Re: Third Year SFG in Canada

**trolleydriver** 3/5/2017, 3:02 pm

I just made an inventory of my seeds. There is a total of 85 packets. Maybe that is not a lot compared to some of your collections. However, I am struggling to decide what to plant and what to leave out of this year's garden. As well, I'm not sure whether to grow for variety (a little of each of many different things) or quantity (a lot of a few things e.g., for canning).

I have 72 ANSFG squares. Of those 16 are occupied by strawberries and another 8 currently have garlic planted in them. That makes only 48 available squares. I also have 32 old style SFG squares plus a regular soil bed. I do not have enough growing area for all of the different things I would like to try. What to do, what to do? I definitely need to expand the growing area.

CapeCoddess 3/5/2017, 3:32 pm

You counted your seed packets? Shocked

lol

I get what you're saying. I probably have about 85 myself. This year, due to getting a new hip, I'm taking it easy on myself and only planting what I know works and are my faves. It's REALLY hard to pass up on a few things knowing that by next year they probably won't be viable, but it feels good taking it easy...not so confusing.

**trolleydriver** 3/5/2017, 3:53 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:... It's REALLY hard to pass up on a few things knowing that by next year they probably won't be viable, but it feels good taking it easy...not so confusing.

Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 Homer-thinking

Confusing? Yes ... I'm tying myself into knots trying to decide what to winter sow and what to sow indoors and the timing for both.

Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 Scratching-head-smiley-emoticon

**trolleydriver** 3/6/2017, 6:20 pm

Did a little (and I mean little) bit of Winter Sowing. I used three different types of containers. The large clear container has Lettuce (Butter King), the large translucent container has Zinnia (Pompon) and the small clear container has Kale (Blue Curled Scotch).

The work station showing one of the containers. The container has drainage holes in the bottom but at this point I had not yet cut it in half.
Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3566-001_zpsie0vfdgf

Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3566-001_zpsie0vfdgf

Container with "top" tilted back. Sometimes I leave a "hinge" between the two parts and other times I just cut the container into two separate pieces. This one has a hinge.
Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3567-001_zpsmennzeym

Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3567-001_zpsmennzeym

Container with top taped to the bottom.
Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3568-001_zpscxtody4e

The "three containers" not the the "three tenors".
Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_3569-001_zpsydb7t7dl

**sanderson** 3/6/2017, 6:28 pm

trolleydriver wrote:

I also took an inventory of my containers for winter sowing and came up with 23. . . Not sure if those with green colored plastic will work.

Somewhere back in my early educationn, we did an experiment with different color plastic films. The palest,spindliest plants were under the green. So, no green bottles. This is similar to our school project. http://www1.udel.edu/MERL/Outreach/Teacher's%20Guide/2.%20Effects%20of%20color%20on%20plant%20growth%20TE.pdf

yolos 3/6/2017, 9:01 pm

sanderson wrote:

Somewhere back in my early educationn, we did an experiment with different color plastic films. The palest,spindliest plants were under the green. So, no green bottles. This is similar to our school project. http://www1.udel.edu/MERL/Outreach/Teacher's%20Guide/2.%20Effects%20of%20color%20on%20plant%20growth%20TE.pdf

I also did an experiment back in School. Used different color film one one side of a 1/2 gallon carboard milk caron and planted beans. Can't remember the exact finding but I do remember some grew away from light and some grew toward the light.

**Scorpio Rising** 3/6/2017, 9:28 pm

Yeah, you gotta with the clear, or non colored plastic.

And in my opinion, just plant what you want to eat and pitch or give away the rest. Our precious squares are too coveted to mess around with any thing other than tried and true, or trying out!

ralitaco 3/6/2017, 11:56 pm

Man, you guys and these neat ideas!!! I may have to try planting in the clear bottles at some point, unfortunately, home remodelling has taken priority over gardening.

I look forward to seeing the results

**trolleydriver** 3/24/2017, 11:58 am

Due to my Mother's illness and subsequent passing to be with her Saviour on March 16, there is not much gardening happening in my world. The onion and leek seedlings that I brought with me to Mom's house are doing well and I just acquired an Aerogarden unit at a great price from a thrift store where I was donating some of Mom's stuff. It's still going to be a while until we can get back home to Ottawa. Maybe I'll dedicate a garden bed to my Mom.

**Kelejan** 3/24/2017, 1:07 pm

Dedicating a garden to your Mom is a great idea and will will some consolation to you.

mlpii66 3/24/2017, 8:50 pm

I still "visit" with my avid gardening grandfather every time I'm scratchin' dirt. I have his old tin cup he would use to drink from the outside water tap.

Like the bottle idea. I'm fortunate enough to live near a family run dairy. They sell milk in half gallon clear plastic milk jugs. I've collected a couple dozen bottles, and some new inches on the waist line. The plan is to cut off the bottoms to use as mini cloches under a poly tube type mini greenhouse set up on my beds. I'm also thinking of insulating below ground a foot or two deep around the perimeter of each bed. A greenhouse building book I recently read advised it keeps the soil ten degrees warmer under a protective cover that the protective cover alone.

I came from Florida to Idaho and am interested in any season extending techniques I can pick up.

**AtlantaMarie** 3/25/2017, 8:58 am

Kelejan wrote:Dedicating a garden to your Mom is a great idea and will will some consolation to you.

+1, TD. I think that's a terrific idea!

**sanderson** 3/25/2017, 3:24 pm

Kelejan wrote:Dedicating a garden to your Mom is a great idea and will will some consolation to you.

Agree

**sanderson** 3/25/2017, 3:25 pm

mlpii66 wrote:I still "visit" with my avid gardening grandfather every time I'm scratchin' dirt. I have his old tin cup he would use to drink from the outside water tap.

**trolleydriver** 4/1/2017, 2:06 pm

My personalized planting calendar for the next two weeks which I received in an email from the Farmer's Almanac. Unfortunately, it won't be happening for me this year.

Sow under cover or indoors:
	Broccoli
	Brussels Sprouts
	Cabbage (Summer)
	Cauliflower
	Eggplant
	Leek
	Lettuce (Leaf)
	Onion
	Peas
	Pepper
	Swiss Chard
	Tomato (Large)

Sow outdoors or plant out:
	Brussels Sprouts
	Cauliflower
	Lettuce (Leaf)

**sanderson** 4/1/2017, 7:56 pm

I'm sorry

**trolleydriver** 4/3/2017, 3:33 pm

Looking forward to getting back home to Ottawa early next week. Should be interesting to see what it is like in the garden. Hopefully most of the snow will be gone. I can't wait to take a peak inside the few Winter Sowing containers that I was able to put out before we left for what has been a most difficult month.

Here are my onion and leek seedlings that I have been able to keep growing.
Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_20170403_153654_zpslxk76sf4

Third Year SFG in Canada - Page 4 IMG_20170403_153654_zpslxk76sf4

**sanderson** 4/4/2017, 1:40 pm

CapeCoddess 4/4/2017, 2:31 pm

Those onions could use a haircut for the trip, TD. Very Happy

Not sure if leeks get cut or not...can't remember from the 1 time I grew them.

**trolleydriver** 4/4/2017, 2:38 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:Those onions could use a haircut for the trip, TD.
Not sure if leeks get cut or not...can't remember from the 1 time I grew them.

That's the plan CC. If I don't trim them they are going to get broken at the base.

**trolleydriver** 4/5/2017, 4:31 pm

trolleydriver6 wrote:
CapeCoddess wrote:Those onions could use a haircut for the trip, TD.
Not sure if leeks get cut or not...can't remember from the 1 time I grew them.
That's the plan CC. If I don't trim them they are going to get broken at the base.

The onion and leek seedlings received their haircut today in preparation for the long journey home. We expect to have my Mom's house fully cleaned out by late Sunday afternoon. We will spend Sunday night at our daughter's house, which is about 75 minutes away. Then on Monday we will take the 6 hour journey to our home. We spent a few minutes at the graveside today. We will come back at some time to add some flowers. Still can't believe that tomorrow it will be exactly one month since Mom went into emergency at the hospital. It's like there is nothing left of a 91 year lifespan except for a few memories. Sad

CapeCoddess 4/5/2017, 5:00 pm

...and a wonderful son.
bear hug

**trolleydriver** 4/5/2017, 5:18 pm

CapeCoddess wrote:...and a wonderful son.

Thanks CC. One of the last things she said to me was, "You have been a good son".

ralitaco 4/5/2017, 9:04 pm

That is a wonderful thing TD. I know she will be on the other side looking out for you and waiting for your reunion.

**sanderson** 4/7/2017, 2:38 am

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