This past weekend, I finally got around to sowing the first seeds for 2011. I must admit that up until now, I'd been struggling to get motivated. Then it hit me that February was here, which meant that March was just around the corner. My anxiety ended up winning out over my laziness.
I started a few cells of scallions, several varieties of lettuce, celery and spinach. I also soaked some artichoke seeds for a day and then placed them in a plastic container lined with some damp paper towels. Hopefully they'll sprout in a week or so. I had success starting them this way last year and fingers crossed it will work again this year.
I also started a couple trays of white stemmed mini bok choy. These will be harvested as microgreens. I figured that since the hoop house was half buried in snow right now, these greens will help tie us over until the winter warms u a bit.
Now that the spring gardening underway, I'm looking forward to doings more. How is your seed starting going?
I was wondering where you were. I was feeling the same way in Dec but pushed myself to get going earlier this year. Last year I started a month later than 2009 and I could tell the difference. I have started some seeds and need to start a second wave here soon. You can check out my blog for the details.
ReplyDeleteGreat start to your seed starting. Doesn't feel good? :-)
Nice baby greens you have growing there!! I also have sowed my first seedlings of the year!
ReplyDeleteNice done! It seems like I should start my seeds now! Does spinach need to be started early? I've never done that before.
ReplyDeleteI am off to plant some Autumn seeds for my winter veggies. I will be putting in broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, turnips, and various onion for a start. I am fortunate to live in a place with a much milder climate than yours. happy germinating!
ReplyDeleteGreen seedlings brighten up the dark days of winter. There is nothing more uplifting than the first trays of young plants heralding the eventual approach of spring. :D
ReplyDeleteOh wow, these look amazing!
ReplyDeleteWell, when I read your seed starting post last week I thought you had already started. I was feeling the anxiety for not starting my seeds yet. I finally got around to it yesterday. Started a couple of trays of basil for window gardens, and three trays of lettuce. Today, I'll finish with onions, more lettuce, baby bok choy, celery, asparagus and rhubarb. Hopefully, I'll get some pictures to my blog tonight.
ReplyDeleteI started artichokes a week ago. But I just sowed them without soaking them first. If they don't sprout in next 10 days, I will do what you did, as I have some seeds left.
ReplyDeleteI've only started my onions. I need to get some more soil mix so I can start some more in a week or two. I have a lot ordered though the NOFA buy, but it won't come until March 12th. I'm not sure I can wait that long. Too many things need to be started before that.
ReplyDeleteI started my onions early and they are due for another haircut. My lettuce and spinach seedlings are giving us a few salads each week.
ReplyDeleteI have potted up some herbs that will eventually go on the windowsill when the sun gets a little stronger. For now they are still under the lights until the space is needed.
I like seeing and enjoying some greens during this long winter. It gives me hope that spring will be here eventually.
I started my Alpine strawberries, I used a heating mat and they germintated in about a week rather than the 30 days the packet stated! Now they're under lights. I plan to use them in my garden beds and let them become a groundcover. I'm making my landscaping edible: low bush blueberries, lingonberries, etc.
ReplyDeleteOh those photos of the little green sprouts made my heart sing. Yup..it's that time and I have been advised, start leeks very soon. Lady bugs have hatched in the summerhouse...so tickled. Great photos, you have a great head start! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI can't start any seeds for another month or so. It's really difficult to wait...I really have to use my will power!
ReplyDeleteNice! I finally got motivated too, although just the early stuff like broccoli & greens.
ReplyDeleteI have two flats of spinach I started in early December, just for sanity's sake. (We're zone 4b/5a on Colorado's Front Range). Mid-January, I started some tomatoes, broccoli, br sprouts, leeks, scallions and beets. Two days ago I started more tomatoes, carrots (an experiment)onions and sweet bells and potted up the broccoli, br. sprouts, leeks and tomatoes from the previous month (potted up a bit soon, because I had a bit of an accident with one of the flats, but I rescued most of what had sprouted).
ReplyDeleteYou're reminding me to start some winter greens too. I don't have my mini hoops set up on the garden yet; been too dang cold. May do that in the next week or so, if the milder weather looks to be holding. *crossing fingers*
I was wondering if you are using soil blocks. I am considering using a soil block maker and would love to hear more about your experince, Vincent
ReplyDeleteLooks like your seeds are doing pretty well.
ReplyDeleteWe started a whole slew of lettuces that have already made it into the greenhouse ground but I started the difficult seeds: astragalus, sea kale. Next week: celeriac.
ReplyDeleteI got a heated propagator from the adoring family this Christmas - and then you guys start uping your game with lights!!!
ReplyDeleteI am ready to start, but have been waiting to plant veggies, this is my first year starting from seeds and not sure if it is still too early for tomato, peppers, cucumber, eggplant, squash, zuccini, watermelon?
ReplyDeleteI've got all my pepper seed packets (yikes, 16 varieties) lined up on the desk and need to get them sowed and put under lights on heat mats. I'll wait a few more weeks before I start the tomatoes and eggplant. Other starts (peas, beets, lettuce, and such) are already under way but we've had such mild weather so far this year that they get to go outside most days. It's been cold enough at night that I bring them inside.
ReplyDeleteGood to know other Bostonians are starting seeds. I worried I'd started too early. Looks great. You've got a nice set up.
ReplyDeleteWhat lights are you using? We started with new shop lights with T12 bulbs.
ReplyDeleteI always have started my greens and onions outside. Do you do this so you can harvest faster once it is safe outside? I am just starting out and have 2 4x8 raised beds, and my hubby is putting in 2 more, one next to our fence to raise vining stuff, and one more to do various potatoes which I have never done. Will I be okay starting these things outside, as I have no grow lites ect,
ReplyDeletethank you, and am really enjoying the site!