Re: Second Year SFG in Canada

**trolleydriver** 5/15/2016, 4:47 pm

sanderson wrote:Oh, no! I see you use the 4/square spacing for your forks.

Correct ... I had a limited number of forks so I tried to plant as many squares as possible. Can I let the forks go to seed so that I will have more to use next year? Very Happy

yolos 5/15/2016, 4:50 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson wrote:Oh, no! I see you use the 4/square spacing for your forks.
Correct ... I had a limited number of forks I so tried to plant as many squares as possible. Can I let the forks go to seed so that I will have more to use next year?

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 931411784

**trolleydriver** 5/15/2016, 5:26 pm

Sadly, it looks like my tomato seedlings are in trouble. I have been putting them outside to harden off. Today I waited until the afternoon and I put them in what I thought was a sheltered spot. Unfortunately a cold wind has been blowing through. A lot of the leaves on the tomatoes are drooping and limp. It's sad because they were doing so well. Sad

BeetlesPerSqFt 5/15/2016, 5:35 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson wrote:Oh, no! I see you use the 4/square spacing for your forks.
Correct ... I had a limited number of forks so I tried to plant as many squares as possible. Can I let the forks go to seed so that I will have more to use next year?

**Turan** 5/15/2016, 5:39 pm

trolleydriver wrote:Sadly, it looks like my tomato seedlings are in trouble. I have been putting them outside to harden off. Today I waited until the afternoon and I put them in what I thought was a sheltered spot. Unfortunately a cold wind has been blowing through. A lot of the leaves on the tomatoes are drooping and limp. It's sad because they were doing so well.

Hopefully they will bounce back tonight. Maybe screen them with cheese cloth tomorrow?

CapeCoddess 5/15/2016, 6:52 pm

The wind has been crazy today! I put my tomatoes outside in a sheltered spot but later in the day the wind must have shifted and they ended up getting blown too much so I brought them back in. Tomorrow is below 60 degrees here so they won't even be going outside.

**trolleydriver** 5/15/2016, 7:48 pm

Turan wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:Sadly, it looks like my tomato seedlings are in trouble. I have been putting them outside to harden off. Today I waited until the afternoon and I put them in what I thought was a sheltered spot. Unfortunately a cold wind has been blowing through. A lot of the leaves on the tomatoes are drooping and limp. It's sad because they were doing so well.
Hopefully they will bounce back tonight. Maybe screen them with cheese cloth tomorrow?

I usually put the seedlings and store bought transplants in the garage for "warmth" overnight. But it's going to b exceptionally cold tonight so Mrs TD has made space for all the transplants in the kitchen.

I'm hoping if I cut off the damaged leaves/stems from the tomato plants, then perhaps the plants will bounce back.

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2016, 9:27 am

There is definitely damage on some of the tomato seedling leaves. I am assuming it is from the cold (even though the official temperature was above freezing) and not some other problem. The main parts of the plants including the new growth tips appear to be OK so I am hoping for a full recovery and no long term effects. I did read somewhere that cold damage can affect fruit production weeks after the problem occurred.

QUESTION: Should I remove the damaged and partially damaged leaves?

Here is a close up of one of the damaged leaves.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1713_zpseqiqxv8q

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1713_zpseqiqxv8q

This set of leaves received the worst damage.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1723_zpsnop73xut

Overall the tomato plants still look pretty good.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1726_zpsnrycl1vc

Marigolds on the left have some funny colouring on some leaves. The Calendula on the right are OK.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1724_zpsgx20zjny

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1724_zpsgx20zjny

Indoors under the lights, in this tray I have Cucumber (English Telegraph) started in the front row and Sunflower (Mammoth Russian) in the back row.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1727_zpsrunvc2mn

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1727_zpsrunvc2mn

Lettuce (Romaine) on the left and Swiss Chard (Bright Lights) on the right.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1728_zpsk8dod8sk

More Sunflower.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1729_zpsbp21h4xn

Pepper and one Tomato in the left back and a Basil on the right.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1730_zpsvmcupcx9

More Pepper (i'm growing Green Bell, Jalapeno and Cayenne).
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1731_zpslzq8unvc

A new batch of Marigold.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1732_zpstidecu21

More Lobelia.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1733_zpslxfdvmrs

Thyme.

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1736_zpsvseecuvf

Basil.

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1737_zpsvf6nog2x

Back to the Tomatoes that were outside. Here is another view.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1740_zpsimh95tuj

CapeCoddess 5/16/2016, 12:20 pm

Wow, lots going on at your house, TD! I didn't know we could/should start sunflowers inside. I planted mine outside about 2 wks ago and haven't seen anything yet. Too cold?

I would remove the damaged tomato leaves. They plants look so good that I don't think those leaves will be missed.

CC

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2016, 12:30 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:Wow, lots going on at your house, TD! I didn't know we could/should start sunflowers inside. I planted mine outside about 2 wks ago and haven't seen anything yet. Too cold?

I would remove the damaged tomato leaves. They plants look so good that I don't think those leaves will be missed.

CC

Concerning the Sunflowers ... starting them indoors is an experiment. Some people say they do not transplant well. In the past, when we sowed seeds directly outside we often lost the seeds or the small sprouts to critters (squirrels me thinks). When I transplant them outside I am just going to cut the bottoms off the containers (e.g. the solo cups) and try not to disturb the roots too much.

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2016, 3:04 pm

I should not have been surprised by the cold temperatures for the past couple of days. I just checked my thread from last year and on May 22 we had frost. On the morning of May 23rd I posted "So far things don't look too bad after removing the tarps. Temperature was -2 C at 6:30 a.m."

Mimi2 5/16/2016, 5:11 pm

trolleydriver wrote:I should not have been surprised by the cold temperatures for the past couple of days. I just checked my thread from last year and on May 22 we had frost. On the morning of May 23rd I posted "So far things don't look too bad after removing the tarps. Temperature was -2 C at 6:30 a.m."

Ha ha- I let myself get tricked by a friend who put her tomatoes out a while ago (plus mine are getting too big for the mini greenhouse. So far nothing has died yet. I guess I'm just lucky. I hope my luck doesn't run out soon Wink

Mimi2 5/16/2016, 5:12 pm

Great pics TD. Your seedlings are looking great.

**trolleydriver** 5/16/2016, 5:18 pm

Mimi2 wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:I should not have been surprised by the cold temperatures for the past couple of days. I just checked my thread from last year and on May 22 we had frost. On the morning of May 23rd I posted "So far things don't look too bad after removing the tarps. Temperature was -2 C at 6:30 a.m."
Ha ha- I let myself get tricked by a friend who put her tomatoes out a while ago (plus mine are getting too big for the mini greenhouse. So far nothing has died yet. I guess I'm just lucky. I hope my luck doesn't run out soon

Mimi ... According to Environment Canada, the low tonight in Ottawa is going to be 0 C with patchy frost. You may want to give your tomatoes some protection.

**sanderson** 5/17/2016, 2:30 am

Well, this is a first. I can't see the photos.

**sanderson** 5/17/2016, 2:06 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson wrote:Oh, no! I see you use the 4/square spacing for your forks.
Correct ... I had a limited number of forks so I tried to plant as many squares as possible. Can I let the forks go to seed so that I will have more to use next year?

Cocktail forks Very Happy

**trolleydriver** 5/17/2016, 4:32 pm

sanderson wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:
sanderson wrote:Oh, no! I see you use the 4/square spacing for your forks.
Correct ... I had a limited number of forks so I tried to plant as many squares as possible. Can I let the forks go to seed so that I will have more to use next year?
Cocktail forks

Unfortunately, the forks have not deterred the critters. There are holes dug in the squares where the forks are planted. Maybe I need to plant more than four forks per square. Interestingly, so far they have only dug in last years SFG beds and have stayed away from the new boxes.

**trolleydriver** 5/18/2016, 3:04 pm

These multiplier onions are doing OK.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1752_zpscykujoq9

These sugar snap peas are the only ones I've been able to germinate this Spring. I started them indoors in TP rolls. Those I seeded directly in the MM did not germinate.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1753_zpse6nehmyd

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1753_zpse6nehmyd

The tulips continue their beautiful display. I told Mrs TD to take some for cut flowers indoors.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1751_zpsne173srv

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1751_zpsne173srv

Hardening off seedlings on the front porch. I usually put them in the garage overnight but for the past three nights they have been in the house.
Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1754_zpswjtmlxb3

Second Year SFG in Canada - Page 11 IMG_1754_zpswjtmlxb3

**Scorpio Rising** 5/18/2016, 7:43 pm

I am growing sugar snap peas for the first time and mine haven't even gotten onto the trellis yet! Just so cold here for so long. I had other things going in there, but will make alternative plans! Great Lakes has been in a cold lock.....

**Kelejan** 5/19/2016, 12:27 am

TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD? I am sure she would appreciate them.

In time I intend to so do something like that. Maybe next to the asparagus bed that I intend planting. Three flowers and some fern makes a nice little gift to give senior shut-ins or when visiting sick people in hospital.

**trolleydriver** 5/19/2016, 7:38 am

Kelejan wrote:TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD? I am sure she would appreciate them.

In time I intend to so do something like that. Maybe next to the asparagus bed that I intend planting. Three flowers and some fern makes a nice little gift to give senior shut-ins or when visiting sick people in hospital.

Agreed. I was actually thinking of more than one square. But she already has tons of flowers in her gardens so I have to grow something different than what she has. Very Happy

**Kelejan** 5/19/2016, 8:24 am

trolleydriver wrote:
Kelejan wrote:TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD? I am sure she would appreciate them.

In time I intend to so do something like that. Maybe next to the asparagus bed that I intend planting. Three flowers and some fern makes a nice little gift to give senior shut-ins or when visiting sick people in hospital.

Agreed. I was actually thinking of more than one square. But she already has tons of flowers in her gardens so I have to grow something different than what she has.

I think you mentioned she would be growing perennials? That leaves plenty of annuals for you to grow.

**trolleydriver** 5/19/2016, 8:40 am

Kelejan wrote:

TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD?

Kelejan, did you mean a a whole 4x4 bed for cut flowers? That would be amazing! Not sure I can dedicate a whole box to flowers this year. BTW I am planning on growing Calendula and Nasturtiums for cut flowers. Mrs TD grows Cosmos that can be used for that purpose as well.

**Kelejan** 5/19/2016, 1:09 pm

trolleydriver wrote:
Kelejan wrote:

TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD?
Kelejan, did you mean a a whole 4x4 bed for cut flowers? That would be amazing! Not sure I can dedicate a whole box to flowers this year. BTW I am planning on growing Calendula and Nasturtiums for cut flowers. Mrs TD grows Cosmos that can be used for that purpose as well.

TD, I forget that people cannot read my mind. Yes, that is what I mean, but perhaps you can do a few squares in one of the beds. Or grow a square each in several beds. Brighten up the place.
A friend told me to grow Cosmos. Don't nasturtiums kind of sprawl all over the place? Perhaps a bit difficult to arrange in a flower vase, but would look pretty draping over the edge.

**trolleydriver** 5/19/2016, 2:07 pm

Kelejan wrote:
trolleydriver wrote:
Kelejan wrote:
TD, why not devote a square bed for cut flowers for Mrs. TD?
Kelejan, did you mean a a whole 4x4 bed for cut flowers? That would be amazing! Not sure I can dedicate a whole box to flowers this year. BTW I am planning on growing Calendula and Nasturtiums for cut flowers. Mrs TD grows Cosmos that can be used for that purpose as well.
TD, I forget that people cannot read my mind. Yes, that is what I mean, but perhaps you can do a few squares in one of the beds. Or grow a square each in several beds. Brighten up the place.
A friend told me to grow Cosmos. Don't nasturtiums kind of sprawl all over the place? Perhaps a bit difficult to arrange in a flower vase, but would look pretty draping over the edge.

Lat year I put marigolds and dusty miller in the front corners of my two boxes. I was planning something similar this year but will not be using dusty miller. The dusty miller grew very well but I want something more colourful. We shall see what happens. Smile

Sponsored content


	Hello Guest! Welcome to the official Square Foot Gardening Forum. There's lots to learn here by reading as a guest. However, if you become a member (it's free, ad free and spam-free) you'll have access to our large vermiculite databases, our seed exchange spreadsheets, Mel's Mix calculator, and many more members' pictures in the Gallery. Enjoy.