Plant Count - February 23, 2015

FLOWERS 

1. Delphiniums  15
2. Geraniums  19
3. Lavender  10
4. Pansies  12
5. Sweet William  ~50
6. Viola  9

HERBS

1. Rosemary  30
2. Oregano, Common  ~120
3. Oregano, Zaatar  ~35
4. Oregano, Greek  ~120

VEGETABLES

1. Leeks  29
2. Onions, Ailsa Craig  ~100
3. Onions, Copra  ~150
4. Onions, Red Amposta   ~65
5. Onions, Red Bull  ~65
6. Onions, Red Wethersfield  27
7. Onions, Ringmaster  ~62
8. Onions, Rossi Di Milano  5
9. Onions, Sweet Spanish Yellow  ~80
10. Onions, Tokyo Long Bunching  ~80
11. Onions, Tropeana Lunga  24
12. Onions, Walla Walla  ~57
13. Shallots  ~100

Organizing Trays

The containers showing signs of germination have been consolidated on the kitchen table: white onions and shallots in the rear; red onions, leeks and zaatar oregano in the middle; flowers in the left front; and herbs in the right front.

My kitchen table has become a "hobby" table for the next two months!

Postscript #1 - The second sowing of Red Amposta Onions, Rossi Di Milano Onions and Violas have germinated today.
Postscript #2 - In general, the Rossi Di Milano Onions are germinating at a much lower germination rate and a slower germination time compared to the other red onions.

Conquering the "In-Basket"

Today I made progress sowing seeds, albeit a small dent in my so-called "in-basket."  I keep two baskets on the seed table: one to hold seed packets already sown and the other for seeds to be sowed within a week or so.

The "in-basket" on the front, left corner is filling up fast.

Today I sowed the following seeds:

Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria):  Seeds received from an online seed swap, 2009. Sowed seeds densely (not sure of viability) into one 4"x8" container. Did not cover, pressed into soil (needs light to germinate). Expected germination time: 10-21 days. Characteristics: Annual in Zone 6a, full sun, easy to grow, silvery-gray, fern-like foliage, enjoys close spacing, use as border (10-18" tall) and edging plant to contrast with colorful flowers and green leaves, pinch off flower buds to promote leaf growth. Variety, N/A.
See: http://www.gardenersnet.com/flower/dusty.htm

Johnny Jump Up (Viola tricolor): Seeds purchased from Livingston Seeds, 2014. Planted pelletized seeds at Week 13 (before last frost).  Again, I am very early; the packet recommends 8 weeks.  I'll deal with the consequences later, probably having to up-pot them in late-March.  I sowed two 4"x8" containers, approximately 50 seeds per container 1/16" deep (barely cover the pelletized seeds).  Expected germination time: 3-8 days.  Characteristics: perennial, partial shade/sun, 7-10" in height (front border or containers), blooms are deep purple and yellow.
See: http://www.colostate.edu/Dept/CoopExt/4DMG/Flowers/violas.htm

Do you know the difference between violas and pansies?  They are mistakenly used interchangeably. The viola, originally a small wildflower, is the ancestor of the modern pansy. Pansies have been bred (first in the 1800's in England) to be more compact and colorful. Their flowers are usually larger with distinct markings that look like a face.  Another difference is that pansies have four petals that point upward and one that points downward. Violas, on the other hand, have three petals that point upward and two that point downward.  Their flowers are usually white and blue-violet to yellow color.

In our Zone 6a, the pansy is treated as an annual whereas the viola is considered a perennial.  Last year I only grew Johnny Jump Ups; although a perennial, I don't expect them to return having disturbed them in the perennial garden. This year I hope to have plenty of violas and pansies to fill our beds and containers.  They are such a welcome sight after a long winter!

Sweet William (Dianthus barbatus): Seed swap, 2009. Planted seeds harvested in 2014 from our perennial bed. Original seeds were from an exchange made in 2010.  One 4"x8" container, approximately 50 seeds, barely covered. Sowed seeds more heavily than recommended, not sure of viability (self-harvested). Expected germination time: 14-21 days. Characteristics: Short-lived perennial/biennial, 12" (front border), mix of pinks, etc. flowers in spring and in July/August, prefers sun, old-fashioned cottage garden flower, dead head to keep plants blooming, prune severely to encourage return in following years, also called Pinks. Variety, N/A.
See: http://www.perennials.com/plants/dianthus-barbatus-barbarini-f1-mix.html

TIP OF THE DAY!!  Don't be shy! Ask the bakery manager in your grocery store to share their frosting containers which are disposed of when empty.  There come in various sizes and are very versatile to the home gardener.  I am using one now in the kitchen to wet my seed starting mix. They can be used as planting containers, particularly for tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse, to grow potatoes, as a trash and compost receptacle as you weed, etc.

The bakery crew at Stop 'n Shop saves their buckets for me. 

Postscript #1 - The geranium seeds are in the front of the pack with thirteen germinated, then rosemary with twelve, still only one pansy and no delphiniums.
Postscript #2 -  I accidentally knocked off one sprout on the sweet potatoes.
Postscript #3 - I am disappointed that my soil mix contains fairly large pieces of bark, perlite, etc. The mix works perfectly for transplants but doesn't earn high grades as a seed starting mix, especially for small seeds. I have been picking out the large pieces by hand or sifting the mix before covering the seeds.