thequiltedgardener's Blog

All in a days work...........
Mar 17, 2008 | 11:45 AM PST
Tags: greenshouse , seed starting

The greenhouse is up and it sure is bigger than I remember it being!  I am most excited-now the fun can really begin.  Because I have planned succession planting, seeds won't all be planted at once.  The brocilli, califlower, cabbage, brussel sprouts and then the cucumbers, squash and some flowers.  I don't have my seed packets handy so I don't quite recall which flowers are started first-more on that later.

The Brocolli, Califlower and Cabbage are all small head varieties.  I purchased the seeds from Park Seed Co. because I had great success with some squash seeds purchased a few years back that were for compact gardens.  The plants were within the two feet the description gave and produced an abundance of fruit.  Since I haven't grown anything in this family of veggies before, I wanted to set myself up to be successful.  I have purchased other seeds from them but my only veggie experience with them had been the squash.

Once there is something to see, I will journal with photos-once I figure out how to add to my blog.  The greenhouse photos were added to my albums for now.

The new lasagna beds have the first three layers; three of the flower garden beds are cleaned up and one side of the tumbler is full.........and cooking!   It was nice to be outside puttering around in the yard, if I thought I had spring fever before.........I was wrong, only now there have been some participation in spring activities so I have a better sense of satisfaction.

The thermometer in the greenhouse said 65 this morning.  I was thinking that wasn't too warm-but it is no different that inside the house!

All in a days work...................in the garden--I am smiling.

Signs of Life
Mar 14, 2008 | 4:34 AM PST
Tags: spring , seed starting

There is life outside here in SECT!  I found it, spring IS coming! 

 Spending the last part of the winter planning out the garden and dreaming about getting outside and digging in.....literally has been a build up to spring that only brought me down.  The graphed out garden beds showing where each plant will live, the pile of seeds waiting to be planted, the tumbler that sits next to the garden, the pile of newspapers and bundles of peat moss, the pot maker......they are all indicators that I should be gardening!

Stuff is in the tumbler, and I keep adding to it but I must confess there were a couple of days I didn't get out there to add and turn because the ground was so wet I would need rubber rain boots to slosh around in out there=sloggers just don't cut it!

I love reading the blogs here and seeing the photos.  It is all very encouraging and enjoyable to see the progress of my friends yards, seedlings and learning experiences.  It is enough to say that the last couple of weeks have been difficult ones and I really NEEDED some food for my soul.

The other day I jumped out of my pity party and took a muddy stroll around the yard and discovered many signs of life. Additionally, it occurred to me that if I collected all he stems, old leaves, cut down the grasses etc off the plants I may very well have the green matter needed to fill the tumbler and really begin the two week process of composting. While manure, I thought, would be the easy solution, the reality of getting it to the back corner [because of the mud] made this a non-option.

 After walking around a bit I decided to get the camera and document.  When that was finished I came inside reviewed my start seed dates-putting into perspective where I was-and then my daughters and I made the seed starting pots out of newspaper.  DH and daughter are planning on putting up the greenhouse today so even if it rains, as planned, I can still get outside and get things started.  These were all good things.

His morning I am posting the photos that will serve as a record of where my babies are now and serve as proof that spring really is on its way.

So much to read, so little time!
Feb 21, 2008 | 4:52 AM PST
Tags: seed starting , greenhouse

I just love this site.  I come home from work, make dinner-eat-participate in the clean up-get things ready for the next day-and can't wait to get to the computer  to read the blogs and look at all the photos.  It is interesting to see what kind of things others do with thier yards, the process they take to get there and the beautiful photos.  The only problem is there isn't enough time to read, view and participate- How do you choose?

I haven't started any seeds yet and based on our frost date next weekend I can plant a couple of things and then each week after something new.  Since we don't have a place that would work for the family, to start seeds in the house we bought a small temporary greenhouse that I used two years ago but last spring it was so wet and so warm that it was better to start the seeds outside.  Depending upon the weather and family activities this weekend will determine if we get it set up.

This year I am going to make the post out of newspaper and use a soiless mixture that I found in a book in an attempt to have successful seed sewing.  In the past I have had trouble with moss growing on the potting soil but it gets really hot in the greenhouse and I wasn't good about using the ventilation flaps.  Hopefully  the combination of changes will prove to be successful-if not it will be an expensive learning experience.

Does anyone else use a temporary greenhouse to start their seeds?  Any in zone 6 who would be willing to share thier experience?  Maybe there is a search tool I should locate.  Been to the forums, but love the blogs and with time so limited I find myself having to choose between reading and sharing or seeking informaiton.  ugh!

Unfortunately it is time to leave for work and set gardening aside for the next eight hours.