More Lettuce, Peppers and Flowers

It's time to plant more lettuce.  I have always had the best intention of implementing succession planting of lettuce, but inevitably would never follow through.  This year I hope to be more diligent.

The photo below shows what lettuce seedlings look like at three weeks old.  These seedlings will be transplanted into the hoophouse in two to three weeks.  The lettuce sowed today will be planted out in a raised bed in five or six weeks.

Out of the six varieties planted three weeks ago (Little Gem, Baby Romaine, Red Romaine, Buttercrunch, Black Seeded Simpson and Prizehead), there are only two which look limp and less sturdy, Black Seeded Simpson and Prizehead.  I will likely not grow more of these varieties unless they perk up once transplanted. I will also direct seed lettuce into the outdoor raised beds.

Lettuce 20 days old

The lettuce seeds sown today in 6-packs include:

Baby Romaine (1) - Livingston Seeds, 2014.
Buttercrunch (1) - Livingston Seeds, 2014.
Little Gem (1) - Ray You Tube, 2015.
Red Romaine (1) - Livingston Seeds, 2014.
Red Sails (1) - Botanical Interests, ~2013.

I also decided to sow more arugula. The first sowing of arugula will go into the hoophouse raised beds but I want more arugula for the outdoor raised beds. I will also direct seed arugula into outdoor raised beds.

Arugula (Roquette): Livingston Seeds, 2014. Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.

Sweet and Hot Peppers

I planted 23 different varieties of peppers in 16 oz cups for a total of 70 plants:

1. 2 Anaheim Chili - Ferry-Morse, 2013.
2. 4 California Wonder Green - American Seed, 2013.
3. 5 California Wonder Orange - Botanical Interests, 2012.
4. 5 Canary Bell - Botanical Interests, ~2012.
5. 2 Cayenne - Ferry-Morse, 2013.
6. 4 Early Jalapeno -  Botanical Interests, 2012.
7. 11 Jalapeno - Harvested, 2014.
8. 2 Jimmy Nardello - Baker Creek, 2013.
9. 4 Leutschauer Paprika - Baker Creek, 2015.
10. 2 Lipstick - Love Your Land, 2015.
11. 2 Mini Orange Bell - Harvested, 2014.  Peppers originally purchased from Wegman's.
12. 2 Mini Red Bell - Harvested, 2014.  Peppers originally purchased from Wegman's.
13. 2 Mini Red Cherry - Harvested, 2014.  Peppers originally purchased from Wegman's.
14. 2 Mini Yellow Bell - Harvested, 2014.  Peppers originally purchased from Wegman's.
15. 1 New Mexican Red Chili - John Weatherford, 2013.
16. 4 Poblano - Botanical Interests, 2012.
17. 2 Purple Bell - Livingston Seed, 2013.
18. 6 Red Mercury - Livingston Seed, 2013.
19. 2 Serrano Chilis-  Walmart, 2008.
20. 2 Shishito - Internet Swap, 2014.
21. 4 Sweet Ruby Hybrid - Burpee, 2012.
22. 2 Thai Hot - Botanical Interests, 2012.

 Today I sowed the following flower seeds: 

African Daisy (Dimorphotheca aurantiaca): Livingston Seed, 2014. Planted one 4"x8" container 1/16" deep. Expected germination time 10-20 days.  Characteristics: hardy annual, thin to 6-8" apart, full sun, 12-18" tall, blooms spring to fall, spreading, daisy-like flowers, shades of white, yellow and orange. 

Blanket Flower (Burgundy, Gaillardia aristata): Livingston Seed, 2014. Planted one 4"x8" container 1/8" deep.  Expected germination time, 14-21 days.  Characteristics: perennial, sun, 24-30" tall, blooms summer to fall, deep wine-red blooms, heat, drought and poor soil tolerant, deadhet often, deer resistant. 

Columbine (McKana's Giant Mix, Aquilegia):  Livingston Seeds, 2014.  Planted one 4"x8" container 1/8" deep.  Expected germination time, 5-10 days.  Characteristics: perennial, sun to light shade, 24-36" tall, blooms spring, two-tone flowers comined with spurs, shades of purple, pink, blue and maroon.

Dahlia (Unwin's Dwarf, Mixed Colors): Ferry-Morse, 2015.  Planted one 4"x8" container 1/4" deep. Expected germination time, 5-10 days.  Days to maturity, 49-77.  Characteristics: annual, spacing 16", 18" tall. 

Hollyhocks (Peaches 'N Dreams, Alcea rosea): Livingston Seeds, 2014.  Planted one 4"x8" container 1/4" deep.  Expected germination time, 7-14 days.  Characteristics: perennial, sun, 5-6' tall, thin to 12", tall stalks, soft peach blossoms tonged with rose, intricate flowers, soft and delicate petals, plants reseed, may need staking if windy. 

Postscript #1 - The two containers of petunias mixed colors sowed on March 17 have poor germination, one seedling per container.  I consolidated the two seedlings in one container and will reuse the other container for different flower seeds. 

Two lonely Petunias, Mixed Colors