Posted by Tim Vidra / Sunday, March 13, 2011
Starting a garden from organic seed
Yesterday was spent turning the garden. Today was spent planting the seed. Although more work, there is something about creating life in a plant. Last year, 80% of the garden was from seed and this year we decided not to change course. The organic arugula we had for dinner last night did not hold a candle to the fresh organic arugula from our garden last year and we cannot wait!
Now, back to planting the seed. First of all - why not use those egg cartons you might throw in the trash? Your family can get involved here by saving egg cartons for you. Another good use for egg cartons is recycling them back through your local farmers market. There are always farmers looking for these at the market.We filled each carton with organic soil and planted several seeds in each impression. Do not worry and know from experience those dang seeds are small. Put several in and when they sprout you can go through the thinning process by planting the healthiest seeds that took root. You can see from the diagram above (BTW everyone needs a moleskin) we have arugula, peas, swiss chard, broccoli, carrots, beets, and butternut squash for the early crop. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini will come later.
So for now these seedlings will be brought in at night and taken out in the morning on beautiful days. It is best not to have these out for long periods of hard rain for obvious reasons. We should see sprouts in 10-14 days and progress will be updated here. Hopefully mid to late April we should be past any frost worry and be able to tranfer these into the garden bed.
Continued weeding and the first till of the garden will take place over the next couple of weekends. Heres to warm sunny days as spring is coming fast!
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I just bought some arugula and basil seeds that I would love to plant sometime in the next few weeks. Our only problem is that we're surrounded by wildlife that will strip any plants and flowers bare.
ReplyDeleteAny ideas on an easy/inexpensive way to protect them?
Fantastic! I applaud you in your endeavor and wish I could be planting too! Have you considered mulberries>
ReplyDelete@Monica well without going into to much detail you can find red fox urine at a hunting supply store (sick I know). Dilute with a little water and spray the perimeter. You need to re-apply often and after a rain. Also, I learned human hair is a deterent. So if you are cutting the families hair spread that around for the scent.
ReplyDelete@tasteofbeirut I have never considered mulberries but might have to look that up! Thanks
Cool! Two ideas I've never heard of that I will certainly try out. Thanks!
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