Any One Put In There Seed Orders Yet?

[jarodw45]

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I use landscape fabric to cover my beds as a weed deterrent. Bought a huge roll years ago at Home Depot and haven't finished it yet! Have to replace it every few years in the beds, but you get so much on the roll that's not an issue. Anyway- watering. I don't do anything special. When I plant, I cut a decent sized X in the fabric and put the plant through in there. Then I just water as usual. The landscape fabric is designed to let water seep through, plus the slit that the plant is in helps water get through as well. So much better than weeding all the time! And I leave it on over the winter. That way, when the sun comes out in spring, it heats up the soil a lot faster under the black. Just roll it back when I need to, add compost, manure, whatever, till it in (or let the chickens at it!) and roll it back.

X2!

 

[woodmort]

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Actually I don't water that much. My garden is on a slight sidehill and I lay out the plastic so the edges are along to contour lines, when it rains the water runs under the plastic. Also I try to slope everything so any plant rows are lower than the plastic or anything in hills or individual plants are set lower than the surrounding plastic, that way any rain runs to the plants. In my experience even when we go for several weeks without substantial rain, if you lift the plastic it is wet beneath it. It helps that my garden soil is highly organic--between chicken manure.pine shavings, grass clippings and leaves there is an awful lot of organic material that I've rototilled into the soil, this holds water very well.

 

[bockbock2008]

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Me too!! I want to make some purple salsa. I got some purple pepper seeds to go in it

 

[redhen]

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Thanks! What is a Legume inoculant? I know what a legume is..but.. not sure what your talking about?
I have grown bush green beans before... i havent grown any the last couple of years though...

The roots of legumes have to form bacteria induced nodes that will take nitrogen from the air and "fix" it into the soil. This, in turn, helps the legume grow and enriches the soil. To form these nodes the plant needs to be infected with a species specific bacteria. When peas have been grown in a area the bacteria is present in the soil but if it hasn't then the soil needs to be inoculated with a "starter". Usually this is a powder that you roll the seeds in before planting. While these bacteria are specific to each type of legume, there is a little cross over but, ideally, you should use a pea inoculant for peas, bean for beans and clover for clover. Most seed catalogs that offer pea seed sell the pea inoculant and it is a one-time deal.

Never knew that!

Thanks!! I'll check into it...

 

[redhen]

My problem, when i start seeds inside, is that they always grow funny...kinda tall/thin and "leggy"... they dont seem to do well for me.
Anyone know why thats happening...

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Well, I've definitely been thinking about my summer garden, but my winter crops haven't even been harvested yet!! I have some purple and green broccoli, swiss chard, cauliflower, onions, and beets that are still growing and looking great! I am not quite sure what to do?? I live near San Diego, so starting seeds indoors is unnecessary, but at the same time, I want some early crops of tomatoes, but don't have the ground space to plant them, until I harvest these other things!! Grrr. I really need more land....

Those sound like some fun varieties that you all are choosing!! I'm having good luck with blueberries in pots here, I want to plant them in the ground, but I'm so darn alkaline! I just don't know if I'm diligent enough to keep the pH down in my soil.

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

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You need better light, and cooler temps. They are stretching. Try hardening them off sooner. Of course, this is coming from someone that has no concept of snow or actual winter weather. I am not sure if my advice would apply to your climate.

 

[Mak]

Thin, leggy seedlings are usually due to light. Always had that happen because I've been starting seeds in the window. This year, we have a 3 tier grow light stand (bought it from Gardener's Supply and yes, it was spendy! But there are a few things we liked about it). You can use cheaper shelve units and shop lights, rigged on chain so the lights can be lowered to almost on top of the seeds when they sprout and then raised as they grow. Or just suspend the shop lights at a fixed distance right above the plants. Either way, you want more consistent, direct light on the seedlings as they grow.

 

[woodmort]

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Yup, especially those of us starting them in the northern climes. You can try to turn them every day or put aluminum foil behind them so they are getting light from both directions but the best thing is a good grow light fairly close to them. Another thing I learned from starting plants indoors is that we often start them too early and then they stop growing when we put them outside. I've had years where the tomato plants I started in the house actually produced later than the "volunteer" ones that came up in the garden.

BTW, I have a really nice, galvanized, three tier, 16 by 40 w bulb growing/starting light system for sale cheap for anyone in the area that is willing to come get it.

 

[PineappleMama]

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I'm not sure what grow well in Texas but I've always had good luck with Ace F1 peppers--they always yield right up to frost and grow fast although they aren't a big stuffing type they can be used green or wait until they turn red. As far lettuce is concerned we always grow Red Sails leaf lettuce or one of the later hybrids. It not only tastes good but is very slow to bolt and get tasting bitter. Last summer I made a spring planting (April) that got us through into July, then a second planting in July that we used, after covering it with a plastic "greenhouse" to keep the ground from freezing, until after Thanksgiving. Both seeds are available from harrisseeds.com As far as potatoes are concerned, look locally as they are best if grown for your particular area--I always have a combination of red, yellow and russets.

Thankee kindly Wood. I'm thinking I may do the container thing. Last year I did that with some peppers and tomatoes and it worked pretty well. Since we rent I really don't want to rip up a bunch of yard and end up with a cranky landlord.