Zone 3-5 Gardeners Early 2010 - Page 6

[Aubergine68]

Long range forecast is looking pretty ok -- could use more rain, for sure, though. And the moon will be new!

I am going to plant all my cool-weather veggie seeds in the ground this weekend! I'm so excited

[redveg]

Wow, I guess we have all been busy with our gardens

How are things looking for everyone? My seedlings are looking fantastic! As soon as the weather permits I will be putting things in the ground. I heard we might get snow here so I am holding off for at least 2 more weeks.

[Owen'nZoe]

We're expecting frost tonight. Other than that, all is well. Veggies are coming in, and of the annuals, I think I'll be able to start harvesting radishes and lettuce in about 2 weeks. We've been using sorrel, overwintered parsnips, herbs and perennial onions already.

[lotus.blossom]

My windowsills are overrun with seedlings!!
I planted peas today. I had 8 seedlings and planted probably 80 seeds. I'm hardening my broccoli and will probably get that in in a few days, and I'm going to do beets maybe tomorrow.

I planted some pansies and hyacinth and my tulips just opened up yesterday

[Aubergine68]

Planted my seeds. I think I have some radishes coming up, bu ti has turned cooler so the rest of them are slow.

I got 26 tomato plants (various varieties) and 8 sweet and 6 hot pepper plants back from my sister's greenhouse -- about double what I usually grow of these . Also some Chinese Cabbage seedlings and bronze fennel, from saved seed. Hope that one turns out well! I so enjoyed it in my garden last year.

I planted the seedlings around the equinox. We are looking at a few days of temps dipping down to freezing at night this week, then an upturn in the weather. So it will be a good two weeks of putting the tomatoes and peppers outdoors in good weather before it makes sense at all to even think of putting them in their permanent homes.

I've been rigging a cold frame next to my house out of watering cans filled with warm water (for the walls) and plastic to cover the seedlings so they can get some decent sunlight. They seem pretty happy

I transplanted the tomatoes into larger pots and staked them, with a little fuzzy wool yarn to tie them to the sticks. Looks like I tried to knit them little sweaters

Hoping for more rain here. Don't mind the cool weather if we get rain -- I'd take snow, too.

[zensven42]

1

[heavensearth]

Originally Posted by zensven42

Arg, still no asparagus here in Grand Forks zone 3/4. Anyone else here in North Dakota have any coming up yet? I am starting to worry it died over the winter. It is Purple Passion variety so I know it is suited to this area. Thanks!

Kristin SS

None here in Winnipeg, I think its still too early

Our seedlings are looking good! they have about another month inside before we can put them outside! I think we'll sow our lettuce, radish and beets into the raised beds this weekend.

[Hibou]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

Also some Chinese Cabbage seedlings



I've been rigging a cold frame next to my house out of watering cans filled with warm water (for the walls) and plastic to cover the seedlings so they can get some decent sunlight. They seem pretty happy

Chinese cabbages sound interesting. It would be nice to have some homegrown for making kimchi. Any specific varieties to recommend?

What kinds of things have you put in your cold frame?

Originally Posted by zensven42

Arg, still no asparagus here in Grand Forks zone 3/4. Anyone else here in North Dakota have any coming up yet? I am starting to worry it died over the winter. It is Purple Passion variety so I know it is suited to this area. Thanks!

Kristin SS

I'd say it's too early yet too.

Last week it was beautiful and warm here, so I was prepping beds. I planted carrot seeds, and a few other roots (parsnip, salsify, scorzonera), as well as onion sets and some leek seeds. Last year was the first time I'd tried leek, parsnip, salsify, and scorzonera, and it was such a crummy year for gardening that they all failed. I'm hoping for better luck (and weather) this year. I've got my pea beds prepped, but we've been having snow and rain, and it's gotten cold again, so I think I'll hold off until it warms up again. In the meantime, maybe I'll pop over to the nursery and see what kinds of fruit trees/bushes they have in stock. I love going through a nice warm greenhouse on a chilly spring day!

We've also been nibbling greens from our cold frame!! The lettuces are doing really well, but bugs have already got at the mustard greens. I really should think about trying diatomaceous earth this year.

[jildez]

i haven't been able to find the supposed asparugus in my backyard here in central iowa, so not sure about that.

As for us, we have potatoes, onions, peas, beets and chard in the ground, and today my husband added carrots and radishes. SO far only the onions are showing themselves. However, today was a beautiful day and i put my seedlings outside. As i was nursing the baby, the wind picked up, and picked up most of the gallon jugs with my seedlings in them! All that survived were the marjoram, the thai basil and my already very lately planted peppers. So bummed.

[HeatherAtHome]

This is my first year gardening. When I started tomatoes indoors, I sprinkled some seeds in a pot and figured *some* of them would grow. Well, I think ALL of them grew. I've been transplanting them today and having to leave some behind. I feel like a monster! Next year I will place them out nicely and keep them all. I did that with the peppers and all of them are growing up nicely and won't have to be thinned. As it is now, I'll possibly have over 40 plants. I'm giving some to my parents... but this is ridiculous! I should have space for them all.... and I do want to make a lot of spaghetti sauce.

[BedHead]

Winter storm warning in effect here in Alberta today! 3 weeks from this weekend is garden planting weekend

[lunarlady]

It has been warm and sunny this past week, tempting me to the garden. But today I woke to several inches of snow. Sigh. I was happy when the sun popped out this afternoon and most of it melted away. I guess I'm glad I've only planted the onions, peas, and parsnips, all of which should survive a bit of snow (I hope.)

[lotus.blossom]

I have asperagus! Just a few stalks. Super tasty! I can't believe some of you are still dealing with snow! Its been rainy and gusty here and today there were a few flakes swirling around. I keep putting off planting my broccoli. Peas are in though. And beets are next.

My pumpkin seedlings are over a foot tall. They are climbing the windows!
Heatherathome- I feel horrible about thinning seedlings too but its so much easier to do it early than to try to untangle later!

[limette]

Well I just canceled all my orders, the roses the fruit trees everything.

There is a very good chance that we'll be moving to a zone 5 or 6 location in the next couple of months, so not much point planting anything permanent here.

I still have my seedlings going and will plant my potatoes and stuff just in case we are still here by the end of the summer.

[COgirl19]

Linette - good luck with the move, at least you will have better gardening wherever you go.

So after a 70 degree day, I woke up to snow the next morning. Colorado weather is so unpredictable it's driving me crazy. However, the long range forecast looks cool but not too cool and I think it is time to get my winter seedlings in the ground, they are cool weather veggies anyway. I have loads of cauliflower and collards and carrots. A couple of eggplants and hot peppers sprouted but I may wait on those as they are more sensitive to the cold. Later this week I may sow some seedlings for the warmer weather stuff like bell peppers and tomatoes.

We spent way to much money at the garden store this morning but I now have tons of flowers to put in my little flower garden in the side yard. DD will also have her own little flower pot to take care of which she is excited about.

[springmum]

Hi

Got some things planted today - yay!!

I'm counting this as my learning year, so I'm planting a lot of different things all from seed (except peppers), and we'll see what works best.

I have about 25feet by 15feet of garden space to use, so I'm pretty excited.

Today I planted (approx 1 12 foot long row of each):
- carrots
- leeks (realizing now, I planted waaaaaay too many....hope they freeze well??)
- swiss chard
- broccoli
- beets
- sweet peas
- collard & kale (wasn't actually sure if they should go in now, but figured I would try, and if it's too soon, I'll just try again in a month)

It's been unseasonably warm here, so not sure when the last frost will be.

I've got all my warmer seeds ready. I think the only thing I will try to start indoors is peppers.

What do you do with extra seeds?

Sounds like some great gardens are happening!

[lotus.blossom]

Sounds good springmum! Where are you located?

I'd recommend starting tomatoes indoors as well as your peppers.
I only direct seed beets, cukes, beans, and peas.
I save my extras for the following year. Its worked just fine for me.

I planted my broccoli seedlings today and planted beet seeds. I'm hardening off some lettuce and snapdragons (which reminds me.....gotta bring them in for the night!)

[springmum]

Well my garden and I have a long distance relationship
I'm in the Toronto area, and my garden is at my brothers farm 1 1/2 hours north of here (zone 4b) It's a great excuse for us to get out of the city at least once a week, but I am going to be the weeding queen with all the space I have to care for!

I've started my peppers inside, and decided not to do tomatoes this year. I'm starting a few strawberry plants inside right now too, b/c I have leftovers from DS's b-day party favours. Looks like I may add a sunflower or 2 for the same reason.

Happy gardening!

[HeatherAtHome]

I lost a LOT of tomato plants. I can't go into the details again, I wrote about it here. I feel pretty awful about it.

Good news is that I remembered I have this cube box thing made out of Plexiglas or something and I'm trying it out this morning (warm, sunny) on the porch with some remaining tomato plants in it. Checking them every 20-30 minutes to make sure they're ok and I have a temperature gun so I can see what the temp is inside. I got the box from an old restaurant I used to work at. They displayed cookies and muffins inside.

The garden space should be tilled next week when my Dad brings his rototiller.

We're tearing up the wilderness. I have most of the weeds/grass jungle raked up and picked the worst of the stones. The raspberry bushes were surprisingly easier to rip up. I'm keeping some.

DH wouldn't believe me that we needed an 8 ft deer fence so I told him to ask around at work (lots of farmers). They told him to get 10 ft poles and bury them 2 ft in the ground. Phew!

I'm thinking of planting some lettuce today in one of the beds in front of the house. Need to check details to make sure it's not too early.

Feeling great, like things are actually happening!

And to top it off, the grader (?) just went by so the 20 million potholes in front of our house should disappear. People always slow down for them and I keep thinking someone is stopping at our house!

I can just tell it's going to be a good day!

[purslaine]

Hello!

My name is Kathy and I live near Ottawa - which makes me 4B or 5A.

I am trying very, very hard not to plant anything until May 15th or so. Well, I did give in and plant potatoes -but seeing as they are planted quite deep, I should be fine even with a light frost.

I am going to plant some totmatoes, lettuce, squash, basil and carrots next week. I don't start anything inside as I have a horrible history with seedlings in tiny pots. They always dry out.

I already have garlic, green onions, oregano and thyme up. Yum.

I am thinking of doing lasagna gardenning or getting straw (easy where I live) and putting it between the rows. Hmmmm...

I am hoping for 2 rounds of plantings - if things take 60 days to fruition (and I always get fast growing suff) I might be able to get 2 rounds of stuff into the ground. I am not sure how that will work but we will see.