Thursday's Chores

Today's chores included:

• Dumping yard waste and old garden supplies. 
• Purchasing wood for beds around hoophouse (five 3'x5' beds). 
• Organizing the scrap wood pile behind shed. 
• Organized large pots, stakes and five gallon containers behind shed. 
• Adding remaining compost to new raised beds. 
• Raking up leaves that piled up near pool heater and placing them in a compost bin. 
• Moving the big, green, plastic barrel to left of bulkhead. It will be the depository for gray water from the kitchen sink and will be used to water plants.

Postscript #1 - The only flowers that struggled acclimating to the hoophouse was Hollyhocks, Peaches 'n Dreams.  The leaves developed white, blotchy spots. Everything else had done well, I say, as I cross my fingers. 

Postscript #2 - I dug up one hosta in the side yard near the lilac bushes.  I split it in half and spaced them behind the other two.  

Another Busy Day

I accomplished a few more chores today:

• Watered all indoor and outdoor seedlings. Whew!  It was a chore, indeed!
• Transplanted the remaining peppers and tomatoes that had doubles in containers.
• Transplanted six basil from two clay pots. 
• Blew off compost that had spilled on the deck yesterday while filling herb containers. 
• Set up umbrellas on deck and cement patio. 
• Measured wood for beds around greenhouse.

I also sowed the following flower seeds: 

Nasturtium, Empress of India - Livingston, 2014, planted in 8"x12" metal tray. 

Nasturtium, Gleam Mix - Livingston, 2014, planted in 8"x12" metal tray. 

Cosmos, Bright Lights - Livingston, 2014, planted in 8"x12" metal tray. 

Cosmos, Sensation Mixture - Livingston, 2014, planted in 8"x12" metal tray. 

Marigold, Queen Sophia - Livingston, 2014, planted in 8"x12" metal tray. 

The front perennial bed and area around the fruit trees had another good raking.  Gathered a considerable amount of twigs, branches and leaves.

The three Amana Orange tomatoes in one container were very stunted so I chose to throw them away.

I am using the electric fan more faithfully over the tomatoes and peppers, two if not three times a day for up to a half hour each time.  I believe it helps strengthen the plants' stems.

Big Day at the Farm

How many items on this "things to do" list did I check off today?

• Move the two shelving units from the bay window to the hoophouse. 
• Clean bay window, put up curtains and return pillows to window seat. 
• Use blower to clean garage floor. 
• Water plants in house. 
• Clean shed and put trash items near trailer. 
• Put lawn care equipment and power washer in garage.
• Move indoor seedlings to the shelving units in the hoophouse.
• Water plants in hoophouse. 
• Put outdoor rug under lounge chairs on deck. 
• Fill eight 6-inch and seven 12-inch plastic pots with compost on deck to become containers of annual and perennial herbs.  
• Organize tools in hoophouse.
• Begin spreading wood chips around new raised beds. 
• Begin filling new raised beds with compost. 

Would you guess all of it???  Yes, sir, it was a very big day at the farm!!!

Still needs organizing, but is so much better!

The pots are still a mess, but at least all in one place. 

The step ladder is too big for the space; it was later swapped out for a small one from the basement. 

These lounge chairs are surprisingly comfortable.  Can't wait for warm weather!!

The new beds receive only seven hours or less of sun a day.

For some who likes order through symetry, I didn't like this arrangement.
I moved all the containers to the left and the baker's rack to the right. 

The rhubarb is coming along nicely even after being moved four years in a row.  

I want to double the number of containers of mint to four in my perennial herb bed. 

The grape vine is budding on the trellis. 

Postscript #1 - Germination from two out of the three lettuce sowings in window boxes (Salad Blend and Mesclun - sowed April 21, 7 days). Still waiting for Bronze Mignonette.

Postscript #2 - The sage plant grown last year in a container is showing signs of life as well as the thornless blackberry bush.
Postscript #3 - Keeping fingers crossed that the French Tarragon plant purchased last year made it through the winter. No signs of life yet.

Power Tools and More Onions

I always have great fun using my husband's power tools.  Today it was his electric drill.  The bottom of those three Italian containers needed more drainage holes and the drill made easy work of it.  I will seed all three containers with Spinach, Bloomsdale Long Standing. We love spinach fresh in salads, chopped into turkey burgers, sauteed with onions, garlic, hot pepper flakes and lemon, etc.  You can never have enough spinach.

I decided to give onions another go this year, calling the first attempt just a fluke. I suspect using a moisture control potting mix was the problem.

My onion seeds are mostly from 2014 and, since the seeds are viable for only a year or two, I decided to sow most of what was left in the packets.  Following is a list of what was sowed into 8-inch round clear, plastic bakery containers:

Leeks, American Flag
Onions, Red Bull
Onions, Sweet Spanish Yellow Utah Jumbo
Onions, White Lisbon
Onions, Ringmaster
Onions, Red Wethersfield
Onions, Walla Walla
Onions, Evergreen Bunching
Onions, Tokyo Long

The watering of the seedlings in the house takes about over a half hour. Ugh.... Can't wait til they join the other plannts in the greenhouse.  It is much easier and faster to spray them with a hose!!  About half of these seedlings will be moved to the garage tomorrow and then to the hoophouse by next Monday.

I can't go to a garden center and leave without something in my carriage.  Today it was onion starts, Jumbo Sweet Spanish and Walla Walla.  Between the onions I sowed today, today's purchase of starts, and last week's purchase of sets, I've got onions covered!!

Propogating Thornless Blackberries

The blackberry plant purchased for $3.00 from Lowe's last year snapped into three pieces.  There are early buds on each piece.  I cut them up into six to eight inch pieces and placed them into water.  I will leave half in the jar to develop roots and the other half I will place into compost.

More Hoophouse Chores

The trays of seedlings in the garage would have benefited from a day or two of direct sun before being moved into the hoophouse, but I was antsy and decided to take the plunge.  I will know tomorrow whether it was a mistake or not. Fortunately, it's been a partly cloudy day, not particularly warm and rain is expected tomorrow, so I think it's a safe bet.

Herbs and asparagus in the rear; flowers, top right shelf; and vegetables, top left shelf.

The fig tree has also been moved to the hoophouse. It briefly spent time on the deck taking its first "breath" of fresh air and dose of "real" sunlight since last October

All of the leaves emerged in the past 10 days. 

Both lemon trees have been moved to the hoophouse, too. Throughout the winter and early spring, the lemon trees were in the basement and the livingroom (northeast exposure).  For the past two weeks, they've been under growlights and near a sunny window.  They've just started to leaf out.

The strawberry planters survived the winter and were moved to their usual positions on the deck.

Seeds Planted in Hoophouse Raised Bed #2 (right rear)

Beets, Detroit Dark Red - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Cilantro  - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Pak Choi - Livingston Seeds, 2013
Radish, French Breakfast - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Radish,  Red Champion - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Lettuce, Parris Island - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Arugula, Organic - MI Gardener, 2015
Dill, Mammoth - Livingston Seeds, 2014

Seeds Planted in Hoophouse Raised Bed #3 (left)

Fennel, Florence - Livingston Seeds, 2014
Collards, Georgia Southern - Ferry Morse, 2009
Endive, Green Curled - Burpee
Chinese Broccoli - Exchange
Turnips, Purple Top White Globe - Livingston Seeds

Seeds Planted in Containers

Spinach, Noble Giant (2) - Seedsnow.com, 2015

Progress on Eggplants

The eggplants in quarantine look much better.  The ones, however, placed under growlights have issues with dry, patchy leaves. It looks as if the leaves were placed too close to the light source.

Hoophouse Chores

My husband constructed four new raised beds this afternoon and located them parallel to the west side stockade fencing. The beds were placed around the June bearing strawberries. The plan is to let the strawberries bear fruit and then fill up the raised bed with composted wood chips gathered from the old pathway. Time will tell if I have the patience to wait until June to neaten the area.

The level of the mulch around all the raised beds are two to three inches too high.  I am anxious to spread it around these new beds and put away all the plastic pots that now hold the compost.

The lawn furniture was arranged on the back deck in a new configuration this year.  I positioned the newly-acquired baker's rack against the house and will place herb containers on both sides of it. The rack, itself, will hold a mix of flowers.

The hoophouse was better organized and cleaned today and is ready for planting seeds and seedlings.

Seedlings Planted in Hoophouse Raised Bed #1 (right front)

Arugula (5)
Lettuce, Red Romaine (4)
Lettuce, Baby Romaine (4)
Lettuce, Simpson Elite (4)
Lettuce, Little Gem (4)
Lettuce, Buttercrunch (4)
Lettuce, Prizehead (4)
Parsley, Curly (12)
Spinach, America (12)
Spinach, Bloomsdale Longstanding (6)

Seedlings Planted in Hoophouse Raised Bed #3 (left front ) 

Parsley, Curly (2)

Seeds Planted in Hoophouse Raised Bed #3 (left front)

Super Sugar Snap Peas, Botanical Interests, 2014, (~40 seeds) - I buried the seeds one in deep and set branches in the ground as a trellis.

Postscript #1 - A thyme plant that had wintered over in the hoophouse was moved to the herb raised bed on the hill.
Postscript #2 - How will I use these three planters?  Time will tell.

Fill Her Up, Please!

It's as if they're at the gas station waiting for a fill up!  Time for tomatoes to be topped off with more potting soil. They were transplanted five days ago and already need additional soil to support their stems and provide a means toward a more robust root system.

Believe it or not, there are more on the other counter!!

Off to the Garden Center

Visit to Lowe's Garden Center

I purchased shallot and onion sets from Lowe's today to offset the loss of the seedlings from damping off disease.  In addition, I bought nine garlic bulbs.  I am pretty certain that I lost all the bulbs in the raised bed over the winter.

Status of Eggplants

I removed the eggplants that did not look healthy from the kitchen table and placed them in quarantine in the laundry room.  They have various health issues: weak stems, translucent leaves, yellowing leaves, stunted growth, patchy leaves, etc. Growing eggplants from seed has always been a challenge with this year no exception.  Hoping that the twenty-nine healthy ones hang in there until the June planting date.

Plant Count - April 22, 2015

FLOWERS 

1. African Daisy  61
2. Ageratum, Dondo Blue  12
3. Alyssum, Royal Carpet  58
4. Alyssum, Carpet of Snow 34
5. Black-Eyed Susan  34
6. Blanket Flower, Burghundy  34
7. Chinese Forget-Me-Not  27
8. Coleus  37
9. Columbine, Tequila Sunrise  16 - not transplanted yet
10. Dahlia, Unwin's Dwarf  44
11. Delphinium  13
12. Echinacaea  18
13. Geranium  19
14. Grecian Rose  10
15. Gypsophilia  10
16. Hibiscus, White  8
17. Hollyhock, Nigra  30
18. Hollyhock, Peaches 'n Dreams 20 - nor transplanted yet
19. Impatiens, Dwarf Pink  33
20. Impatiens, Mixed Flavours  3
21. Impatiens, Mixed Colors, 2
22. Lavender  19
23. Lobelia, Crystal Palace  66
24. Lupines  26
25. Pansies  40
26. Petunia, Mixed Colors 8
27. Petunia, Wave  9
28. Portulaca  20 - not transplanted yet
29. Potentilla, Cinquefoil  34
30. Rock Soapwort  25
31. Salvia, Scarlet  6
32. Salvia, Blue Bedder  17
33. Snapdragons, Mixed  20 -  not transplanted yet
34. Snapdragons, Tetra Ruffled  13
35. Sweet William  31
36. Verbena  25
37. Vinca  43
38. Viola  18

HERBS

1. Basil, Sweet  44
2. Chamomile  10
3. Lemon Balm  5
4. Lemongrass  14 
5. Oregano, Common  24
6. Oregano, Greek  24
7. Oregano, Zaatar  16
8. Parsley, Triple Curled Moss  25
9. Rosemary  16
10. Thyme, Common  3

VEGETABLES

1. Artichokes  3
2. Arugula 11
3. Asparagus  13
4. Broccoli, Calabrese  12
5. Brussel Sprouts  12
6. Cabbage, Danish  12
7. Cabbage, Golden  12
8. Cabbage, Red Acre  6
9. Cauliflower  12
10. Celery  12
11. Eggplant, Aswad  3
12. Eggplant, Black Beauty  7
13. Eggplant, Diamond  8
14. Eggplant, Long Purple  10
15. Eggplant, Shooting Stars  5
16. Eggplant, Syrian Stuffing  3
17. Eggplant, Ping Tung 8
18. Kale, Blue Vates Scotch Curled  6
19. Kale, Dwarf Blue Vates  6
20. Kale, Red Russian  6
21. Kale, Winterbor  5
22. Lettuce, Buttercrunch  9
23. Lettuce, Baby Romaine  12
24. Lettuce, Red Romaine  10
25. Lettuce, Little Gem  12
26. Lettuce, Prizehead  6
27. Lettuce, Red Sails  6
28. Lettuce, Simpson Elite  5
29. Pepper, Anaheim Chili  2
30. Pepper, California Wonder Green  3
31. Pepper, California Wonder Orange 10
32. Pepper, Canary Bell  7
33. Pepper, Cayenne 4
34. Pepper, Early Jalapeno  4
35. Pepper, Jimmy Nardello  2
36. Pepper, Leutschauer Paprika 8
37. Pepper, Lipstick 2
38. Pepper, Mini Red Bell 4
39. Pepper, Mini Red Cherry 2
40. Pepper, Mini Orange Bell  2
41. Pepper, Mini Yellow Bell  2
42. Pepper, Poblano  8
43. Pepper, Purple Bell  2
44. Pepper, Shishito  2
45. Pepper, Sweet Ruby  2
46. Pepper, Thai  4
47. Potatoes, Gold  9
48. Potatoes, Red  9
49. Potatoes, Russett  8
50. Potatoes, White 15
51. Spinach, America  12
52. Spinach, Bloomsdale Long Standing  6
53. Swiss Chard, Fordhook  12
54. Swiss Chard, Rainbow  12
55. Sweet Potato Slips  12
56. Tomatoes, Abe Lincoln  2
57. Tomatoes, Amish Paste  6
58. Tomatoes, Amana Orange  2
59. Tomatoes, Beefsteak 4
60. Tomatoes, Best Boy  5
61. Tomatoes, Black Krim   6
62. Tomatoes, Box Car Willie  3
63. Tomatoes, Brandywine Pink  6
64. Tomatoes, Brandwine Red  9
65. Tomatoes, Brandywine Yellow  3
66. Tomatoes, Celebrity  4
67. Tomatoes, Cherokee Purple  8
68. Tomatoes, Chocolate Cherry  3
69. Tomatoes, Crimson Cushion  4
70. Tomatoes, Dad's Mug  2
71. Tomatoes, Eva's Purple Ball  3
72. Tomatoes, Gardener's Delight  5
73. Tomatoes, Green Zebra  2
74. Tomatoes, Independence Day  3
75. Tomatoes, Italian Grape  4
76. Tomatoes, Italian Roma  16
77. Tomatoes, Jet Star  8
78. Tomatoes, Japanese Trifele  3
79. Tomatoes, Kellogg's Yellow Breakfast  3
80. Tomatoes, Marglobe  7
81. Tomatoes, Mortgage Lifter  6
82. Tomatoes, Pineapple  4
83. Tomatoes, Pink Oxheart  2
84. Tomatoes, Principe Borghese  2
85. Tomatoes, Roman Candle  1
86. Tomatoes, Rutgers  9
87. Tomatoes, Sungold  3
88. Tomatoes, Super Beefsteak  2
89. Tomatoes, Thessaloniki  9
90. Tomatoes, Tiny Tim  1
91. Tomatoes, Tigerella  4
92. Tomatoes, White Wonder  3

GARDEN VOLUNTEERS and PERENNIALS

1. Lettuce, Buttercrunch  1
2. Garlic - pending
3. Rhubarb - pending
4. Chives  8
5. Oregano  3
6. Horseradish 5
7. Thyme  3
8. Sage  2
9. Alpine Strawberries  35
10. June Bearing Strawberries 200

PENDING or FAILURES

1. Broccoli, Waltham - damping off disease
2. Cabbage, Savoy - no germination
3. Columbine, McKana's - pending
4. Leeks - damping off disease
5. Lettuce, Mesclun - pending 
6. Lettuce, Select Salad Blend - pending 
7. Lettuce, Bronze Mignonette - pending 
8. Onions (all varieties)  - damping off disease
9. Peas, Super Sugar Snap - too spindly, threw away
10. Pepper, New Mexican Red Chili - no germination
11. Pepper, Red Mercury - no germination
12. Pepper, Serrano Chilis - no germination
13. Shallots  - damping off disease
14. Tomatoes, Big Boy - no germination
15. Tomatoes, Blue Beauty - no germination
16. Tomatoes, Italian Roma (Burpee) - no germination

The Hoophouse is Open for Business!

What a feeling of excitement! The hoophouse is open for the season! The first thing I noticed was a thin film of moss growing on some of the beds.  We had above average temperatures for the first two weeks of April and the hoophouse was a good breeding ground. First I removed the black hose and rearranged the supplies so that I could begin working on the front right bed. All three beds are 2.5' x 11.5'.

Before I began lightly tilling the soil, I rescued one volunteer Buttercrunch lettuce seedling and placed it in a small pot for now. Two white pails, one for compostible items and the other for trash, were set up near the door as permanent fixtures.

I was happy to find some worms in this bed, just barely visible in the photo below.

I also began my outdoor sowing with three window boxes of cut and come again lettuce: Mesclun, Select Salad Blend and Bronze Mignonette.

I finally transplanted many seedlings into individual containers.  This chore has been hanging over my head for days because the seedlings have looked crowded and stressed in their containers.

Sweet Alyssum, Royal Carpet  58
Sweet Alyssum, Carpet of Snow  34
African Daisies  61
Basil  44
Blanket Flowers 34

Fruit Trees

I noticed today that all of the dwarf fruit trees have buds.

The varieties at the bottom of the hill from left to right include: Cortland Apple (Harvey's Farm, 2010, $45); French Prune Plum (Windy Lo, 2010, $54); Anjou Pear (Windy Lo, 2010, $45); Elberta Peach (Windy Lo, 2010, $54); and Italian Prune Plum (Harvey's Farm, 2010, $29).

The varieties near the house at the top of the hill include:  Reliance Peach (Harvey's Farm, 2011, $60); McIntosh Apple (Harvey's Farm, 2011, $60); and Macoun Apple (Harvey's Farm, 2011, $60).

Five fruit trees have died over the past three years.  In 2014, we lost the Apricot and the Stella Cherry trees. In the year prior, we lost the Macoun Apple tree and in 2012 we lost a Black Tartarian Cherry and Bartlett Pear.

Monday, Monday

The first chore of the day was to transplant the Dahlia, Unwin's Dwarf seedlings to various sized pots and 4-and 6-pack containters as well as a 4"x8" container for a total of 40 plants.

The leaves on some of the sweet potato slips have formed crystals much like they did when they were sprouting on the tubers. Still no definitive explanation, but my best guess is that it's the plants' response to being overheated. I can gently rub off some of the crystals to save some leaves.

I also potted up the last two potato sprouts into a single container. The leaves are quite yellow compared to the other slips.  Let's see if they darken up when placed in the bay window shelf with the other ones. I now have a total of 12 slips growing in pots.

I moved away from direct sunlight the potted slips to see if that would prevent the crystals from recurring.

A second seedling in the Columbine McKana container finally emerged.  I nearly threw out the container yesterday as having mostly non-viable seeds.  I will transplant these two seedlings in a few weeks.

Postscript #1 - The leaves of some eggplant and Independence Day tomatoes looked diseased.  I snipped them off the plants.  

Postscript #2 - I moved the fig tree to the bay window to get more light.  Leaves are still very yellow. 

Getting Caught Up

I am definitely falling behind in my garden schedule. I hope to make a concerted effort over the next few days to sow seeds and thin and transplant seedlings.

The first task of the day was to finish thinning and transplanting the tomato seedlings. I now have a total of 164 tomato seedlings.

I then thinned the pepper plants, leaving just one seedling per cup.  I did not transplant too many seedlings, rather I just threw the extras away.  I have about 60 pepper plants in total.

Postscript #1 - I am declaring the following tomato and pepper seeds not viable:

Red Mercury Peppers

New Mexico Red Chili Peppers

Serano Peppers

Jalapeno Peppers (harvested)

Blue Beauty Tomatoes

Burpee Italian Roma Tomatoes

Big Boy Tomatoes

Postscript #2 - I am also declaring non-viable the savoy cabbage seeds.

Being Ruthless, Hard As That Is

The most important chore today is to thin tomato seedlings. Originally, I was planning to grow just one seedling per cup with the intention of throwing away the weaker ones. But I've decided to save on a case by case basis some of those extra seedlings. As always, it will be difficult to throw away good seedlings.

I took a quick walk around the garden and noticed that some perennial vegetables and fruits are waking up after a long winter.

Rhubarb

Blueberries

Kiwi Raspberries

Chives 

Thyme

Postscript #1 - There was germination from an Amana Orange tomato.

Beautiful Geraniums and Coleus

I am pleased with the progress of the geraniums and coleus.  They have been relatively easy to grow.

There is a flower bud in the middle of the tray.

I love the variations in coloring: pink, burghundy, yellow and white. 

I transplanted soapwort seedlings into sixteen individual containers. I pulled out two that had "kinked" stems. The stems of the seedlings are very fragile.

Four Syrian eggplants have looked pretty sad the past week.  I threw away the first three and repotted this one into a deeper container. All other varieties look much better although some leaves look pale and stressed.

Before

After

Then I up-potted five Independence Day Tomatoes to six-inch plastic containers. They don't look like they have taken the transplanting very well. Keeping fingers crossed for a potential July 4th tomato!

Postscript #1 - There was germination of a Thai peppers and Tiny Tim tomato. Yahoo!!
Postscript #2 - I added potting soil to the Italian Roma tomato containers to cover more of the stems.