Seed Starting Schedule

Here's what I'm thinking for this year. Make sense?

Brassicas: February 1 (cabbage, broccoli)
Peppers: March 1 (they grow SO slow for me!)
Head lettuce: March 1
Tomatoes: March 15 (optimistic for May 1 planting)
Zinnias: March 15

Now that my garden is so down-sized, it hardly seems worthwhile to start seeds; for the same money, I could probably just buy enough plants at my favorite nurseries. But the ritual is important; plus I get to share them with my Mom and gardening friends.

Time to get started!

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time to start getting ready for the garden, but it is. I need to figure out my seed order and get it in, and then figure out where I’m going to set up some lights for the flats. Maybe I can make a space in the basement, or use the far end of the kitchen counter. I’m going to try to be moderate in my seed-starting ambitions; I’ll try to keep the number of starts to under 100. Based on the comment posted earlier, I’m going to try Jung Seed this year. Will let you know how it goes.

The other chore is going to be cleaning out the seed box. You know that feeling when you have to pull out a plant in the garden, whether for thinning or whatever? I hate to do it and have to force myself. That’s the way it is with my seeds. Some are years old and surely not viable. I know I have scores and scores of packets. It’s time to be tough and clean them out! A fresh start on a fresh season.

— Roger

A Fellow Gardener Writes

Every once in a while there's an article in the Home & Garden section of the New York Times by Anne Raver, who lives, gardens and writes not far away in central Maryland. Never met her, but I enjoy her column, I'm sure in part because it's local. I'm not much into birds (except for chickens), but her recent column is joyful in its celebration of our feathered friends...and offers some great rationale for neglecting some of that garden clean-up I can never catch up with. Read it here:

Anne Raver's column

Daffodils peaking through the earth

I couldn't believe my eyes when I gazed out the window of my house yesterday. My daffodils are poking their heads through the earth as if it were spring. My daffodils have always been an indicator that spring is on its way. But I know better since it's only January. With all the warm temperatures we have been experiencing in MD the spring bloomers are getting confused. The big question is what will happen to the bulbs when the temperature drops to what is normal for January. It is important that the temperature drops gradually so the plants and shrubs can go into their normal state of dormancy. If we have an extreme drop in temperature and the plants have not had time to go in to a state of dormancy the cells can become destroyed. Unfortunately it is too soon to know whether this erratic winter weather will cause serious damage to early rising plants. Although personally I am loving the warm temperatures, I know how important the cold temperature is to the well being of plants. So instead of the rain dance at my house, we're doing the "bring on the snow" dance for many reasons.

I Am The Breeze

I am the one whose praise
echoes on high.

I adorn all the earth.

I am the breeze
that nurtures all things
green.
I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits.
I am led by the spirit to feed
the purest streams.

I am the rain
coming from the dew
that causes the grasses to laugh
with the joy of life.

I call forth tears,
the aroma of holy work.

I am the yearning for good.

— Hildegard of Bingen, Germany, 1098-1179

Seed, Seed, Seed Catalogs!

They just keep coming! Never heard of this one before, Jung Seed from Wisconsin. No relation to Carl, I'm sure! Looks like they have a lot of interesting varieties and pretty good prices. I may try them. —Roger

Oh, Camellia!

I was walking through my favorite nursery recently and I stumbled upon a blooming Camellia. I had no idea there was a variety that bloomed in the winter. I first discovered Camellia in the South while on vacation. I was told it would only survive in the southern region so I didn't bother checking for it at my local nursery. Needless to say I was thrilled when I discovered I could add it to my garden.

Camellia's are an evergreen shrub that produce the most delicate, showy flowers. It's leathery foliage is nothing to dismiss, it's just as stunning as the flowers. There are many varieties, but my favorite is the Winter Rose. It has very soft pinkish flowers that look similar to a rose. It develops a double bloom that sheds its peddles once it's finished blooming. The Winter Rose variety blooms from September through December. It will grow to about 6ft. The wonderful news is the Camellia will survive through winters as far north as zone 6b. It's hard to believe a flower that appears so delicate will survive a harsh winter. For Christmas I received a gift certificate to that same nursery where I first discovered the winter blooming Camellia. I bet you can guess what I'll be buying with it. To learn more about all the different varieties of Camellia's visit the American Camellia Society. http://www.camellias-acs.com/