First Plantings!

This is a bit of a delayed update, as I was unable to get this done on the day/days it took place.  On Wednesday and Thursday of last week, I finally got my first outdoor plantings in the ground.  The picture to the right shows my 'lettuce bin'.  I decided it would be better to plant the lettuce near the house so that it is easily accessible at meal time.  Planting it in a container also frees up more space in the garden, so that is a bonus too!  Since lettuce plants have short root systems, they work rather well in containers.  Even long root plants can be in containers, but they normally need a bit more space.  With lettuce and several types of herbs, you can really crowd them in a container, and they will still do great.

In the container I planted spinach, 'Baby Star' romaine, buttercrunch head lettuce, and a special mix of leaf lettuce from my local garden center.  I plan on planting some more spinach in a few weeks in the garden, and possibly some extra buttercrunch, so that we will have a steady supply.  It will be even fresher than the "fresh" lettuce in a bag you can buy at the grocery store!  And the best part is that you only need to pick as much as you'll be eating that night.  No rotting lettuce in the fridge!

 Next I planted a few things in the garden itself.  I wanted to try carrots this year, so I got some dead leaves and other organic material and mixed it in with the soil in the area where they would be planted.  I had originally planned on buying sand to mix in, but the ladies at my local garden store said that it was not necessary.  One of the two said they grow carrots every year, and that the carrots even grow in the clay!  She just suggested mixing in the organic material to keep the soil loose enough for the carrots to do their thing.  We will see how it turns out!

I planted one five foot row of carrots with the plan to plant more later on.  I also interspersed a few radishes to help mark the row, since they come up very quickly.  I used radishes with beets as well.  Once again I did not plant all the rows that I plan on using, but I did map the rows out so that the rows are straight and I don't accidentally overlap.  I planted beets last year, but they didn't turn out.  I am crossing my fingers that this year they will work.  The location they were in combined with the late planting and somewhat odd weather, probably lead to their demise.  So with an earlier planting time and new location, I am hoping they do better.

Last but not least, I put black plastic over the majority of the un-planted portions of my garden.  Most of the areas won't be used until I transplant my indoor seedlings, and in the case of the peppers plants, that won't be until June!  Putting the plastic down does a couple of things: 1. It reduces weed growth.  Anything that helps cut down on weeding is a plus.  (Especially a chemical free alternative!)  2. It helps warm the soil, and keep it warm.  Plants like warm soil, and watermelon REALLY likes the ground to be hot when it gets started.  The worms don't mind either.  And 3. You can plant without removing the plastic.  If you cut little holes that are just big enough for your transplant, you can leave the plastic there keeping the weeds away, and providing a 'clean' surface for your produce to grow on.  I had the plastic down for my watermelon vines last year, and it was great.  The watermelon grew right on the plastic, and required only light washing before it was ready to cut into.  It is important to pop some drainage holes in the plastic after it rains, so that the water still makes it into the soil.  The reason you wait for rain is to see where the water pools naturally.  If you would rather not wait, you can always water your plastic and do it that way.  Whatever is easiest!

More to come this week, including some photos of the seedlings.  The tomatoes are already an inch tall!

Tilling, Graphing, Over-thinking

Good news!  We got the garden tilled!  At left, you can see why tilling is important.  That is the "before" photo.  You can see the weeds that had already moved in and made themselves right at home.  But not to worry, more weeds will come to replace those that we destroyed.  The soil in the garden gets compacted over the winter as well, and needs to be loosened to allow seedlings to put down roots easily.
 To complete the task, we rented a mid-tine tiller.  Last year we got the GIANT rear-tine tiller, and Tom said it cut through the ground like butter.  Mid-tine tillers are able to cut sod, but are not powerful monsters like the rear-tines.  That meant Tom had to work extra hard to get the tiller to the correct depth.  Next year he votes for a rear-tine. Even though it is a bit over powered, it is super fast, and would dramatically cut down on the time spent tilling.  I am sure Tom's back would appreciate it too!

Here you can see the finished look of the tilled soil!  It looks 'fluffy' and ready to be planted.  You can also see a bit of my madness from the twine graph I made.  Last year I did some extreme estimating to decide how much space I had and where I could plant everything.  The main issue is that the garden plot is irregular making it extremely difficult to map out.  We rent the duplex we live in, so I had no choice on plot dimensions.  When we got here, there was a fenced in garden plot full of tall weeds.  We got rid of the weeds, tilled the garden with the mega tiller, and planted.  This year I wanted to map out my plantings a bit more, since I am planting more things and putting things in at different times.  I would hate to plant stuff, only to have to destroy it because I need the space for something else!

Behold my translated map!  Completely to scale!  The hand drawing makes it easier to see how oddly shaped the garden is.  You'll notice that I separated it into two sections.  They are actually connected, but for the purposes of my map, it was easier to separate them.  Part of the garden is not on the map.  That is the area where I already have strawberries from last year, and then a "compost" section where we store grass clippings for mulch.  It is not an official compost, since it is not covered and we do attend to it, but it does have decomposing plant life in it from last year.
Throughout my task of making a grid over the garden and then drawing my to-scale model (I made a rough draft too!), Tom was giving me the 'You know you are completely insane, right?' look.  I responded with a simple, 'Yeah, I know'  :-).  Obsessed and perfectionist are terms that would work as well, though I really just like having a structured plan and a visual to go with it.  I actually find mapping out my plantings as fun as the actual garden work!  And speaking of ACTUAL work, I had better go do some.  Will update with what I have planted asap!

Tomatoes!!!! (And More!)

For most people, April 15th is tax day.  For me, it was plant tomatoes day!  I received my  google calendar reminder that on April 15th, I was to plant tomatoes and Gaillardia flowers indoors.  And so I did.  

I have three varieties of tomato.  Big Boy, Red Tumbling Tom Tomatoes (a cherry size variety), and Mr. Stripey (an heirloom that is red with yellow 'stripes' throughout the flesh and skin.  Also sweeter than regular tomatoes).  Since I had WAY too many tomatoes last year, I have only planted two of each kind this year.  I had eight plants that survived in my garden last year, and only one of them was a Mr. Stripey.  This year there should be less cherry tomatoes, and since Mr. Stripey is not as prolific as the other two species, that should help reduce the over all harvest.  I am also working on being pro-active in preventing Late Blight, a fungus, from affecting my plants.  Last year the blight exploded across Southern Wisconsin (as well as several other states) threatening the commercial potato crop, and killing many a backyard gardener's tomato crop.  Unfortunately my local Agriculture/ Horticulture extension office has yet to say anything about Late Blight yet this spring, but it seems to be showing up rather consistently so they are bound to say something soon. 

I should probably mention that I did plant some extra tomato plants for my mom's garden as well, but those won't be in my backyard.  :-)  And speaking of my mom, I started some Arizona Sun Gaillardia plants for her today as well.  

Arizona Sun Gaillardia is a perennial with red blooms ringed in yellow (as seen in the photo at left).  This gives the blooms an orange-y appearance.  I have started them indoors, because doing so allows them to bloom their first year from seed without a cold period.  Otherwise you would only have a green plant with no flowers the first year.  I have also been a little confused by the terms 'annual' and 'perennial'.  I always want the ones you plant once and then enjoy for years to be "annual".  As in an annual event, but alas that is not the case.

And not to feel left out, I planted (indoors) a few perennials of my own as well: Origami Mix Aquilegia.  They have 3 inch blooms, and continue to bloom for 12 weeks!  They are supposed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, so I will have to let you know if it works.  Picture below for reference.  

Adventures in Gardening: SURPRISE dilemma

I have been counting down the days until the garden will be rototilled for awhile now.  After being out of town last week, I have been extra busy moving stuff that is 'un-till-able' out of the garden.  On Tuesday I accidentally discovered some VERY un-till-able objects smack dab in the middle of my garden.  I was rather enthusiastically removing the hay I had piled up around the (as it turns out) NON-perenial  Basil and pulling out the twiggy stalks left behind.  

Upon removing a large chunk of hay I saw fur and then in rapid fashion baby rabbits jumping in all directions!  My jaw dropped.  Thought one was to just replace the hay, and leave.  Thought two involved a terrible image of what would happen if the bunnies were still there this weekend when the rototilling was to happen.  Which brought me to plan A:  Make a new nest outside of the garden.  It turns out that is what professionals suggest, since the mother rabbit will look for her babies and resume care if the nest is within 10 feet of the original location.  However, the babies did not want to stay in the new nest, so I went with plan B: Shoe box.  

I gathered them up along with the nest material, and put them in a large shoe box.  Since it was after hours for businesses, I contacted a woman near by who rehabilitates wildlife.  She suggested the humane society.  I ended up going with an emergency vet clinic that takes wildlife, after unsuccessfully trying to reach the 'wildlife' lady at the humane society.  All of this craziness just to find out that the bunnies were old enough to be on their own!  Oh well.  They are probably better off away from my garden and the neighbor's pitbull terrier.  I was rather shocked that they were old enough because they were so tiny!  So you can see what I mean, I have attached a few photos.  Photos of the bunnies, and then a photo of me holding a cat toy that is slightly bigger than the little babies.  I didn't want to freak them out anymore by handling them again, so that is why I used the toy.  And no, my cat's didn't get to play with the bunnies.  I am sure they would have loved it had I let them!  (Bad Kitties!)

Plenty of Peppers!

Today I spent an hour planting the rest of the peppers.  I only mention that it took an hour, because I was somewhat amazed it took that long.  Granted, I did have to employ a few extra steps, but sitting there doing the work must have made the time fly.  At any rate, I now have seven varieties of pepper, including the habañeros, planted.  The six I planted today include four varieties of hot pepper: Hungarian Wax (or Hot Yellow), Long Slim Cayenne, Early Jalapeño, and Red Peter Peppers; and two varieties of sweet: Fat 'N' Sassy Red Bell Pepper, and Rainbow Bell Pepper Mix (includes seven different colored hybrid peppers).  


My extra steps today involved labeling each pot so that I know which plant is which.  Having grown peppers last year from a variety pack that held five types of peppers in one packet, I now know that not only are the seeds indistinguishable, but the plants look amazingly similar as well.  That leaves you waiting and wondering what the heck you planted until the fruits form, and then it is too late to plant more.  If you enjoy surprises, you can always get a variety pack or go without labels, but I sort of like to know what I have growing!  It just depends on whether or not you plan on using ALL the seeds in a pack or not.  Had I needed (or had room for) 50 hot pepper plants, I would have been able to plant all the seeds.  Then labels would not have mattered much.  But I have no idea what I would do with that many peppers, and most backyard gardeners don't.  So if you are thinking of a variety pack because you want at least one of everything in it, then you might be better off buying each individually.  I know it is saving me a lot of grief this year! 

Habañeros Appear!

My plan of moving the habañeros to a warmer location worked! Three of the five have visible sprouts and I am hoping the other two follow suit. I am attaching photos of two of the sprouts as well as a photo of some cabbage seedlings. Tomorrow I will be planting the rest of the pepper plants. Because of the way things went with the habañeros, I will start the rest of the peppers in the 'warmer' area.

Habañeros; Where are you!?

It has been a week since I planted the Habañero seeds, and there are no signs of sprouting. I am assuming that means the temperature in the room I put them in, is not high enough. Since I cannot spring for a warming mat, I have moved the tray to a less convenient, but warmer area. The outdoor forecast for this coming week looks rather promising too, which means lots of sunlight streaming into the mini greenhouse. Crossing my fingers for signs for growth!

USDA Hardiness Zones

I thought I should comment on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones, so that people know why I am planting all this stuff indoors and at the particular times I am doing so. I am following the planting guidelines for my area, which is zone 5 on the USDA plant hardiness map. If you do a search for the USDA hardiness map, you will most likely find several difficult to interpret maps. Although there are many places where it is obvious what zone one resides, there are also several locations where it is extremely difficult to tell. Most local garden stores will have that information for you, but you can also look it up online. I used a link on my local plant store's website which allows you to type in your zip-code. (http://www.jungseed.com/zonelookup.asp) Other sites, such as local horticulture and agriculture extensions, also list zip-code maps. These make it much easier since they simply tell you what zone you are in. That way you don't have to guess! Planting at appropriate zone times helps ensure plant survival when transplanted and allows full germination and harvest of plants that may otherwise die, or not fruit, if planted directly outdoors.

Habañeros

I planted five habañero plants this weekend. I added them to the cabbage flat, since there was room in there and the existing warmth (from the mini-greenhouse) will aid germination of the habañero peppers. The flats I have hold 18 peat pots, so it seemed a little silly to give the five plants their own flat! It would take longer for the humidity and heat to rise in an almost empty flat as well and hot peppers need high temperatures to germinate. Luckily the sun has decided to stick around for the next few days, which will also help!

This particular variety of habañero is a hybrid called "Burning Bush". It has all the heat of normal habañeros, but has been bred to have a 'pleasant' after taste. I was confused when I first saw on the package: "Hot Chichen Itza" listed under "Burning Bush", but I think I have figured it out. Chichen Itza is a popular early habañero hybrid that mostly has been taken a step further to create the "Burning Bush" variety. It is also most likely named for the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza found in Mexico. I am much less confused now!

I will be planting four other types of hot peppers, but they don't need as much start-up time. The habañeros called for 8-10 weeks, where the other varieties only need 6-8 weeks.

Cabbage Babies

I was surprised to see yesterday that the cabbage has already started sprouting! I guess I was a bit shocked because the leeks took so long. It is rather exciting! And speaking of the leeks, I will have to remove the lid on them soon, because they are getting rather tall. I have tall domes that I may end up using until the leeks get to a significant height. That way they will stay warm. And since the temperature is supposed to drop back down to 'snow' temps this weekend, the extra warmth will probably be needed. I will get around to putting up some photos one of these days. Visuals are always nice. :)