I'm happy to report that 99% of seeds planted have germinated - even some older ones saved from 2007.
Here is a photo of my Zucchini Squash sprouting about 3 weeks ago. I can't put into words what a sight like this means to a gardener. All I can say is if you are a gardener, you already know what I mean.
On Memorial Day Weekend the pepper plants were moved out of the house and I finally was able to shut off the last of the fluorescent lights. For the next month (until the end of June) these peppers will be in the 80 to 90 degree heat of the greenhouse.
But first, I transplanted each pepper into larger 3 or 4 inch peat pots. It was a humble set up on the driveway, but everything was at my fingertips - no bending over or working on my knees.
One hour later and Poof! All peppers were transplanted and ready for the greenhouse.
But first, I transplanted each pepper into larger 3 or 4 inch peat pots. It was a humble set up on the driveway, but everything was at my fingertips - no bending over or working on my knees.
One hour later and Poof! All peppers were transplanted and ready for the greenhouse. For the most part, peppers should not be set out at the same time as tomatoes. They need warmer temperatures to thrive.
Since this has been a warmer than usual spring, I chose to gamble and set out some peppers anyway. Note my 12" spacer stick and the container of garden sulfur. Peppers like to "hold hands" meaning they like to be closely spaced with their leaves touching each other in the rows. Also, a tablespoon of sulfur should be placed an inch below the peat pot when setting out in the garden. When the roots form and reach the acidic sulfur, the leaves will turn to a deep dark robust green.
This is the great tomato experiment that I am doing out front. If everything goes well, these 8 tomato plants should get tall enough to stop traffic! I highly recommend reading the book below; How To Grow World Record Tomatoes by Charles H. Wilber. You can click on the book photo below to buy it on Amazon.com.
Meanwhile, one of the most important lessons that I learned in the above book was to amend the soil with compost.
Since this has been a warmer than usual spring, I chose to gamble and set out some peppers anyway. Note my 12" spacer stick and the container of garden sulfur. Peppers like to "hold hands" meaning they like to be closely spaced with their leaves touching each other in the rows. Also, a tablespoon of sulfur should be placed an inch below the peat pot when setting out in the garden. When the roots form and reach the acidic sulfur, the leaves will turn to a deep dark robust green.
This is the great tomato experiment that I am doing out front. If everything goes well, these 8 tomato plants should get tall enough to stop traffic! I highly recommend reading the book below; How To Grow World Record Tomatoes by Charles H. Wilber. You can click on the book photo below to buy it on Amazon.com. Meanwhile, one of the most important lessons that I learned in the above book was to amend the soil with compost. This year I've come up with a new version of my super secret tomato food and the ingredients are shown in the photo below.
Don't forget the wood ashes and egg shells! I will put a couple of tablespoons of this mixture in every hole when I set out each tomato plant.
I also make sure to add the Scott's Manure & Hummus to the top of every raised row. I work it in with a small hand rake before I plant. This goes for everything, not just tomatoes.
There's my 12" spacer stick again. I've found that 12 inches of space between my tomatoes works fine.
The first tomatoes were set out on Memorial Day weekend which was late this year, May 29 through the 31st.
I've got enough problems with groundhogs so I don't need to lose any tomatoes to a measly cut worm. I reuse these plastic soda and juice bottle every year.
Yes, that's right. There are speakers (only one pictured here) way out in the gardens. I do all my gardening to 70s music on Sirius XM radio - no commercials! It's all 70s, all the time at East Becket Gardens.
The last of the tomatoes were set out on June 13th - all 136 of them - 31 varieties. Lets hope for the best.
The sunflowers had a great start. However, the groundhog ended up wiping out this section of the gardens. I planted about 200 seeds in hopes of thinning them for the best plants. Now there are only about 10 left thanks to the whistle pig.
On the positive side, here are two photos which illustrate success with the cabbage and potatoes in the east garden. The photo above was taken of June 5th.
The photo above is of the same garden only two weeks later on June 13th. I hilled-up the potatoes and added precious manure & hummus to the top. A week later I will add hay mulch when they are flowering.
Here's a few flower buds on one of the potato plants. This variety is called Red Pontiac, which was one of my grandfather's favorite potatoes to grow.
Let's not forget about the house plants. This is a rare Clivia in bloom. I set it outside for a week so the bees and other pollinators could work their magic. I will save the seeds and start more Clivia plants. It takes about 5 to 7 years for a plant to produce its first bloom.
And what a spectacular bloom it is! Definitely worth the wait.
Lets hope that June continues to be warm and pleasant. These fair weather clouds are always nice to see. Don't forget to look up and stare at the clouds for a while. That's what the plants in your gardens do all day...
Don't forget the wood ashes and egg shells! I will put a couple of tablespoons of this mixture in every hole when I set out each tomato plant.
I also make sure to add the Scott's Manure & Hummus to the top of every raised row. I work it in with a small hand rake before I plant. This goes for everything, not just tomatoes.
There's my 12" spacer stick again. I've found that 12 inches of space between my tomatoes works fine.
The first tomatoes were set out on Memorial Day weekend which was late this year, May 29 through the 31st.
I've got enough problems with groundhogs so I don't need to lose any tomatoes to a measly cut worm. I reuse these plastic soda and juice bottle every year.
Yes, that's right. There are speakers (only one pictured here) way out in the gardens. I do all my gardening to 70s music on Sirius XM radio - no commercials! It's all 70s, all the time at East Becket Gardens.
The last of the tomatoes were set out on June 13th - all 136 of them - 31 varieties. Lets hope for the best.
The sunflowers had a great start. However, the groundhog ended up wiping out this section of the gardens. I planted about 200 seeds in hopes of thinning them for the best plants. Now there are only about 10 left thanks to the whistle pig.
On the positive side, here are two photos which illustrate success with the cabbage and potatoes in the east garden. The photo above was taken of June 5th.
The photo above is of the same garden only two weeks later on June 13th. I hilled-up the potatoes and added precious manure & hummus to the top. A week later I will add hay mulch when they are flowering.
Here's a few flower buds on one of the potato plants. This variety is called Red Pontiac, which was one of my grandfather's favorite potatoes to grow.
Let's not forget about the house plants. This is a rare Clivia in bloom. I set it outside for a week so the bees and other pollinators could work their magic. I will save the seeds and start more Clivia plants. It takes about 5 to 7 years for a plant to produce its first bloom.
And what a spectacular bloom it is! Definitely worth the wait.
Lets hope that June continues to be warm and pleasant. These fair weather clouds are always nice to see. Don't forget to look up and stare at the clouds for a while. That's what the plants in your gardens do all day...:)
