ChamberlainAcres's Blog
ChamberlainAcres's Blog
Last Post 129 days, 21 hours Ago
May 1, 2008 | 3:14 AM PST
So far the progress on the nursery has been good. The driveway goes in this week and we open next week. Just in time for Mothers day. We had frost yesterday morning and again this morning. Its 28 out there right now. I want some nice weather. All the plants are covered so I know I have nothing to worry about. My biggest concern was my tomatoes. I have plants in the greenhouse for my garden, but the heat has been off. I checked them and they are doing fine. I am excited and nervous about opening. I believe it will be good. I can't wit to get the new gardens planted. I think I still get most of my excitement from planting seeds and seeing what happens. Well, the sun is up now and I have things to do outside. Take care!
Apr 15, 2008 | 5:48 AM PST
It was only 24 degrees this morning. Not very spring like if you ask me. Its funny because in 2 days, our day time temps. are supposed to be in the 70's. This makes greenhouse growing really a challenge. I feel sorry sometimes for the plants because I have been trying to get them acclaimeted to the outside temps. and weather. They seem to get moved a lot due to the extremes we have been having. Most of the plants are doing well. Some have even started flowering. Johnny jump ups planted from seed are flowering as well as the bleeding hearts in the greenhouse and Red Fox Veronica. The Gaura keeps trying to flower but I have been pinching it back. I must say it is nice to see some flowers. Outside the crocus are up and doing their thing and the daffodils are thinking about it. Lilac buds have defianetly started showing signs of growth. The robins are now here and building nests. Many flying insects now but the gnats aren't out yet...thank goodness. Well, I just wanted to stop by and say Hi to everyone and happy spring. Now I think I should head back to the greenhose. Transplanting American Dream Coreopsis this morning. Take care!
Feb 22, 2008 | 2:14 PM PST
I placed several orders for bareroot plants and plugs. I knew I would not be able to grow enough from seeds or cuttings this year for the nursery myself. So the first shipment arrived on Feb. 5. I was so excited. I opened the boxes with the bareroot plants and was shocked. I knew the size of the plugs would be small, and having ordered bareroot plants individually from companies before for my own use, I assumed the bareroots would be fairly small. They were huge. I planted them in all the two gallon pots I had and had to cram a few into one gallons because I really hadn't anticapated anything as big, so I had a limited pot supply. I thought I had read they would be best for one gallons which I have plenty of. Well today is Feb. 22, and I now have white bleeding hearts blooming in the greenhouse. Whoops, I guess I have a lot to learn. It is wonderful to see them though. They will be a little past their prime when May finally gets here but thats okay, I will have enjoyed them. My family and friends will have also.
Feb 15, 2008 | 1:31 PM PST
I have been out in the greenhouse today planting herb seeds. I am finding that now that I am growing for more than just myself I try and use the trays with at least 128 little holes. I used to use and still love using when I can, paper dixie cups. They work great because when the seedling is ready to transplant, you just peel off the paper and plant. Usually by that time it is already starting to come a part so you could actually plant the whole thing.
I like to find ways to make it simple and cost effective, and for myself, usually one box of dixie cups was enough for the year. Cuttings in these little cups do well too.
Feb 13, 2008 | 12:31 PM PST
Thanks to all who added a comment. It is nice to get encouragement from other gardeners.
The weather here in Elmira, New York has been crazy the last few days. Yesterday it was one degree when I got up, the day before that it was two. Today it was 28 and the snow that was falling changed to freezing rain and then back to snow. Nothing falling at the moment thank goodness. Winter in this part of the world is always changing it seems.
The greenhouse is doing great. I have transplanted some plugs and a few of the seeds I have started. It is interesting to be using a greenhouse. The needs of the plants are different than what I am used to. I worry about the amount of light they are getting, watering can be a challenge, and always have to be mindful of the temperature. A little sun sends the greenhouse to 85 in no time. It is fun to try and learn how to grow things this way. I get the added benefit of getting to see plants growing too.
Enjoy the winter everyone, won't be long and we will have spring!
Feb 3, 2008 | 5:25 PM PST
I have to say that I wish the woodchuck had not seen its shadow. I am ready for spring, this time of year I get anxious to be in the garden. I started a greenhouse, 21 x 12, made out of old windows, this year. I am heating it with a kerosene heater at the moment. Not the best or cheapest way to do it but it is a start. I got tired of other nurseries and so I am starting my own in spring. It has been a fun adventure so far and hopefully will remain that way. I have many perennial seeds started and some are getting their true leaves. I love seeing seeds grow. Its amazing to me that something so small can produce in one growing season something as large as a sunflower. I'll try and keep anyone who's interested updated om my success or failures if anyone so desires. Whether you are gardening for a nursery or just for yourself, I feel the most important part is just to garden. The place where the nursery is going had to have trees removed and graded. This will allow me all sorts of gardening oppurtunities this year, I can't wait. Take care and enjoy those gardens.
