Once Upon a Time I Liked Winter

The first half of December saw reasonably mild weather, although dry. That changed with a swing of 4 weeks of unreasonable cold with no day above freezing or even near 25F and a low of -6F New Year's Eve. We had about 1 day of mild temps and mud and back to the cold business. And if I can complain a little more- all of this would have been better if we'd had snow, but we only got 1/2 inch tops a day ago. I went from planting shallots in the garden (and with garlic on my to-do list), lush green in the greenhouse to frozen earth and mass lettuce death. Ugh. Once upon a time I liked winter.

What to do?
Stratification seemed like the most obvious activity, so after the potting mix thawed I started planting natives in deep cells and bulk item containers. These will go in the frozen greenhouse.

I also decided to try planting other seeds in flats for the greenhouse. My hope with this is for them to germinate much as they would outdoors, when the conditions were ideal for the seed. Their soil is frozen now. If this works I'll get a slight jump on the season and have plants with little hardening off to face. A few annuals that seemed to be ideal for this method include: Larkspur, Cleome and Bachelor Buttons. This could be a game changer for me if it works.

For those seeds that need more heat, like peppers, eggplant and tomatoes I'll still begin inside. Speaking of game changing, I've had pepper seeds germinate in 5 days, which is record for me. I learned why I had poor success with the seed starting mats. They work by raising the ambient air temperature by about 10-15 degrees. Well, when your basement is 50F who cares! That's not warm enough for pepper seeds to germinate. So, I found using my human heat pad, set at level 5 brought the soil top of a roasting pan with lid to 76F. Now that's what I need! Here's proof, planted on 12/31/17:

I brought in 3 pots of carrots and 1 of beets (didn't survive) from the greenhouse. The carrots are small, but sweet.

I decided to collect data on the greenhouse vs outdoor temperature for comparison. That info is here:

I don't fully trust some of the daily readings, but I would generally agree that
the average difference in high temperatures between inside and out is between 20-30 degrees, depending on the amount of sunlight.

My paper journal of seed starting and garden plans/ideas.

What's Up: Lettuces, Frilly Mustard, first signs of broccoli and red chard seedlings, my entire flat of various brassicas. It took a one day warm up to spark their germination. The basement has been colder than normal. 

Last night was another ridiculously cold night (0F) with wind chills -17F and all the local schools called off due to cold. I'm really tired of this and my chilblains and painful hip skin are flaring up. It looks like we have to put up with this for at least one more day. Thursday is suppose to be near 39 and possibly 60 this weekend. This has been my least productive winter break that I can remember. Tomorrow is back to school. I think I'm ready, because I'm bored with this crap.

The Good Life

Got some work work done early and was able to hit the garden before the temps hit 90. Yeah, that's not a typo. We've had some upper 80 temps recently. Morning garden chores included weeding, hoeing and planting corn & beans. The tomatoes are almost done being planted. I have 4 cages left and some small plants to tuck in them. I will dedicate an entire garden row (1 of 5) to just tomatoes.

Row 4 planting completed

Potatoes, Eggplant, Beans & Corn

1st row: Royal Burgundy

2nd row: Yellow Wax

2 rows of Indian Berries Popcorn

I don't usually grow corn, but I do like popcorn

so I'm giving this a go. Row 4.

Peppers planted and protected

Row 5

A mix of peppers & chilies

with cardboard collars to protect them from

emerging weeds (smartweed). Planning on 

sweet potatoes after the peppers. 

My latest pole bean trellis (dumpster diving gem).

After the pole beans are 2 Elite Zucchini (plants purchased

as my seed didn't germinate) and

the cucumbers (starting in packs) will go

where the fencing is after the squash. Row 2.

Garden Critters

Carpenter Bee

Native Praying Mantis Eggcases

Tortoise bug on chickweed 

Spittle Bug

on Sea Oats

Eating/harvesting

The heat made me harvest the bulk of the lettuce.

It's just starting to get milky (bitter). 

"New" Bromeliad holders

Found the skull mushroom hunting this spring.

Center & Corner Collections

Funnel of Sedums

More sedums and random wild violets

In Bloom

Ohio Spiderwort

 Serviceberries are getting gobbled by

Robins and at least 3 Catbirds

 Blue Star

Clematis

Not in or from the Garden, but cool nonetheless

Kiddo saw this Giant Water Bug hurrying across the Home Depot parking lot the other day. Apparently, they are attracted to light, but where or where did this thing come from? There isn't water nearby, unless they can be found in ditches. We brought it home and released it. Not sure if it made it (they do play dead). They are also called Toe Biters, because they have been known to do that and after they pinch (their prey) then also inject them with digestive enzyme that makes them into soup and they suck the guts out. Lovely, eh?

Enjoy this Good Life.

Basement Salads

I'm experimenting with what I can grow in the basement (to eat) overwinter. Already some things haven't worked out and others have proven successful.

What hasn't worked: I bought some of that moisture retaining potting mix because it was dirt cheap on sale. Seeds rotted in it. Stuff that wouldn't germinate: beans, peas, cucumbers, squash. I have 1 bean, 1 pea and 1 squash seed (by another method). *Might be good for houseplants, but not for starting seeds.

What has worked: Greens continue to do well and we are eating regular salads. I'm hoping to get to the point where daily salads are an option. It looks like I can cut from the same pots about every 5-10 days. I'm leaf-pruning, rather than topping plants off. Growing: Red Russian Kale, Lettuces, Frilly Mustard. Other happy plants- cilantro, oregano, parsley, jalapeno, a volunteer tomato plant, eggplant, alpine strawberry (no fruit yet, but coming).

The New Experiment

This one is set up with 3 shop lights fairly high over plants.

This is working out fine for already established plants, but

seedlings aren't loving it. In this picture- jalapeno, calendula, violas,

brugmansia, oregano, parsley, green onions, chard, alpine strawberries,

1 squash, 1 pea, 1 bean, alyssum, turnips, eggplant, 1 fig, stocks,

pomegranate in foreground.

Greens doing well

frilly mustards- my fav

 Mixed Greens

I was swooned by the internet powers to order this LED light.

It may significantly reduce energy deman, but it is not proving to grow

better or faster plants. Plus, it's really hard to look at or be near it.

How to overwinter a Jalapeno to eat from

Yank Jalapeno from pot it was in.

Wow, that's a small root ball.

 Line bottom of pot with leaves. 

Adds fiber, minerals, beneficial microbes.

Stake it. Harvest all peppers to help

adjust from transplant shock. Energy to go to

new root making.

New peppers already forming. No new flowers yet.

Happy Oregano & Parsley

Alpine Strawberry & Green Onions

From front to back: 1 pea, 1 bean, 1 tomato

Back row: Stock, Eggplant

Middle: Stock, Violas

Front: Chard transplants, Dill, Alpine Strawberry

Other set up. Much closer to lights.

 Cilantro

Overwintering Non-Edibles

Fuschia

 Coleus cuttings have already rooted (from Oct 4)

 Various houseplants in the basement...

And Houseplants in the windows...

Spider plant, Meyer Lemon, Fragrant Olive, Fern

Outdoor Activities

Fall Blooming Speciosus Crocus- bloomed w/o leaves Row 2

Saffron Crocus is sending up leaves.

Had 2 blooms. Rows 1 & 3

 Planted to the right of the East side Orchard entrance

I've been planted Darwin Tulips & Purple Sensation Alliums on the streets.

Still need to plant the spring crocuses in the new 2016 bed.

Critters (in the basement garden)

Food stuff

Cauliflower Patties- from the Cauliflower Tot recipe

So good.

Crap I need to do when the Queen is done napping

Put away laundry.

Happy (if possible) Election Day and Late Fall!