DIY Seedtape

I was sowing my first batch of seeds today and started remembering how tiny many of these are. In fact, I found the tiny alpine strawberry seeds hiding under my fingernails. Planting these outdoors is even trickier due to sun/wind/ etc. I've done my research and this year will create seed tape for those direct sow veges (ie carrots, beets, lettuce). Here's how:

Companion Planting for Spring Cool Weather Crops

Companion planting is essential in creating a successful garden ecosystem. Well paired companions assist each other to grow well,  repel undesired insects, or even repel other undesired plant. As you plan your spring garden, take a look at the preferred companion list below to ensure you make the most of your garden space and resources.

DIY Seedtape

I was sowing my first batch of seeds today and started remembering how tiny many of these are. In fact, I found the tiny alpine strawberry seeds hiding under my fingernails. Planting these outdoors is even trickier due to sun/wind/ etc. I've done my research and this year will create seed tape for those direct sow veges (ie carrots, beets, lettuce). Here's how:

There's Time ..... to Grow!

Now that we are in August, some of you (like me) are probably wondering where your summer has gone as you realize that the time for gardening left is limited. But, there is good news! There is still enough time to get lots more out of your garden this year.

To name a few -
 •Beets
 •Carrot
 •Lettuce
 •Rutabaga
 •Swiss chard
 •Broccoli
 •Brussels sprouts
 •Cabbage
 •Collards
 •English peas
 •Kale
 •Kohlrabi
 •Mustard greens
 •Radish
 •Spinach
 •Turnip

Realizing that I neglected my garden for most of July, I have turned to quick growing vege's that will give me a harvest before it gets too cold. There are a number of options but below I have noted a couple of great "fast growing" varieties of fall garden veges.

Little Finger Carrots (57 days)

Pea Snow Oregon Sugar Pod II Seeds (60 days)

Broccoli Di Cicco (48 days)

Radish Cherry Belle  (24 days)

Kale Red Winter Organic ( 50 days)

Begonia in Bloom, Huzzah!

Begonia 8.2.14

The Begonia Bulb from last year is blooming again, which I am most happy about. The tomatoes on my balcony are turning yellow. These ones look a bit odd as they are quite round when they are supposed to be yellow pears. I also found a single pea plant still blooming and then I planted many more pea seeds for a late season harvest. The weather outside is feeling more and more like fall which is surprising as its still August. I planted a row of carrots today and started romaine lettuce seeds.

Yellow Pear Tomatoes 8.2.14

Last Pea Plant 8.2.14

Small Carrot Harvest

End to the Season

We have not been going to the garden as regular as before and I apologize for not posting as much.  The lot has been run-over by weeds and is really a mess. My alpine strawberries have continued to fruit and flower. The raspberries taste divine. The second batch of carrots it just about ready and today we planted tulips for the spring. Below are some pictures I have been holding on to.

Daffodil Bulbs Planted 10/6/12

Tulip Bulbs Planted 10/6/12

Carrots almost ready for harvest - 9/16/12

Yellow Pear Tomatoes - 9/16/12

Candy Stripe Cosmos - Still blooming

The lot 9/16/12 Overgrown by weeds

Biggest Harvest Yet

We had quite a big harvest today with carrots, lettuce, some green tomatoes and a handful of cucumbers. We decided to pick the tomatoes while they were greenish/yellow to prevent someone else from stealing them. We were very sad to find that someone had broken in to our garden last week and while they did not steal anything (that we could notice) the perpetrator did break half of our fence.

Odd Shaped Cucumbers and Big Green Tomato

Strawberry's flowering for the Second Harvest

Over-ripe Peas

Green Ox-heart tomato (bizzare looking)

Lettuce, carrots, green tomatoes

What's Growing 3/25/12

 

Cosmo Seedlings (front) Peony Poppy Seedlings (back)

Like many other places in New England, this was a highly unsually warm week in Boston and many of my plants made good strides as a result of the good weather. I replanted the cosmos into cool-whip containers and they grew their first set of true leaves. Seedlings emerged for many of the plants in my in-door and out-door herb gardens. Particularly exciting was that the Botanical Interests Baby Little Finger Carrot seedlings peeped out of the ground, as this is the first year that I am growing carrots. The baby oranges on the orange tree grew bigger. The orange tree is now consuming about .75 cups of water a day!





Alpine Strawberries (front) Little Finger Carrots - 25 days (back)



The germination rate of my tomatos this year was verry disappointing so I sewed more seeds. Only 3 of 15 Black Krim tomatos germinated and only 5 of 15 Black Trifele tomato seeds germinated. None of the Coyote tomato seeds germinated. I recall that I had much better results last year. Thus, I got some more seeds from my friend to hopefully will get more seedlings. The types of tomatos that might come from the seeds my friend  gave me are a bit of a mystery as they are listed as "good tomato" and "holland tomato."  I also started some of the sugar sweetie tomatos from last year.

Jack Frost's (Hopefully) Last Hurrah

I should not be surprised to see snow in Boston this late in February. I guess spring is not as close as I originally thought. Anyhow, boy was I excited to have my new "portable" green house to cover up my carrots, flowers, and alpine strawberries. No - I'm not expecting strawberries any time soon; however, a number of alpine strawberry plants managed to stay green through this past winter.

If you find yourself needing a portable green house check out Christmas Tree Shop for this little light weight beauty. Only $30 or so!

I'm Back!

After a several months away, it's finally time to plan for spring again!! I have even managed to venture out to the local Mahoney's and pick up some seeds. Today I "tilled" the soil and planted some carrots and flowers outside. Hopefully it's not too too cold for them out there. Inside I will be planting a little herb garden and starting some Black Krim tomatos.

Seeds to Sow Outside

Seeds to Sow Indoors