|
Angels in My Garden Week #7 February 15 2010 |
|
"There are no gardening mistakes, only experiments." -- Janet Kilburn Phillips
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
Well, we're more than half way through winter and it's time to get to work. I hope you've gathered some small pots and purchased some organic potting soil for planting those seeds that need to be started indoors. By the way, Home Depot sells organic potting soil and pots of all sizes. The reason we start some seeds indoors is because our climate doesn't provide a long enough growing season for those plants. But we shouldn't be too hasty. If we plant too early the seedlings will get too big for their indoor pots. On the other hand, if we wait too long, they won't be strong enough to transplant when the time is right for them to go in the ground. Some people will start certain seeds like lettuce, onions, and cucumbers indoors even though they do very well when planted directly in the garden. I think this is a waste of time and effort and, since transplanting always puts some stress on the plant, it is an unnecessary risk. Below is a list of the plants that need to be started indoors in the zoning areas that we live in and guidelines on when to do your indoor planting. A week or so earlier or later will not make a big difference, so don't worry if you still have to go out and purchase some pots and soil, just try to do it before the next big snow storm hits.
Western PA Bethesda MD/ Washington DC Broccoli now now Cabbage now now Cauliflower now now eggplant 3 wks from now 1 week from now peppers 3 wks from now 1 week from now tomatoes 4 wks from now 2 weeks from now
I like to use pots that range in size from about 3 – 4 ½ inches in diameter, with the ones on the bigger end for cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli. I suggest you plant one or two seeds in each pot, the second one being a kind of insurance policy. If both sprout, wait until they have grown to a couple of inches and then cut off (DO NOT PULL OUT) the smaller one at the soil level. For further instructions on indoor planting see week #5 on the website (www.makegardensnotwar.com). Don't forget, if you have questions, you can contact me by replying to this email.
Reflection: As we learn about growing a vegetable garden let's not forget the quote at the top of this week's lesson. There will probably be differences of opinion about how to do just about everything from every gardener you will meet. And, in gardening there are many “right” ways. So don't worry about doing it right or wrong. Just get into it, enjoy it and, as your experience grows so will your gardening intuition and after a while you will become your own “expert.” Here are a few words about the origin of wisdom:
The Angel of Wisdom, Who maketh man free from fear, Wide of heart, And easy of conscience: Holy Wisdom, The Understanding that unfolds, Continuously, As a holy scroll, Yet does not come through learning. All wisdom cometh From the Heavenly Father,
|