weeds n seeds's Blog at GardenStew.com

SOME SNOW, SOME SEEDS

weeds n seeds — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:20:33 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:20 pm (GMT 0)

Is that time of year when you don't know whether to put on a suumer tee shirt or drag out the scratchy ole red woolens and worm your way into those. October saw quite a bit of snow; so far November's been very mild and pleasant. However, today we have a coating of white on the ground and decorating the now-barren tree/bush branches letting us know it can still SNOW when it wants to. A good day to write a blog entry..
Garden seemed to be at least a month behind all season due to more rain than we've been having (6-year drought is now OVER!), plus temps seemed much cooler than what they have been. The cool weather crops did excellant: planted six early "Golden Ace" cabbages that were 4-6 pound solid "rocks" at harvest time. They afforded many meals plus froze and dehydrated cabbage til I couldn't look at it anymore, gave a few heads away after. This really isn't Brussel's sprouts growing country, but managed several pickings off them as well, plants were like trees!
New raised bed herb garden FLOURISHED despite the fact I loaded it up with a lot of sawdust and was really wondering how it'd effect the nitrogen content in soil. Herbs pouted at first, then took off and became somewhat of a "jungle", especially an origanum vulgaris that simply wanted to take over! To help retain winter sun heat, have placed large stones all around the wooden structure, so we shall see what Spring brings and IF everything's survived.
Tomatoes gave me never-ending headaches! Grew like they should, set fruit then put the "skids" on ripening, just sat there doing nothing, was really getting doubtful there. Seemed as if, in September, they all decided to come in at ONCE, spent a few days picking/canning/freezing as fast as I possibly could as frost time was nearly upon us. Plum tomatoes, grown in an Earth Box, began showing signs of blossom-end rot (which plums are noted for) in August, ran for the EPSOM SALTS quick! Poured a good handful into E.B.'s reservoir, also put a few handfuls on exposed soil of plant's stems. End result was only a very few were lost due to the problem, had more than enough good ones for making salsa and spaghetti sauce, eating a few in salads also. These plants (an indeterminate heirloom variety called "Vis") were MASSIVE and full of fruit. As I don't "sucker" tomato plants, realized something had to be done to aid in the ripening process, took the pruners to them and hoped for the best after a GOOD denuding! Two plants trimmed back yielded almost 8 gallons of cut-up green matter for the composter, and I still don't think I took quite enough off, but could..at least..see what was there and ripen they did! Got almost 50 plums off each one!
Been growing a determinate tomato called "Ugly" last two years, is a rather late season type, and as it's name implies, it IS UGLY. Not a heavy producer, but what you get are simple delicious 1-pounders (or more) from them, grow like beefsteaks, have almost pie-wedged sections to the fruits. Plants grow 3-4 feet high, definately need strong staking for support, and most of their energy seems to go into fruit-forming, not lush growth. Have been very impressed with "Ugly"! (Seed came from Tomato Growers, but haven't seen it listed for this year yet.)
The "Bush Early Girl's" again came thru with flying colors, as did "Patio Tomatoes" grown in 2-gallon containers (for little plants, these amazed me with a least a dozen tennis-ball sized fruits on each one). Peppers, grown in Earth Boxs also, outdid themselves; am now patiently awaiting for some pickled stuffed Italian cherry peppers to finish "curing" for crossing the ole pallet. Froze the "King of the North" bells for soups, stews and flavoring in dishes, others went into Italian sausage and peppers for eating right now! Of course, my pride and joy for 2009 were the heirloom "Purple Viking Potatoes"..am keeping fingers CROSSED Gardens Alive! has the seed ones again for 2010! Really LIKE these spuds!!
Purchased some new seed for next season, went through seeds I have on hand (and do I have SEEDS), now to begin the process of deciding what to plant; when to start differant varieties; mainly, where to PUT everything. Greenhouse is ready for leaf lettuce in late January; sunroom heat mats/flats/cells/soils are waitung to be put into use..and I'm more than ready to START! Still have "green" around me in the form of numerous house plants tho': will have "color" shortly when the zygo cacti begin blooming, then kalanchoes, then an orchid cactus and other orchids. A few plants brought in for over-wintering are still blooming in sunroom, just make my day when it's dark and cloudy..with snow on the ground..like today is. As they say: "gardening isn't a hobby..it's an OBSESSION".

Relaxing today

weeds n seeds — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:07:28 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2009 8:07 pm (GMT 0)

Time has just FLOWN by lately, so..today..am just relaxing (?) and getting caught up on a few things, mainly an up-to-date blog!
My sister, THE gardener in the family who works for a big commercial nursury Back East, was here for a 2-week visit beginning of July and we had a BALL! Of course, we just HAD to "visit" the majority of local nursuries in Casper..all I can say is it's a GOOD THING I own a pickup truck! As Fate would have it, every one we went to were having SALES of buy one, get one free, or 50% off on all plants. Now, I'm bad enough ALONE, but with "help"? Just use your imagination there and you'll get the idea!
Thankfully I still had some empty, good-sized pots and plenty of ProMix BX commercial potting mix on hand, and my little sister taught this Ole Hand a few things about transplanting into containers! First thing she did (and I almost CRIED!!) was give every plant a good haircut as they were getting a bit on the leggy side. I was "informed" pre-wetting the soils beforehand wasn't necessary (WHAT?), and this was followed by a quick handful of 16-12-12 timed-released fertilizer mixed into the medium prior to planting (OKAY! Could live with THAT!). Next came the actual transplanting where I KNOW my JAW hit the FLOOR! I DO break up congested root systems of pot-bound plants, but what I saw HERE had me absolutely speechless..and THIS is HARD to DO with MY mouth! Any roots extending out bottom of pots were unmercifully RIPPED OFF, then unpotted, root-bound plants got..basically..the same treatment as I was TOLD I'm "just too easy on things, gotta be FAST and ROUGH on them! Plants LOVE the abuse!" (nightmare time!!). Finally, after all were done, we got the hose and SOAKED every pot/container til they were good and wet, after which they were placed in a shady spot for a few days to recover (figued IF the handling didn't do 'em in, the watering sure would!!).
So, what's happened? ALL the new additions are simply BEAUTIFUL, and DO I stand corrected on a number of things in regards to gardening! I DO NOT LIKE Miracle Grow products, but one of my "lessons" was that THIS is what commercial growers use to push their plants along: Miracle Grow 20-10-20 pelleted, time-released fertilizer that cannot be found in stores, but can be ordered thru Miracle Grow products online (thank you, Sis! as I CHOKE on the unseasoned crow I'm about to EAT!).
Oh yes.learned quite a bit during the visit as we compared notes on differant plants, methods used, etc..was just too much for WORDS and I now have some NEW plants to hold over for next year, and/or propagate from that aren't patented ones. All I need NOW is the ROOM to do it...and I'll make it somehow!
We've had quite a bit of rain last few months, so what I have going really looked quite impressive to The Pro, was simply overjoyed to get a big "Thumbs UP" on appearances. THAT ment a LOT after all the hard work..since last fall..to revamp raised beds, keep WEEDS down and plants somewhat bug-free. Needless to say, I feel GOOD about this years efforts.
Visit wasn't ALL gardening: we did manage to have day trips to neighboring towns to visit with friends, and did get up on Casper Mountain to see the sights. Central Wyoming Fair was in progress, so we went there a few days..at 9 a.m.!..to watch livestock judging, see the vegetable/flower exhibits when they finally opened to the public. Few nights before Sis left, we attended the final night of the PRCA rodeo held in conjunction with the Fair. I'd gotten reserved "chute seats" a month in advance, seats were 2 rows behind the livestock chutes..were simply AWESOME! Parked out amid the livestock vans/horse trailers in their designated lot; got to get an "eyeball-to-eyeball" view of the bucking horse stock/BULLS on way to seats, saw the REAL size of them TV shows don't afford! Gotta give those cowboys that RIDE those things all the credit in the WORLD as the livestock used is HUGE, and MEAN LOOKING even just standing idle in the pens! I, now, have a much greater respect for the PBR (Pro Bull Riders) than I did previously..and any rodeo riders of the BIG animals!
Weather, the 2 weeks, put on a real Wyoming SHOW! Had 2 inches of rain in 40 minutes one night, cinplete with HAIL and tornado warning sirens going off. Other days it was high winds, clouds rolling in, hail and smaller downpours that came/went in no time. Plants got flattened by winds; leaves looked like Swiss cheese after hail stones beat them up; had lowland flooding in town; roads were washed out; but everything's survived..somehow!..and is thriving despite it all. Has been QUITE the summer to date!

Lost In Time

weeds n seeds — Sat, 23 May 2009 11:20:42 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 3:20 pm (GMT 0)

Don't know where the last two months have gone: seems like just yesterday I was planning gardens and now it's time to begin planting starts/seeds, worrying about BUGS!
Winter wasn't kind. I've noticed many things seem to be totally "out of whack" in their blooming cycles and/or simply leafing out. The daffies came up and bloomed before the tulips; lilac's..usually loaded with fragrant blossoms..are still sporting purplish colored leaves and only have SIX blooms on the entire bush; a China Rose bush didn't bloom at all; and it appears the Japanese lilacs/gooseberries will be bloomless as well. The roses are very "sad" appearing, but the herbs, Oriental poppies, and WEEDS seem to be outdoing themselves very nicely! Weather has been such it would seem the poor plants really don't know which way to turn: grow up or head back to where they came from.
Anyway: everything's prepared and ready to go..finally! Containers and old existing raised beds have all been emptied, refilled with new soils containing some "perker-uppers": cabbages, potatoes, brocolli, Brussels sprout starts and some seeds planted directly out. Greenhouse is full of plants waiting to be permanently transplanted; sunroom's overflowing with hanging baskets of ivy geraniums, etc. that'll take two days to move there's so many of them! If nothing else, yard should be quite colorful very shortly!
I've had an awful time getting seeds to germinate this year despite the proper care..has me totally stymied. Am almost ashamed of the peppers and tomatoes, but they'll either GROW once outside..or they won't, I guess. The vines (squash, cukes and zucchini) are even a bit on the slow side in growth, but are very healthy looking none-the-less. What's drastically needed, here, is some stabilized warmth instead of 80 one day, 50 the next and everything will begin to flourish..I have FAITH!
With all the yard work and "garden prep", I've seemed to have lost all track of time as of late. Been stockpiling bags of refuse, that can be used for composting at local landfill, for last few months, leaving them in the garage. Loaded the pickup to the BRIM with everything yesterday and made the trip: were landscapers there unloading grass clipping, etc. and I discovered I had MORE than they did..which got me laughing a bit. It must have looked like I'd been out "collecting" around the neighborhood instead of from ONE YARD! I salvage whatever I can for my own barrel composter, so all this other was weeds, branches, more weeds, cut up fallen tree limbs and twigs: was quite the assortment! Didn't realize I had so much til I had to empty it all out..and I wonder WHERE the TIME went?
Antelope have royally "dined" on easily accessible tulips in front yard, mowed 'em down to ground level! One recent afternoon there was a turkey parade right down the middle of the street: looked like the whole road turned into feathers with feet! Counted over 30, mostly hens but there were a few big tom's that blew up like balloons and strutted their stuff while stopping traffic BOTH WAYS! Was quite the sight to behold, a real "rarity" down here on the flats. Never even thought to grab the camera and take pictures, sure missed a "Kodak Moment" there! Think I'm lost in time...

MARCH MADNESS

weeds n seeds — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 16:36:56 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 8:36 pm (GMT 0)

March came in like a lamb (in Wyoming?) with days trying their best to reach 60 degrees despite winds! Snow drifts were still to be found in cooler shaded areas of yards, but where the welcomed warmth of sunlight hit, tulips began breaking dormancy and showing little mounds of coming thru the soil. Was time to go to WORK!
Two new raised bed frames had been sitting in workshop, needed "paver" block platforms built to keep invasive tree roots out before setting in place; some herbs needed digging out of their bed and potted; an old raised bed needed emptying and moving; the days were just perfect to be outside, get started.
The new platforms were installed, the frames set on them; the old frame set in place and designated to be nothing BUT an herb one, the potted-up herbs (in the greenhouse for time being) will be a good start in planting it as there's garden sage, oregano and hyssop that are already well established to this climate.
March 1 saw the seeding of decorative kales (5 varieties), other members of the brassica family slated for food, the tray of cells placed on a heat mat in sunroom that faces south, gets plenty of natural light..were beginning to germinate within 4 days, are now all up!
March 5 saw the seeding of a tray of various herbs, then flowers, flowers and MORE flowers, 10 trays in all or close to 400 plants! Due to daytime solar heat, nightime bottom heat from mats, action has already began with gazanias, bachelor buttons, moss roses and statice showing growth, expect petunias, etc. to begin any time. Wasn't room for everything on the mats, rest of trays were put in an "indoor greenhouse" on racks, will take a bit longer to show growth as it's not heated nights but sunroom is "holding" at 60 degrees then.. they can take it!
Between the outside work, filling of trays/planting seeds and jockeying around holdovers in sunbroom to make space for everything, had quite the busy time for a bit there! The excercise felt awfully GOOD tho', and these ole 67 year bones didn't seem to mind that much after a long winters' layoff.
My little dog "supervised" everything of course, his major worry was wondering if he'd EVER get fed once we started in, was greatly relieved when I rang his dinner bell on schedule each day, doled out the treats after..gotta keep the "Buddy" happy!
Today it's decided to snow, but it IS early March and to be expected here. However, I look out at empty planters and "see" them full of colorful blooms, vegetables growing and herbs thriving..must be MARCH MADNESS in all it's glory!

Spring fever and windmills

weeds n seeds — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 16:08:26 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 9:08 pm (GMT 0)

Is Feb. 5, day is simple GORGEOUS despite the never-ending Wyoming winds, and snow..from last weeks storm..IS melting off slowly but surely. Moved boxes of freshly planted leaf lettuce seeds and spinach out into greehouse yesterday, NOW for them to just start GROWING as all they have is bottom heat for time being, and warmth from solar heat days. Expect first "shoots" to appear in near future, be "harvesting" the crop by mid-March.
In my yard is an ancient relic of an 8 foot decorative windmill that's broken down to point I have to keep the vanes jammed with pieces of wood so it WON'T work. A vane "snapped" it's weld 3 years ago, sadly discovered there was NO HOPE of mending it and, if left to rotate like a windmill should, you can hear the "clanking" a mile away! Poor bearings are also shot from years of abuse by our winds, would put a Screech Owl to shame when WD40 hasn't been applied on a regular basis. In short, this item I dearly LOVE is now facing replacement with a brand new one!
Was a cold nasty day in Dec., and..for some reason..decided to investigate windmills on the internet. Several sites down the line, lo and behold!, there was just what I was looking for AND shipping was FREE! A galvanized metal 8 footer to put together YOURSELF!, cost: $129. Ordered it in, arrived 2 weeks later, box has been sitting in garage ever since as I was almost AFRAID to open it, see what I may be facing!
Spring fever moved me to saying TODAY was THE Day!! Got box into sunroom; opened it; labeled everything as to what pieces go WHERE; was totally SURPRISED the vane..itself..was prefabbed and ready for installation on tower..WHEN done and in place!
Will move ALL pieces out into workshop tomorrow, start screwing away to "build" this windmill, marvel at MY "expertise" in putting something like this together! Of course, the MAJOR project will getting it from workshop to permanent home in yard AFTER removing old one from it's place of prominence, but I have a really SWEET brother-in-law to help with things like this.
I'm REALLY quite EXCITED about this venture: have hanging baskets of ivy geraniums (growing) I can just SEE adorning the mill to beautify it for summer! For some ODD reason, I just CAN'T PICTURE my yard without one, and the TIME surely has COME for a new windmill to see me thru next several years. AND it's taking the edge off the relentless "cabin fever" of this time of year! Worse comes to worse? I just may have a windmill for sale..AS IS!, shipping FREE!

Beginning the New Year

weeds n seeds — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:13:45 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:13 pm (GMT 0)

The year of 2009 has..literally..been "blown in" by the Wyoming winds! Christmas Eve Day saw gusts upwards of 75 MPH, with a steady 45 MPH in between, that caused blowing snow and all kinds of good things floating in the air. Found a section of flexible drain pipe laying in front drive that drifted in from somewhere; plastic bags were decorating the bushes and trees; empty garbage cans were rolling around before their owners could get to them, and the tube bird feeders were flopping in ALL directions!
That night, about 9 p.m., was watching a program called "Ghost Hunters" when something hit the front window..right in back of my chair!..with a THUD, followed by "thloop! Thloop! Thloop!" that had me outta that chair in nothing flat! I thought I'd been HAD and that the "spooks" were surely knocking on my door! Looked out just in time for the SECOND "attack" that got me back paddlin' faster than I realized I could MOVE! The culprit was an Eurasion collared turtle dove that I went out and rescued with shaking hands (and whole shaking body!), took out into middle of yard an released..minus a few feathers. There's been a number of them present lately, roost in the cedar tree by front door, and all I can figure is it kinnda lost its grip on a branch and the WIND did the rest, causing a number of NEW gray hairs in the process! That was Christmas.
New Years Eve day, winds were at it AGAIN, but loaded up my little Australian Shepard and went to do some much needed shopping. Went by a not-yet-completed duplex being built whose newly shingled roof didn't look "just right": at LEAST 24 shingles had been loosened and were standing UPRIGHT due to the winds: thought "that contractor isn't going to be a very happy camper" when he returns to work! From there, it was dodging bags of garbage blown out of tipped over cans, getting the truck "rocked" at stop lights til I FINALLY made the store! Got out of pickup, then went PARI-SAILING across parking lot to front door of the place in RECORD TIME, looked like an old witch that just had a very bad ride around the neighborhood on her broom! Got what I needed, including a 50 pound bag of birdseed, and headed back to the truck, going INTO the wind this time! Cart, groceries, bird seed and I went east, west, a bit south then due north before getting back heading east again to..eventually..make it. Unloaded the items into truck bed (while trying to keep cart, with my foot, from taking off to parts unknown), just closed the tailgate and shell topper when a GUST hit me so HARD I was 10 feet down the parking lot before I knew it! Some nice gentleman, going by, laughingly offered to take the cart back..I didn't ARGUE one bit, said "thank you, SIR!", but think the words blew into the next town.
Winds continued into New Years Day, and here She is, another howler this one. We DO get the WINDS, yes!, but my heart goes out to those on the East Coast who've had devastating ice storms, snow and unusual winds for there. Our trees are use to the abuse, grew up with it and have adapted to their surroundings, not so those stately eastern rigid oaks, etc. who've suffered a lot of damage due to the elements, wind just isn't in their vocabulary!
I think I've "winded" enough...

ENDING 2008

weeds n seeds — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 17:09:47 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:09 pm (GMT 0)

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a very happy, prosperous and good-growing New Year in advance of the change from 2008 to 2009. Secondly, I would like to let everyone know how MUCH I APPRECIATE this site and all the people involved: it is so GREAT to learn from people all over the world about differant methods of raising plants, problems/solutions associated with such! I THANK YOU ALL!
Am in the process of trying to figure out IF I can grow everything in containers I'd like to in the coming year, and where the devil to put them! My yard(s) aren't small but there's a lot of "spot" shade places due to perimeter trees on property. Have an area between house and massive workshop that would be IDEAL for vines except for two factors: antelope invade that section to browse on "succulent, ABUNDANT weeds" (got to cater to these critters all I can! Are being forced off native feeding grounds under the guise of "progress"), and the area receives NO air circulation at times, temps can get upwards of 120 degrees between the buildings on a still (YEP! Actually get those every millinium in Wyoming) day. As I don't want the fenced in area, where I grow 100% of plants now, looking like a hodge-podge container nightmare, have spray painted "regulars" with a color that blends in with color scheme of ground and makes them almost invisable from a distance..think I have MORE work ahead of me if I want to eat well in the future, cram things just a bit closer into a somewhat pleasing style (isn't that part of the gardening EGO tho'? Gotta have everything "just so".. container-wise or in a plot/lottie. Us gardeners are PROUD people and WELL we SHOULD BE when it comes to eye-appeal, square foot/companion planting and blending everything into surroundings, PLUS what we attain from it all for personal use or to give away to someone needy. We're GOOD at what we do! Need I say more?)
Tears in beers; weeds from seeds; rain and pain; flops in crops: may your New Year be an exceptionally productive, GOOD one regardless. My best wishes to ALL, Weeds n Seeds

The "Woman's Knife"

weeds n seeds — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:18:45 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Mon Oct 20, 2008 9:18 pm (GMT 0)

Several days ago I made a huge pot of split pea soup and relied on my 20 year-old ulu, as usual, to chop the necessary vegetables into edible pieces. Now, you ask "what the devil is an ulu"?
First of all, the implement's name is pronounced "ooo-loo"; it dates back some 2,500 years; is the Alaskan Inuit womans all purpose knife that's used for anything from skinning/cleaning animals to cutting a childs hair and everything inbetween! At one point in time, the ulu was made with caribou antler for the handle and sharp slate rock to cut with, then came the introduction of metal for use as the blade (old, discarded saw blades were once used and honed to a fine cutting edge). The overall design hasn't changed a bit over the centuries, is basically the same as it was eons ago.
When I lived in Southeastern Alaska, ulus were for sale anywhere there was a souvenier shop, were touted as being only available in Alaska. I was in Anchorage for a training seminar, happened into a grocery store that had wooden-handled ulus for $4.98, so purchased one as the price was sure right (these can sell for as much as $200 depending on craftsmanship involved): was one of the BEST investments I ever made!
Because of price, I didn't have much hope as to its cutting ability. Included instructions WARNED of the blades' sharpness, took a few good finger cuts to realize the warning was NO JOKE: I even managed to trim fingernails, once or twice, when I got a bit too careless!
That was 20 years ago, I have GREAT RESPECT for my ulu to this day. I use it CONSTANTLY for dicing, slicing and whatever, have found it to be invaluable in the kitchen! It's been said these can even be used for filleting salmon and other fish. However, since someone gave us an electric filleting knife, I got lazy and never tried the ulu on those projects, but have used it to cut fish strips for smoking..sliced right thru the fish fillets like they were butter! Or my fingertip!
I've had many friends book tours to Alaska and I highly recommended they buy an ulu while there as they'd never regret the purchase.. ONCE they got USED to using it without fatality that is! Ulu's ARE classified as "dangerous weapons" because of blade sharpness, MUST be packed inside checked-in baggage at airports or security will be at your elbow and threatening confiscation..can be a very EMBARRASING situation!! I KNOW! They can be purchased on the internet now, but only thru Alaskan dealers as the ulu is "native" to that State, won't find the TRUE one anywhere else!
Now you also know what an ulu is. For pictures of various types, and a great history of them, type in "History of the Alaska ulu" and go to the Wikipedia site. You really have to LIVE with one to fully enjoy and appreciate it's values tho'..and keep the bandaids handy!

FALL'S IN THE AIR!

weeds n seeds — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:42:58 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 7:42 pm (GMT 0)

The trees aren't losing their leaves yet, but all the signs are there: the feel and smell of the air; sounds of the birds gathering for migration; seeing pickup loads of fresh cut firewood being hauled off the Mountain; and seeing the differances in the animal's coats as they get themselves prepared for what's fastly coming..WINTER!
So far, we've had beautiful weather for September in this part of Wyoming, very DRY but beautiful none-the-less. Days are still quite warm, nights have put frost on the pumpkin in some local areas, but..to date..have been "spared" at this location, a REAL ODDITY! Time is limited so have been busy with fall cleanup and trying to get as much done/prepared for the next growing season. As containers have been denuded of what grew in them, they've been hauled into workshop, emptied, soil "reworked" then marked and bagged. All needed to do next spring is water the soil down, add compost, fertilizer and transplants. As workshop is HUGE, I have plenty of room to make a GOOD mess and store everything.
Last two days, it's been taking cuttings from various plants and prepping them for starting. If anyone looked in the fridge, they'd be in total SHOCK: have one whole shelf covered with cuttings of scented geraniums and ivy geraniums that need "callusing" before having their little feet placed in soil to begin rooting and a warm place to do it. The scenteds will be grown in large styrofoam cups (that let forming root systems "breathe"), the ivies are slated to go right into sphagnum moss-lined hanging baskets to begin their growth: all will be quite LARGE by May. Am not propagating any zonal geraniums this year..am, literally, overrun with them..just giving the ones in containers a drastic cutting back and fertilizer to ease the shock of what they've underwent (I really DO have a "heavy hand" with the clippers, nothing is safe when I start in!). A few have already gotten the treatment, are already showing new growth, should begin blooming along about March and continue on thru the summer despite of how they've been treated this month. They're like the Duracell Bunny: just keep going and going, are really amazing!
Was given a neat little Australian Shepard three weeks ago to replace my Saint Bernard I lost in August. Is very well mannered; extremely QUIET; LOVES to ride in the truck; is a real joy to have! Didn't take him long to begin "ruling the roost" but isn't overbearing about it, just lets me know..for sure!..what's what around here! He's on a DIET due to fact he's one bubbly chubby guy: couldn't believe it when the Vet looked, from the back, at him sitting down and LAUGHED saying: "Buddy's PERFECTLY PEAR-SHAPED! Small head, HUGE BUTT!" So, diet it is for him: weight-watchers canned and dry chow; diet cookies and bones; absolutely NO table scraps. It's working as can be witnessed by his expanding energy level..NOW, if only I could do the same!!
Back to work! Went fishing a week ago: lake had just "rolled over", caught nothing but did manage to be privvy to the Canadian Geese "discussing" about leaving for Southern pastures. The breezes are still warm; the trees are "talking"; the antelope have cleaned up the remainder of the fallen apples: YEP! Fall's here!

GOOD WEATHER..BAD WEATHER

weeds n seeds — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:29:21 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 7:29 pm (GMT 0)

Has been a very "squirrely" year for growing with as much as a 40 degree temp differance between day and night, day after day. The cool weather crops, and a lot of the flowers, have just LOVED it but the poor tomatoes have suffered drastically as a result! The big, lush plum tomato plants are about to be pulled up as they're suffering extreme blossom end rot despite soil treatments AND spraying for the problem..so much for the salsa this season! However, have other tomato varieties that are doing quite well, picked 5 this morning that are as big as baseballs, totally blemish free with several others "coming" on each plant: all is not a total loss in that category anyway, and there's always Green Tomato Pie or green tomato relish to be made if they don't get a chance to ripen on the vine.
Curcubits have produced nicely; Swiss Chard is more than I could hope for (as was the Red Russian kale); Nadia eggplants (a purple Italian variety with no bitterness and very few seeds)are setting fruit FAST! The zinnias, double petunias/single blossomed ones, pansies, hanging ivy geranmiums and zonals have far outdone themselves as have the herbs with the cooler nights we've had, have been little hummingbird magnets, especially in the evenings. Did have lovely roses and tiger lilies til the ANTELOPE discovered the "delicacies", DENUDED the plants along with a few other bushes in the front yard as the browsed their way thru to greener pastures. Enjoy seeing them, tho': (the does..or females) have the longest BLACK eyelashes imagineable; the males sport very ebony black horns (that they never shed like other members of the deer family) and this years' kids are just adorable! Have had as many as five in front yard at once, others are here on a daily basis looking for fallen apples off trees on property, so is a busy place at times (is sad, but the antelope are being pushed off their native feeding grounds by the never-ending building in this area, are seeking new areas to graze and it just happens to be in the residential ones).
Lost my "Big Buddy", my constant companion Saint Bernard, last week. Was expected because of his age, was..at least..a peaceful passing and he's now interred in a nice "doggie cemetary" out in the quiet countryside. House is too quiet without him; is hard to water plants every day and not have him there by my side; think something of me left with him as he was such a sweetheart! Am still not "right" over the loss, will be very hard to find a replacement when the time comes.

FINALLY it's GROWING WEATHER

weeds n seeds — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 13:43:59 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:43 pm (GMT 0)

Mother Nature couldn't make up Her mind what she wanted to do weather-wise, but OUT a number of plants went the first week in June. Rather felt like I was "throwing them to the wolves" for a while there as temps were up and down, were like riding a pogo stick, never knew from one day to the next what to expect! Needless to say, there were several plant varieties that just sat there looking back at me, almost asking "WHY have you done this to me?".
The weather broke just a few weeks ago, everything has been "triggered" into a fast pace of growth to say the least! A Marianna's Peace tomato, put out in latter May and wrapped with plastic, has now gone over the top of the cage which is 3 feet high, is setting fruit and has too many blossoms to count. The others (Oregon Spring; Grandma Mary's Paste; Original Goliath; Ugly; Bush Early Girl; and hybrid Patios) are coming into their own right, appear to be growing INCHES per day, and are beginning to bloom. Two zuchinni plants, in a large container, are doing what only zuchinnis can do: are producing squashes like there's no tomorrow! Other squashes, and cukes, are trying to play "catch up", even an heirloom winter squash variety I'm leaving in the greenhouse to assure it won't be killed by frost before fruits can ripen (am hand-pollinating these to be SURE they'll produce). What looked like was going to be a sure bust gardening season has, amzingly, turned around and become VERY promising indeed, not only for the veggies, but flowers and herbs as well (have a Russian tarragon plant, started from seed 3 years ago, that's topping out at SIX FEET TALL!).
My absolute pride and joy, however, are double petunias started from seed this spring and put into hanging baskets. I counted OVER 20 opened, very double white/purple and white/red frilly blooms on one basket yesterday. Had only gotten packages of 30 seeds for each color, germination was 50%, and when transplanted into the baskets, seedlings were extremely SMALL, looked almost lost in the 12 inch containers. When transplanting the seedlings, I lined the inside of plastic baskets HEAVY with dampened sphagnum moss for better water retention, plants are now overflowing them in all directions and offer a beautiful "spicy" aroma if you're anywhere within the vicinity of where they're at.
Yes..it's finally "growing weather". Didn't believe it'd EVER arrive, but it's HERE in all it's glory!

Why I have gray hair

weeds n seeds — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 12:48:48 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:48 pm (GMT 0)

At this time yesterday morning I was diligently weeding out a front rose bed again. It was almost 80 degrees with a 20 mile an hour warm breeze blowing, sun was hot, skies were crystal blue. Rains came in during the night, along with MORE wind, woke up to a temperature of 50 this morning..AND it's not supposed to get any warmer today!
This IS June..I think!..have been setting out veggie starts, put in 14 various pepper plants just two days ago that were the "Last of the Mohegans" to be transplanted into containers. Really was necessary to do so as the plants were beginning to set fruit in the greenhouse, couldn't wait any longer!
Eggplants were put out several days before, had to put up a windbreak in back of them for protection, and put partial protective "breaks" around most of the tomatoes (I use plastic sheets held on to cages with old-fashioned wooden clothespins for easy removal later on), am keeping my fingers crossed it's been ENOUGH way things are going weather-wise!
So far, things LOOK like they've adapted to this pogo ride of temperature differances and still Artic-like winds very other day..or so..but I want to CRY when I look at the warm weather plants as I just know they're cold and struggling!
The cool weather plants, and herbs, are just LOVING these extremes however, and the flowers don't seem to be minding what they're subjected to either: are blooming away! Some look a bit tattered from the winds, but the pansies, petunias and verbenas are continually putting forth new color all the time, are really strong little devils that absolutely amaze me to no end with their sturdiness!
At one time, I had nice brown hair, but this Wyoming gardening, and weather, has taken care of THAT: it's now all very silvery-gray! The term "you can't fight Mother Nature" must have originated in this State, but being a thick-headed gardener, gotta keep on a'tryin' every year..regardless. So yesterday was 80, today it's 50: give it a few days and it'll be 90 with blast furnace heat and NO breeze what-so-ever. Just HOPE my plants can hold on til then... .

Webbed feet and feathers..

weeds n seeds — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:42:21 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:42 pm (GMT 0)

For the last several years this area has suffered extreme drought conditions, for the last several days its been weather for the DUCKS: rain, rain and MORE rain with cool temps (in the 40's) to boot! Rivers are swollen too capacity with snow runoff and with what's fallen the last week, ground is saturated to a depth of four inches then peters out below that where it turns into the local "concrete". Had hooked up the 100 foot hose over a week ago to begin watering outside plants, and its been patiently sitting ever since, wondering exactly WHAT its purpose in life is. The front "hayfields", mowed a short eight days ago, will need a John Deere with a rotary scythe to do it the next time around, and the weeds are big and rampart!
However, cool weather plants (cabbages, kales, Swiss chards, spinach and herbs) already out have simply flourished! The Red Russian kales, that were sitting and pouting for over a month, are just about three feet high and ready for its first picking, the window box of spinach is literally "overflowing its banks" with lush, dark green foilage also begging to be harvested and enjoyed. Cabbages are beginning to head, and the chards are looking better all the time. As for the herbs (chives, green onions, garlic, garden sage, etc.)..anyone want some? The few flowers I've chanced on putting out early don't seem any the worse for wear, just a bit water-logged is all.
Tomato containers are all prepped and awaiting their summer wards that'll go in them as soon as this weather breaks; squashes and cukes, planted in peat pots, are screaming to get their roots in soil, am wondering where to put them all for best growing conditions. Have heirloom "Lakota" winter squashes, whose vines will run 10 feet, will definately have to put their container somewhere my delicate little Saint Bernards' feet won't trample them into oblivion, rest of things I'm not too worried about as they'll be in raised beds or easily moved containers that can be put anywhere with plenty of sun. I just want to get everything OUT and going now that the light at the end of the tunnel can be seen!
Our Wyoming winter has been a rough one with never-ending high winds since last October, snows more than we've seen last several years, now we're into a veritable monsoon season..which we drastically NEED! Everything that grows has seemed to be late this year til the rains, now appear to be making up for lost time with rapid growth and blooming periods. The Oriental poppies are lush bushes; the comfreys are taller than they have been; other things, that have laid dormant, are popping up everywhere you look..is NICE! We'll get the "dry period", for sure, later on when the hose will be put to GOOD use daily, and our "wet spring" will just become a memory as the webbed feet go back to normal, and we molt the feathers!

Gaining Ground..I think!

weeds n seeds — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:53:37 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:53 pm (GMT 0)

Now that the snow's melted off and the never-ending winds have dried things up a bit, all I see is work, work and more work to be done outside. Was debating having the Siberian elms "cleaned out" again this season, but looks like there's no worry there: anything loose, dead or fragile is now on the ground, patiently awaiting pickup and a quick trip to the local landfill as a "mulch donation". Surveyed the leaf accumulation across front of property, appears to be another 18 bags worth..at least! Grass is growing faster than I'd like to see, looks like another bumper crop of weeds as well mixed in.
However, Oriental poppies, white valerian, lambs ear and comfrey in a front garden are up and looking good, lilacs are setting buds, and there's actually some "green" showing in herb bed as horehound, garden sage, hyssop, chives and a few other things show signs they made it thru the winter. French tarragon is off and running, noticed the spearmint and oregano aren't far behind, dish gardens of various sedums are "coloring" as well. Green bunch onions are almost a foot high, and there's an Earthbox of Red Russian kale starts, and one of early cabbages, OUT! Have them "caged" for time being, more to protect them from the wind than anything else, but they seem quite happy in their makeshift tents. Doesn't look too pretty, but you gotta do what you gotta do in this country!
Prepped all the Earthboxes (have 7 of them) and large containers left outside, are now ready for their 2008 plants after reworking the played out soil a bit, adding some builders to and much needed nitrogen sources. Soil is now nice and pliable, the two resident PEST red squirrels are having a field day re-digging them up for me on a daily basis, are probably looking for their peanuts (that are long gone!) they got somewhere and hid in them last fall..what can I say?
Plant starts are doing nicely, should have them out in greenhouse but winds' have been so bad, I can't get trays from sunroom to it without them taking off for parts unknown in the process! Do have gorgeous pansies out there tho', and have been picking GH leaf lettuce on a regular basis for a month, feel like a rabbit from eating it all.
Checked barrel composter yesterday after turning it's contents, was surprised to see some great black and sweet smelling compost in there, plants are gonna LOVE it! Another few weeks and it'll get emptied, will start another batch with old leaves and grass clippings plus ?, put it to good use! Will be adding comfrey as fast as it grows also.
Am gaining on things, slowly but surely, just can't WAIT to get everything outside now, get green things everywhere you look! Hanging baskets of ivy geranmiums on the old windmill, containers of other flowers here and there, tomatoes/peppers/eggplants/cukes and other edibles growing! I'm a very impatient gardener... .

Signs That Spring IS Trying To "Sprung"

weeds n seeds — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:45:28 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 3:45 pm (GMT 0)

Tulips have begun to pop up all over the yards, and it looks like a few daffies are beginning to show also after the long, hard winter we've endured. See some "green" on the Oriental poppies, Johnny Jump Ups, bunch onions and sedums, even had the first antelope of the year wander thru back yard last weekend, surely a sign of better things to come! Weather's still doing its pogo-ride however: is near 50 one day, back to the 30's and SNOW the next, but at least it's melting off fast, actually contains a fair amount of moisture that we drastically need after several years of drought. Notice the birds are back at feeders in force, are singing their beautiful Spring songs, think it's almost time to brush the loose hair out of my Saint Bernard and let it "fly" for the birds to gather for nesting purposes again.
Inside, the sunroom is beginning to overflow with held-over ivy geraniums that, despite a DRASTIC cutting back last fall, are back to full size and blooming away (as are the zonals), shelves in front of big south-facing windows are crowded with trays of vegetable and flower seedlings, all waiting patiently til the day they can safely be put outside for the summer. Many of the seedlings should be put in the greenhouse, but every time I'm ready, the winds pick up and it's impossible to make the transfer without them suffering a "quick trip to the mall", windburn or experiencing a chill between here and there, so the jungle continues to grow in the small, crowded space. Mother Nature has really triggered the plants the last few weeks, another sign of impending Spring? Hopefully?
Time to plant tomatoes, and TIME I begin taking some photos with new digital camera so I can begin sharing growing experiences with everyone. Had been putting off purchasing one, but after seeing such great pictures on this site the "seed was planted", decided the time had come to finally "spring" into the 21st. Century and join the fun! Nice thing about a digital is I can always delete my OOPS! shots and try, try, try again!

I'm ready..where's SPRING?

weeds n seeds — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 12:40:39 -0400

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:40 pm (GMT 0)

The snow has finally melted off yards, and I'm chompin' at the bit to start outside work! Was contemplating having the property boundry Siberian Elm trees "cleaned out" again this year, but after the winters' drastic winds we've had and looking at what's on the ground, I don't think it'll be necessary: everything that could come down did, will take a month to clean it all up!
Was all primed to begin on prepping outside Earthboxs, containers and raised beds few days ago, sadly discovered majority are still just a wee bit too froze, would need a jackhammer to dig in them. One raised bed, that gets a lot of sunlight, was manageable, so tackled that, perked it up with pelleted lime, wood ash and dried steer manure. Covered it with black plastic to warm the soil enough to plant beets and yellow onions ASAP, hopefully within the next few weeks. Rest? I'll just have to be patient I guess, grit my teeth and WAIT!
Now, inside is another story. Pots of pansies are blooming as are zonal and ivy geraniums that have been wintered over. Have trays of seedling peppers, flowers, and herbs growing in sunroom as well; an Earthbox of Red Russian kale going in greenhouse with 3 inch pots of blooming pansies and cabbage starts to keep it company for time being. In the house itself, a "Sherry Baby" orchid is putting up a flower spike, two kalachoes are blooming, and a "goldfish plant" is ready to burst foreward with brilliant color. An orchid cactus (that gets 7 1/2 inch bright red blooms)should put on its usual display in May, and a vanilla bean orchid is now at 3 feet tall. The African violets are like the Duracell Bunny: have been in almost constant bloom since early last fall, just keep going and going!
It's these plants that bring the greatest joy at this time of year when we're still getting periodic snow storms, their color just lifts the spirits to NO END, brings on mental pictures of greenery and color to come IF Spring/summer ever gets here!
I did notice yesterday, however, tulips are breaking ground, green scallions are beginning to color, some dish gardens of sedums are showing new growth, the lilacs are beginning to bud, and two variegated ivies (wintered over inside)have nearly doubled in size in just last few weeks, will be really lovely hanging off an old, full-sized whiskey barrel this summer.
I'm ready, now where is Spring?

Old soil reuse

weeds n seeds — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:30:37 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2008 5:30 pm (GMT 0)

I have containers, pots, window boxs and raised beds full of soil that drastically need HELP! For last several years, have been hauling out two wheelbarrows, lining them with loose plastic sheets, emptying soil into one then using an ancient plastic hand sieve to sift soil into the other before putting in additives and refilling everything. This year I purchased a hand-operated rotary sieve in HOPES it'd make the backbreaking job just a wee bit easier..and BOY! has it!
In anticipation of the unit's arrival, I hauled in hanging baskets, containers I could MOVE easily and other pots full of soil into the sunroom, had 'em stacked everywhere! The rotary sieve arrived, got it put together, then realized I had NO WAY to get a wheelbarrow in there (and it was way too cold to work in garage or workshop), so now what? I wanted to start using the thing!
Sieve came in a box that was packaged within another box, discovered it was just right to set the 16 inch diameter new fangled object in, lined the box with a big plastic garbage bag to catch sifted soil and went to work.
It's truly amazing the amount of soil things hold til you empty them OUT, and would be a shame to not reuse it all! Took only minutes to get soils sieved: just half-filled the drum on rotary unit, sat on a bucket and turned the handle, watched the bag under it fill with SPEED, went "WHOA! This is too good to be TRUE!" as pot after pot, container after container of old, worn out soil disappeared into the depths of the garbage bag. When there wasn't room for any more, I put "processed" soil into empty heavy-duty wood pellet bags to sit til phase #2 came into operation, tied them off and stacked them..didn't take long to get a good supply on hand.
Phase #2 was "cutting in" new soil (Pro Mix BX) with the old to give it a boost at a 50-50 mixing rate. Made a scoop from an empty plastic bottle with a handle on it, worked beautifully for measuring soils.
Did three scoops of Pro Mix to three scoops of old, ran it thru the rotary sieve for blending, then rebagged and marked it as "done, ready for additives". Piece of cake!
Yesterday, I put together baskets of pansies and transplanted some Crego asters into bigger pots. Just opened a bag of the blend, scooped some soil into a bucket, added what I felt was needed ( a bit of bone meal, pelleted fertilizer, epsom salts and dried blood), dampened the soil with a liquid root booster, and tranplanted away to my hearts content! Sieved/blended soil was totally old root/stones and stick free, didn't clump, still retained enough perlite for lightning the soil, was just lovely to work with! As compost is still frozen solid, that'll be used to top off things later.. after a good sieving, of course!
As soon as weather permits (hopefully by late March) I'll tackle the raised beds and too-heavy-to-move containers outside, use the two wheelbarrow method so they won't feel left out, set the sieve in the largest and have at it, big time! Just LOVE that unit!!
(For general information: rotary sieve was purchased from Charley's Greenhouse and Supply of Mount Vernon, Washington. Cost was $64.95 on sale, has already about paid for itself.)

Planting by the moon's phases

weeds n seeds — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 12:46:46 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 5:46 pm (GMT 0)

A full moon conjures up pictures of wolves howling, a witch riding his/her broomstick around the neighborhood, or pople just acting "loony" for some odd reason.
Folks who take stock in the moon phases think it's due to attractional forces created at that period in time. It appears to affect nature, and humans, in the strangest of ways.
Believers feel that plants also respond to these attractional pulls, the same ones that affect tides in the vast oceans of the world. They believe that this action stimulates root and leaf growth, seeds sprout faster, plants grow sturdier, harvests are heavier, and "bolting" is retarded. The method of planting by the lunar phases, and lineup of various planets at certain times, is an ages old practice that dates back hundreds of years, and believers swear it works! But, how do you even begin to grow this way? Where do you start?
When using the moon as a growing guide, two related lunar phases will surface: waxing and waning. Waxing occurs in the first two quarters between the new and the upcoming next full moon when light is increasing, is an excellant time for planting above ground crops. Believers feel that during this phase, more moisture is pulled to the surface to aid in the germination of seeds. Waning occurs in the third and fourth quarters AFTER a full moon when light is decreasing and energy is "drawing down" and is an excellant time to plant below ground crops. However, they also think that they should not plant directly on either the day of the new moon or a full one due to the changing forces of nature that the moon dictates.
The second factor in gardening by the moon are the astrological signs the moon is traveling through, which change every few days or so. The moon phase believers think that the most fertile times for planting/transplanting are during the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces. Second best are Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn. The other signs are best suited to weeding, cultivation, and garden maintenance in general. There are a few exceptions to the rule, one being melons that seem to enjoy being planted under the Gemini sign which is thought to be arid and barren.
Calenders that we all have hanging in our kitchens have the moon phases on them. The Old Farmers Alamanac annually prints an astrological planting guide using the moon and planets to one's advantage. If you are truly interested in gardening by the moon, it is highly recommended you purchase a calender specifically formulated for your growing season whether it be a short, or long, one. It will explain everything in detail right down to the best for starting seeds, transplanting, or planting directly out in the garden.
Visit www.gardeningbythemoon.com , an excellant source of more information about planting in accordance with the moon phases/astrological signs. It's a fascinating field of interest, and gardeners SWEAR they get great results. It has certainly helped me to know when I should be baying at the moon, riding around on my motorized broomstick, planting seeds, or just mowing the grass. As for the loony part, what CAN I say?

Gettin' them seeds goin'

weeds n seeds — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:00:43 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:00 pm (GMT 0)

Time has FINALLY come to begin getting just a wee bit serious about planting seeds for this summers vegetables and flowers. January 21 saw gerberas (African Daisies that take 6 months to reach blooming size), lemon catnip (gotta keep the neighborhood cats happy!), asters, bushy Evening Primrose (to "treat" the hummingbird moths) and edible dandy-lions sowed, today it was Red Russian kale, Golden Ace cabbage, fringed decorative kale, Bon Vivant leaf lettuce and smooth-leaf spinach. The crops planted Jan. 21 are coming up, now the wait starts for today's.
The aster seed was taken from "volunteer" plants this past season, the wild Evening primrose seed came from a lovely plant I discovered growing out behind the workshop and was too nice to pass up, just had to collect some seed off spent spikes and save it! Am not a big seed-saver, so was very leary of what..actually..to expect, if anything. The asters were up within 3 days; the minute seedlings of the primrose are just beginning to show today and those brought great JOY to behold! As the primrose is classified as a biennial, I'll be really surprised if it blooms this year, but know it will in 2009 so is something to look forward to there. As for the double-flowering asters, time will tell if they're the annual variety or perennial, left the Mother plants alone, after a cutting back, to see if they'll return later in the season and, if not, I do have the new ones.
The Jan.21 planting of seeds were done in a seed-row planter, will all need transplanting into larger cells/pots/soil within next few weeks. Everything else has been planted in deep cell 6 paks, are in waterproof 1020 trays, covered with plastic domes and are on heat mats for bottom warmth to aid germination.
From the beginning, I leave the plastic domes propped up a bit up to allow for some air circulation, and once all seedlings appear, the domes come totally off, trays of plants that don't need bottom heat any longer are moved to a cooler section of the plant room to grow on. Using the deeper cells for germination would require huge amounts of seed staring medium to fill them, but came across a method in an English gardening book that I just LOVE, and results are GREAT! The bottom 2/3 of the cells are filled with regular dampened potting soil, and only the top 1/3 is filled with the dampened starting medium recommended for starting seeds. What this does is allow the seeds to be planted in a sterile medium and by the time a good root system forms, they are down into soil that affords what they need for good growth..and away they go!
Once seedlings get their second set of "true leaves", they get a light application of a 3 month timed-released pelleted fertilizer simply applied to top of soil (making sure it isn't touching the stems as it will burn them) that I press slightly in, and this..in the watering process..is slowly released til it's time for the plants to be set outside in their respective containers or beds. Works beautifully with any type container used to start seeds, and DOES help eliminate the "did I, or didn't I fertilize" syndrome by taking all the guesswork out of it as you can see the pellets on the soil's surface and know it's been done. I have been doing this for 3 seasons now with unbelievable success.
Have only scratched the surface, so far, starting seeds for 2008, will be an almost constant thing now from mid-February thru early May as I plant by lunar and astrological signs, and gotta get them seeds goin' when the time is right! Happy growing all!!!

Dirt Under The Fingernails

weeds n seeds — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 12:31:48 -0500

Author: weeds n seeds
Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:31 pm (GMT 0)

Spent 2 1/2 hours yesterday transplanting 60 little "Happy Faces" (pansies) into 3 inch pots and 6 pak cells. Have been waiting..very patiently..for the youngsters roots to start showing at the base of the seed row starter tray telling me "get us into something BIGGER!", and it finally happened: felt SOO GOOD getting my hands dirty while playing in the soil once again!
Started an early variety called "Carolina Giants", and some OLD mixed pansy seeds of several types, in November, planted the old seeds a bit on the heavy side as I didn't know what to expect from them. Much to my surprise, had excellant germination with ALL, even had to cull a few because they were too thickly planted! Broke me heart to do it, but was necessary, watered in the potted seedlings with the tears that fell..what can I say?
I've had a terrible time with getting good pansy seed germination last few years no matter what I tried, so for this season bought/used Pro Mix seed starting medium..the results more than speak for themselves so far! Seedlings are strong and healthy, root systems absolutely beautiful!
They've been transplanted into Pro Mix potting soil now, should have blooming plants by Memorial Day if all goes according to Hoyle, can't WAIT for their lovely scents and joyous colors to greet me when I walk into the greenhouse later in the season! There's just something about them that "makes the day" when nothing else is doing much yet. Way it looks, there'll be hanging baskets and containers full of pansies everywhere, but that's okay in my book as they're such "happy plants".
At present, the trays are still in my sunroom in front of big, south-facing windows, are on bottom heat just in CASE temp out there wants to nosedive during a nasty cold spell (so far, knock on wood!, temp has been getting no lower than 50 degrees nights even tho' outside temps have been as low as 0!). Will let the babies adapt a bit to new potting up, then remove them to another shelf without heat til they can be evacuated into unheated greenhouse, probably in late February.
Next to start are gerberas, blue mealy sage (which looks like Russian Sage), and evening primroses (seeds I saved from a wild plant) end of this month, then in February will be about 30 other things, including peppers and cool weather plants. By May, poor sunroom AND greenhouse will be overflowing with "green" things of all descriptions imagineable! Needless to say, I just LOVE starting everything from seed and watching it grow, especially when the snow's still flyin' outside!