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

Weekend Odds 'n Ends #2

The "chitting" is coming along!

Five sweet potato slips growing good roots.

Following is a list of the chores completed this morning:

1. Watered as needed. 
2. Fertilized as needed. 
3. Thinned Independence Day tomatoes and added soil to top of containers. 
4. Thinned broccoli, kale, arugula and all six varieties of lettuce to one each container or cell. 
5. Transplanted three celery. 

Postscript #1 - Germination from the portulaca (sowed March 16, 6 days) and alyssum, Carpet of Snow and Royal Carpet (sowed March 20, 2 days).  The purple alyssum was about a half day behind on germination. 

62 Days Before Last Frost

It's March 14!!  Here in Zone 6a that means 62 days before the last frost date of May 15, give or take five days.  Today I want to plant a second round of celery and four different varieties of flower seeds that should be sowed 9 weeks (63 days) before the last frost date.

Ageratum (Dondo Blue): Fedco, 2015.  Seeds sown in a 7" round container, on surface, pressed in. Expected germination time: 5-10 days.  Days to maturity, 40 from transplanting.
See: http://www.fedcoseeds.com/seeds/search?item=4811&listname=Flowers&cookies=no

Columbine (Tequila Sunrise, Aquilegia skinneri): Livingston Seeds, 2014.  Pelletized seeds (50) sown in a 7" round container, 1/8" deep.  Expected germination time, 5-10 days. Characteristics: perennial, sun or shade, spacing 8-10", 2-3' tall, longer flowering and more heat tolerant than other columbines, unique and attractive color combination, tall and stately, flowers first year, deadhead to promote blooming.

Hollyhocks (Nigra, Alcea rosea nigra): Livingston Seeds, 2014.  Primed seeds (75) planted into 7" round container, 1/4" deep. Expected germination time, 7-10 days.  Characteristics: perennial, sun, 4-6', deep maroon, nearly black blooms, backdrop for wall or in front of a wall.

Rock Soapwort: Ferry Morse, 2015.  Seeds sown in a 7" round container, 1/8" deep.  Expected germination time, 14-16 days. Days to bloom, 365+. Characteristics: perennial, spacing 9-12", 4-9" tall, groundcover with pink flowers.

Celery (Tall Utah 52/70 Improved): Botanical Interests, 2013.  Planted an additional six 2" pots.  Original sowing on February 14 has only yielded six seedlings after 28 days.  Hoping to transplant twelve into the garden.  Also sprinkled more seeds on top of the original pots that did not sprout.  See February 14 entry for full description.

Postscript#1 - Lettuce sprouts from Buttercrunch, Simpson Elite, Baby Romaine and Red Romaine with the Simpson Elite being the most robust (sowed March 10, 4 days).  One more sprout from Grecian Rose (sowed February 28, 14 days).
Postscript #2 - Arugula germinated (sowed March 11, 3 days, could have been 2 days).
Postscript #3 - Transplanted Impatiens Dwarf Pink Baby into own containers.
Postscript #3 - Transplanted fifteen pansies from 4"x8" container into 2" containers.  Will leave remaining pansies in original container to grow on.

Gave them a good watering and off they go!

Three Cool...One Warm

Vegetables fall into two categories, cool and warm weather crops.  Cool weather crops grow best at temperatures that average fifteen degrees cooler than warm weather crops.  Most can handle a frost and for some vegetables, a frost actually enhances flavor.  Cool weather vegetables need to grow to maturity during cool weather otherwise they will bolt (go to seed) or become bitter in taste.

Here is a list of both cool and warm weather crops.

I try to get my cool weather crops into the ground as early as possible. The hoophouse is ready two to three weeks earlier than the outdoor beds.  Last year I planted in the hoophouse on April 14th; this year I am hoping for the first week of April.  The seeds that will be sown directly into the hoophouse beds will include lettuce, spinach, arugula, beets, and peas. I will also transplant some of the seedlings started indoors, such as arugula, spinach, and lettuce.  Agribon 19 fleece will be used in the evenings and on cloudy days as needed.

Until recently, I would only plant cool weather crops in early spring as soon as the soil became workable. But last year, I planted another round of cool weather crops in the outdoor raised beds in late summer for a fall/winter harvest.  I hope for even better results this year.

Today I sowed indoors under lights three cool weather vegetables:

Arugula (Roquette):  Livingston, Seeds, 2014. Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, 40. Characteristics: sun to partial shade, 6" tall, robust, peppery flavor, harvest 6" tall, succession planting every two weeks.

Kale (Blue Vates Scotch Curled): Dollarseed, 2013.  Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, N/A. Characteristics: thin to 12" apart, pick early for baby greens.

Kale (Winterbor): Fedco Seeds, 2012.  Planted one 6-pack, 1/4" deep.  Days to maturity, 60. Characteristics:  thin to 12" apart, pick early for baby greens.

I also started one warm weather crop, an early tomato, intended for the hoophouse:

Tomato (Independence Day):  Livingston Seed, 2014. Plant five 3" pots each with two pelletized seeds, 1/4" deep.  Expected germination time, 5-10 days.  Days to maturity, 55.  Characteristics: heirloom, sun, 2-3' spacing, 2 1/2' tall, tomatoes by July 4th, orange-red fruits 2.5" in diameter, sweet flavor.

Postscript #1 - One Grecian Rose germinated (sown February 28, 11 days).