Seedling Saga

Once upon a time there was a little seed. A quiescent kernel of DNA, cotyledon, protein, and prospective plant perfectly packed into a tiny bundle bursting with potential. Waiting.

Until one day it became warm, and the sun started shining for longer than usual. Water trickled into the seed's dark place of dormancy and something happened.

The seed started going through an amazing transformation. The water penetrated it's seed coat, causing the seed to swell and crack. Inside, the seed embryo was being nourished by sugars produced by hydrolyses of stored starch, maltose and maltase.

The embryo started respiring, dividing, and, according to the carefully laid out plans of the DNA, a radicle grew into a root, and a plumule grew into a shoot.

Once all the sugars and nutrients were used up inside the seed, it started drinking in water, nutrients, and sunlight, and transforming these ingredients into energy for survival.

And then something else happened...

A goat ate it.

How are the seedlings doing?

Glad you asked:

They are taking off and we've planted many to save money on starts this year. This is what works for me:

• A plant/aquarium light to supplement light these plants get through a south-facing window
• A heating pad turned to low placed under the water-tight tray
• A clear top on just-planted seeds to conserve water until sprouts appear. If it isn't removed soon enough, the soil/plants will mold underneath.
• A conspicuous lack of goats around the house
  

Gardeing #2: Seedlings, Cover Crops, and Compost

Getting excited for spring as the days get longer and my attention span at work gets shorter (these are most certainly inversely related). My garlic came up already and was looking good as I was relocating my compost pile last night (at left).

I've been thinking about how to diminish weed growth in the garden without using weed barrier. Organic Gardening Magazine advocates the use of cover crops for many reasons, but they can also be used between flowers and vegetables if done right. Here are the benefits.

This article advises to plant cover crops after your veggies and flowers are at least 1/3 of the way through their growth cycle so that your green lovelies aren't out-competed by quick growing buckwheat or clover. The article also states the cover crop needs to eventually be mowed and then killed. Hmmm, I bet some goats could help with that (someday...).

Check out the progress of my seedlings:

Lettuce (weeks 1, 2, and 3)

Herbs (weeks 2, and 3)

Tomatoes (weeks 1 and 2)

Gardening #1: Plotting and Planning the Plot

There is a little bit of spring in the air tempting and teasing us here in SW Colorado. And as the year slowly progresses I am hampered by two undeniable facts:

• It is March.
  
• I cannot plant until June 4th (frost date here in Durango).

What to do? Plan and dream. And pick up over-wintered dog poop. Gross.

Though I don't have a greenhouse (another accessory that I hope to acquire someday) I've already started some lettuce, herbs, tomatoes and peppers in a south-facing window, supplemented with a grow light to get them started out right. The lettuce and herbs are poking their heads out, which is exciting!

The plot plan is coming together in my head, but I searched around for an on-line garden designing tool so I could get it all down. All I came up with for online planning were tools for landscaping, but they might be useful still.

Here are 10 garden plans from Better Homes and Gardens. These are complete with layout and plant keys. They are nice because they integrate both veggies and flowers.

Here are my basic necessities:

• Tomatoes: Brandywine are my absolute favorite because they are big and juicy. Scott says he also wants cherry tomatoes, and I'm also going to try an heirloom Purple Cherokee variety and some Early Girls this year.
• Peppers: I tried all kinds of peppers last year and Poblanos and Jalapenos were the only ones that really took off and fruited. I think it must have something to do with the climate here and short growing season (I always have a hard time getting my habaneros to fruit, let alone ripen).

Beans: I love making a bean tent (at left) with a couple of varieties of beans. I always get too many, but the neighbors love them so I share
Basil: Always have to have this for fresh basil all summer. When it comes time to harvest, I chop it up and put it in soft butter with garlic and freeze it for herbed butter all winter long.
Beets: You can eat both the leaves and the root! Yum.

• Kale and Chard: I always crave leafy greens all summer. Butter and salt is all you need.
• Summer Squash: Paddy pan, or scallop, and zucchini went crazy in my garden last year (see picture below)
  
• Winter Squash: Butternut is my favorite ever, and then I'll have to do some acorn and pumpkins too.
  

Scott says he wants to concentrate on the sweet corn (we'll get some Olatha Sweet Corn seeds), peas, carrots, and cucumbers. Good thing we have a big plot.