggies again this year since the squash did so well last year, despite the wacky weather! My neighbor behind said if I help her clean out her GH I can use part of it and believe me, I'm taking her up on it. I plan to do what I always have done with veggies but hope this year something will live (besides the squash):

* Tomatoes: grape, Roma, something big...maybe Chapman again, but I'm not sure.
* Peppers: Bell ~ green, yellow, red, orange and maybe purple, and some ornamentals (Medusa, Largo Purple, Explosive Embers)
* Chiles: Ancho, Poblano, Jalapeno, Anaheim (all hybrid varieties)
* Squash: Zucchini, yellow Crookneck, Acorn, Butternut
* Green Beans
* ????? Whatever I find that looks yummy
* Sunflowers for the border, I think...maybe...not sure, and some other tall cutting flowers.

Then the potager:

* Sticking with the ol' standby herbs: Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme (ooh...I feel a song comin' on!). And spearmint, dill, fennel (maybe again...it did almost too well last year).
* Will try the salsa bed again (cross your fingers. Everything will be sown indoors, grown for a while, then put in the neighbor's GH until they're ready to pick!)
* Leeks and shallots and chives and garlic chives.
* Keeping the climbing nasturtium (via seeds from last year's plants) and calendula. Harvested SO MANY seeds from the calendula.
* Primrose lane lives in the potager...all made it through their first year and appear to be showing new growth, so BOOYA!
* Strawberries from Holly which continue to kick butt, even through the snow.

I got 6 new hydrangeas over the winter which will go out there somewhere...

That outta get me started...then there's March... = S

I have lots of 1 to 5 year old seed packages (half or less full), some of questionable viability, that I will finish off this year, but if I get anything new and exciting, I will post to share so I won't have this issue next year.

I have more strawberries (Rainier) which is a June bearing plant. They go crazy sending out runners all summer and make new babies all over the place. I have plenty to give away. I also have numerous chive plants that re-seed with a vengeance. I have never been any good at dead-heading.

So here is what I purchased last night from Baker Creek:
Asian Winged Bean
Golden Jenny Melon
Golden Wax Bean
Old Homestead (Kentucky Wonder Pole) Bean
Papa De Rola “Dove’s Breast” (Soup bean)
Dragon Tongue (Dried or Soup Bean)
Romanesco Italia Broccoli
Long Island Improved Brussel Sprouts
Golden Beet
Nero di Toscana or Black Palm Tree (loose leafed cabbage)
Tendercrisp Celery
Celeriac Ceasar
True Gold Sweet Corn
St. Valery Carrot
Shin Kuroda 5 inch Carrot
Lemon Cuke
Boston Pickling Cuke
Suyo Long Cucumber
Empress of India Nasturtium
Fragrant Delight Nicotiana
Lime Green Nicotiana
Black Peony Poppy
Di Firenze Fennel
Genovese Basil
Dill - Bouquet
Russian Tarragon
Thai Sweet Basil
Parsley Brayour
Blue Curled Scotch Kale
Orach - Red
Perkins Long Pod Okra
Red of Florence Onion
Bianca di Maggio Onion
Extra Dwarf Pak Choy
Quadrato d'Asti Rosso Red Bell Pepper
Rocky Top Lettuce Salad
Siamese Dragon Stir-Fry Mix
Five Color Silverbeet (Rainbow Chard)
Oregon Sugar Pod II (snow/snap)
Bloomsdale Long Standing Spinach
Delicata (squash)
Honey Boat Delicata (squash)
Bennings Green Tint Scallop (summer squash)
Costata Romanesco Italian Zucchini
Green Zebra Tomato
Green Grape Tomato
German Lunchbox Tomato
Cuor di Bue Tomato
Yellow Brandywine Tomato
Orange Fleshed Purple Smudge Tomato
Black Cherry Tomato
Carbon Tomato

I love the fact that they are non-hybrid and non-GMO and that they work with a small network of farmers to produce the seeds that they sell. It's a wonderful cottage industry that the Gettle Family has; which I am happy to support! www.rareseeds.com

I also will be starting and/or planting:
Golden Chard
Red Russian Kale
Red Ursa Kale
Provider Snap Bush Bean
True Platinum Sweet Corn
Royal Burgundy Bush Bean
Nantes Coreless Carrot
and a whole lot of different pepper seeds that I recieved in a swap last spring.

Come on Spring!

Not to change the subject, But has anyone heard from Gordon????
Just got a Dmail from someone who wants to get in touch with him. I lost his phone #. Any help please.

RACHEL! WHY DID YOU POST THAT LINK? WHY? WHY? WHY? I was doing so well with not buying seeds. Now...all bets are off. =:::::::: (

Tills ~ haven't seen or heard from Gordon since the GE last fall.

I hope nothing bad has happened, wish I kept his #. Thanks

Oh Sherrrrrri! I bought too! But seriously - I can share some, because Lord knows, I do not need 200+ of ANY seed.
Flowers for the cutting garden will be later. I'll need another week to figure that one out.
Here's what I will be planting veg-wise:
Carrots: Mokum, Rodelika
Peas: Super Sugar snap
Beans: Violet podded, Soleil french filet, Red Noodle (asian), Sayamusume (edemame)
Zukes: Gold Rush, Flying Saucer
Cukes: Rocky
Eggplant: Hansel
Lettuces: Tom Thumb, Little Gem, Marshall
Basil: Aroma, Siam Queen
Peppers: Black Pearl, Thai Bird, Fatalii. Ancho, Serrano, Jalapeno (can't decide which)
Broccoli: Southern Comet
Brussel Sprouts: Rubine
Scallions: Red Beard
Parsley: Italian plain
Radish: Icicle short
Tomatoes: Chocolate cherry, Gold Nugget, Super Marzano
Sweet Potatoes: Violetta, Korean Purple
Tomatillos: Mexican purple
Melons: Lil' Loupe, Petite Treat
Cilantro
Orach red
Shiso
Shallots - from Whole Foods veg bin
Potatoes: Ronnigers - 5 types - don't remember the names.

Sheri- Helloooooo my dear that is what Katye started this thread for, so we can trade seeds and starts! So I would like to try a couple seeds or a seedling or two of your Ancho, Poblano, Jalapeno, and Anaheim Chiles, Yellow Crookneck, Acorn, and Butternut Squash, Sage, Spearmint, Climbing nasturtium and Calendula. Now what can I tempt you with my friend? :0)

Katye where are you getting your potatoes from? I would love to trade with you for the following: Soleil french filet, Red Noodle (asian), Sayamusume (edemame), Eggplant Hansel, and Tomatillos: Mexican purple. What would you like from my list? This is so much fun! Thanks for starting the thread.

I'll be happy to share, and I have plenty for now. Once we get the straw bales in for this year, I'll figure out what's missing and then we can work it out. I have 4 varieties of Calendula seeds, and lots of each that I'd be happy to share. And I'll set aside pepper seeds for you Rachel. Don't know what they are off the top of my head but I'll look them up this weekend and let you know what they are.

Kate ~ It's nice to know I'm not the only weak one here...

Sheri, don't forget we are all addicts.........!

Ain't no lying there. LOL

Ronnigers for potatoes - they came highly reccommended. MANY varieties - too many.
Family run business & I will always try to support that type endeavour.

Sweet potatoes - can't locate name. D**n! Need to revisit & reorder. I need a jump-drive for my brain.

Ok Rach - you got it. Your list? You mean your BOOK???? Sheesh - gotta get pad & pen to take notes.

Yesterday: Territorial seed.
Today - scary, so not going there.
Tomorrow: all better. Order more, plez-K?-thanx.

Thanks for the potato info Katye, I will have a look at their site tonight!

Just wanted to bump this one back up to the top of the threads in case anyone missed it.

I have limited space for a vegetable plot and I like to use that for tomatoes, cucumbers & herbs. Will any vegetables do well in shade? I would love to have room for radishes, lettuces, melons, bok choy.

The only things that did well for me last year were peas and zuchini... oh, and leaf lettuce and curley parsley. My spinach and carrots didn't do well... I must have done something wrong. I as going to try spaghetti squash this year, and corn, which I am guessing I will have some challenges with both. I have plenty of seeds to share I think, if there is a swap. I have on my to-do list: Inventory Seeds!

Are we swapping seeds that we have now, or from our plants when they set seed later this year?

Portland: most vegies want plenty of sun. Lettuces, spinach, radishes can grow with less, but are you able to give them about 5-6 hrs daily?

Do you have space & a sunny location for containers? If so, many vegies can be grown successfully in them. This might allow you to take advantage of reflected sunlight if placed next to your home or a solid fence, as well as space provided by container as opposed to a bed for them. Melons take up room - LOTS, so I would go for a large container. they can be grown vertically, as can the cukes & tomatoes. Herbs can go in containers - some of them get a bit frisky in a bed - uhh oooh, doesn't sound right! what i mean is that they can take up too much space & conquer the neighbouring plants. If you have a vegie bed - place a trellis along the back & grow your cukes & toms up that. The lettuces, radishes, spinach & Bok choy can go in the bed as well. i usually grow basil with my toms, too. You might want to check out Mel Bartholomew's book on square foot gardening. I'll try to locate my copy - I believe there is a chart for spacing that i can scan at work & post here for you. I have employed his methodology for over 20 years - sort of a different spin on french Intensive gardening. It works well for me, even though i have a crazy amount of space for vegies. Less work, I think. I can grow 40 stalks of corn in a 4' x 8' raised bed, for example. All this depends on what space you have & what you want to grow. Another concept to consider, if you can do the containers, is to place them amongst your landscaping. I will be doing this again this year, to take advantage of some extremely hot places in my front yard: specifically for Chiles, determinate tomatoes, and winter squash. It would work for melons too.

Lynn - what would work best for you? We aims to please, here!

Both, actually. I have been winter sowing some seeds that I received in the Piggy Swap. I will gladly share some of my seeds before I (piggily) get them all planted. I am saving some to sow later, just in case the WS doesn't work for me.

My WS efforts were a bust last year, primarily due to some rather unseasonable white flakes on 4/20. Caused quite a bit of premature death.
then, the slug onslaught, and the crows pulling up seedlings.
Geez, what's next? Well - lack of sun, mainly.
Did not give up: kept replanting & had a very decent harvest for some things, despite the weather.
So - all this to say, be vigilant about what you WS. Cool season crops do best; I would sow any warm season crop inside & harden off gradually, unless you've got some sort of GH or coldframe.
I have seed to trade, but can start some of my seeds for people who don't have time or space. i just don't have lots of space, either. In the meantime, i am trying to locate a tall enough aluminum/polycarbonate coldframe that will fit a 4x8 bed. No luck so far! Probably have to have it fabricated. LOL - if i inflate the cost, perhaps a decent GH will sound better to the DH.....

Katye - no the area I was considering gets about 1 hour of direct sun a day. It is fairly bright but there are high trees so lots of shade. Maybe I will put in ferns and hellebores. I did get 3 huge containers and I can place them in sunny areas. And I do have 2 beds - one about 3 x 6 and the other about 3 x 4. That will have to do! Last year I got lots of tomatoes, herbs and cukes out of those two small areas. Such is life in the city!