Garden update and More Seed Varieties for 2012!!

I'm so excited I just can't wait another week!  I'll post an official announcement once the seeds are available at Mary's Heirloom Seeds.  For now, I'll just spill the beans (or Dwarf Pak Choi and Country Gentleman Corn) for those of you in blogger-land.  Hint: Corn is now available!

Tomatoes and Peppers have been my favorite veggies to grow so far.  Radishes and Swiss Chard have been the easiest veggies I've grown so far...Until now!!

Cherokee Purple Tomatoes

Before

After

A few weeks ago I planted Long Island improved Brussels Sprouts...What a name right?  From seed to transplant they are wonderful.  I have planted a few extra LIiBS over the last few weeks so that I don't have 20 pounds of LIiBSs all at once.

 I am very pleased at the rate of growth from these LIiBS.  They need very little care other than light airy soil and regular watering.  The soil should be moist but not drenched.  They seem to transplant well.

I'll talk about new seed varieties tomorrow!

Growing Radish from Seed

The German Giant is my favorite Radish.  It's not fancy or hard to grow and tastes great at any size.  The Radish may be a cool-weather crop but I continue to have success even in South Florida.

Grow radishes in full sun or partial shade. Plant radishes in loose, well-drained soil. Remove soil lumps, rocks, and roots from radish planting beds. Obstructions can cause roots to grow malformed. Add organic matter to planting beds before sowing radishes. Radishes prefer a soil pH of 5.5 to 6.8.

Sow radish seed ½ inch deep and 1 inch apart; thin successful seedlings from 1 to 4 inches apart in wide rows depending upon the variety.

Sow radishes in the garden 2 to 3 weeks before average date of  the last frost in spring. Sow succession crops every 2 weeks in spring and in autumn. Two or more crops can be grown in spring. Radishes require 22 to 70 days to come to harvest. Warm weather can result in small roots. Long days may also cause radishes to flower; plant radishes during the shorter days of spring and autumn. In mild winter regions, grow radishes in late autumn and early winter. Radishes can withstand frost.

Keep radish planting beds moist but not wet. Even, regular watering will result in quick growth. Radishes that receive too little water will become woody tasting. Prepare planting beds with aged compost. Side dress radishes with aged compost at midseason.

Radishes can be grown in containers. Sow radishes in containers at least 6 inches deep. Plant radishes in round containers in concentric circles. Move containers to cool locations if the weather grows warm.

Companion plants: Cucumbers, Lettuce, Nasturtiums, Peas, and Peppers.

Happy Planting!!!

Growing Onions from Seeds

Currently, the patio seedling garden is home to Red Burgundy Onions and Bulgarian Giant Leeks (among many other things).  I've only harvested 1 Red Burgundy onion so far and that was from my first batch.  This time around I planted more seeds and started them out right! 

Plant onion seeds about 3/8 inch deep and 1/2 inches apart. Rows should be about 15 inches apart. Once seedlings emerge, then to about every 3inches.

Some say it is best to choose a type of onion best suited for your area:  Northern US: Long Day. Southern US: Short Day.

However, others say they grow many types of Onions just fine.  Bunching onions grow well in all regions.

Depending on what type of onion you’re growing, will depend on the sunlight they require. Provide onions with 12 – 16 hours, depending on long day or short day onion.

The best soil for onions has organic material and neutral pH. (If your onions are too strong, the soil may be too acidic.) Onions like well drained soils, and the organic matter in the soil helps. 

Onions like more water initially as they grow. As they mature, onions do not require as much water. Depending on how much rain you get, they may be okay with just rainwater. Just make sure they get some kind of water every 5-7 days.

Mulch will help maintain the right soil moisture level and reduce weeds. Remember, onions don’t like weeds. Weeds and onion, both, compete over the same soil nutrients. When weeding, be careful not to disturb the onion’s root system.

Maturity rates vary with each type of onion from 65 days to 115 days.  Onions should be harvested in the morning, but avoid any morning dew on them. Lay them in row to cure or air dry for a few days. But place them in the shade. The onions can actually sunburn.

Companion Plants:

Growing Carrots around onions will be helpful.

Some plants actually are bad to the health of onion plants. Avoid these plants around onions: beans, peas, and parsley. 

Happy Planting!!!

Book Review: Grow Great Grub

I have a few books on the table right now and most are garden books.  I'll try to review as many as I can this month.  There are a few I have already read and really enjoyed.

Each book has a link to my Amazon Store.  If you purchase anything using the link I make a small percentage on almost everything (doesn't have to be an item I listed). Every bit helps and is always appreciated!

Grow Great Grub: Organic Food From Small Spaces 
by Gayla Trail



I have really enjoyed reading Gayla Trail books.  This is the second of her books I have read and I'm looking forward to her next book.

When I read about gardening, more importantly growing my own food, I like to see pictures.  Even if you have a large space to garden with this book is very informational and a fun read.  I have a small area for my garden so I have added containers here and there to make more space.  There are so many gardening books out their to choose from.  This book is perfect for the beginner gardener or apartment dweller, really for anyone who like to garden. 

One bonus I found in Grow Great Grub... RECIPES!!!  I found her ideas and exciting recipes refreshing.  What do you do once you have successfully harvested your hard-earned grub...Eat it!


Find more book recommendation at My Bookshelf.

 

Growing Broccoli

I'm not quite sure where I picked up most of this information about Broccoli.  As you will read, Broccoli is a cool weather veggie.  Living in South Florida, I haven't had a chance to grow broccoli.

Calabrese is easier and quicker to grow than other types of broccoli, with only 15 weeks to harvest from planting. Broccoli requires approximately 40 weeks.

For the best results, broccoli should be planted after a crop of peas or beans, as these vegetables leave deposits of nitrogen in the soil, which is much needed by the broccoli for healthy growth and development.
Broccoli is a cool weather crop that generally thrives in cooler temperatures that do not exceed 30°C (86°F). The ideal temperature for cultivating broccoli is between 65 - 75°F.

Broccoli should be planted in an open, sunny or partially shaded area.

Sow broccoli seeds thinly, approximately 1 inch deep in rows that are 2 feet apart. Cover the seeds loosely with soil and water well. The seeds will germinate within about 10 days and then the seedlings can be thinned out to 1 foot apart (for Calabrese).

Calabrese is an extremely fast-growing crop and some varieties will be ready to harvest from anything between 40 - 65 days. If sown in April or May, the broccoli should be ready to harvest from July onwards until November.

Harvest the broccoli when the side florets start to loosen slightly but the main head is still very compact. Cut the Calabrese at the base of the stalk, so that the main head is removed.

Last chance Sale items for January ... NEW stuff!!

Mary's Heirloom Seeds announces NEW items:

Education Pack  $44.00
Great variety pack for Homeschoolers, Educators and School Gardens.
This pack contains 16 varieties of seeds.  Each seed pack contains 25 seeds with detailed growing instructions and educational information.
Includes herb, veggie and tomato seeds!!
Veggie Varieties include:  Black Beauty Zucchini, German Giant Radish, Small Sugar Pumpkin, Calabrese Broccoli, National Pickling Cucumber, Little Gem Lettuce, He Shi Ko Bunching Onion, 5 Color Silverbeet Swiss Chard, Pak Choi Cabbage.
Tomato Varieties include:  Beefsteak Tomato and Red Fig Tomato.
Herb Varieties include: Fine Verde Basil,  Dill Vierling, German Chamomile, Oregano and Thyme.
Also includes plant markers and 2 packs of flower seeds.

Mini Education Pack  $22.00
Each seed pack contains 25 seeds with detailed growing instructions and educational information.  This pack contains 8 varieties of seeds.
Little Gem Lettuce, Pak Choi Cabbage, National Pickling Cucumber, Small Sugar Pumpkin, Red Fig Tomato, Fine Verde Basil, German Chamomile and Oregano.
Also includes plant markers and 2 packs of flower seeds.

NEW seeds:
Country Gentleman Sweet Corn and Long Island improved Brussels Sprouts

SALE items:
Peat Pots and Plant markers, NJ Wakefiled Cabbage, National Pickling Cucumber, Cal Wonder Bell Pepper, Ace 55 Tomato and ALL HERB seeds on sale!!!  $19 OFF Planting Guide A-Z for your Kitchen Garden.

HAPPY PLANTING!!

Growing Dill

Short and sweet post today: DILL!

Dill is a very easy herb to grow and can be grown indoors or outdoors. 

Dill enjoys full sun, and flourishes in average to fertile soil with good drainage.

Sun can damage dill if it has too much of it. However, you will want sun shining on it at least six hours a day. If you have some moisture in the air this is great. But if you struggle with moisture in the air you will want to mist your dill plant from time to time. 

To plant dill, place seeds over loose soil and cover about a half inch deep.  Keep soil moist but not water-logged.

Much of this information (and more) is available at Easy to grow Herbs.

Growing Basil

I am so pleased with my little Basil plants!

Sow seeds outdoors when soil is warm and temperature does not drop below 65°F. Basil can also be started indoors 4-6 weeks before planting out. Seeds usually germinate within 7 days of planting.

Seedlings need 6-8 hours of sunlight .  Basil can be grown indoors on a nice sunny ledge or windowsill or outdoors in a sunny spot.

Make successive sowings for continuous summer supplies. Pinch back flower stalks as they appear to keep plants from bolting.  Basil prefers rich well-drained soil.

I have found Easy to grow Herbs very helpful.