Mid-Atl - Mar 2018 - What are you doing?

OK I was early with the February post, so I'm making up for it by being late with March. The short month always throws me off as does preparing for my booth at the Maryland Home & Garden Show.

SOOOOOOOO what's everyone up to to get ready for this spring?

I've got lots of transplants going. I shouldn't need to buy any, but I know that's not likely to happen.   

I'll start classes here at my house on March 24th so the first thing I need to do is assess any problems from the recent heavy winds.

This week I'm going to plant peas and other hardy things in the garden. I've got hoops and plastic sheeting ready for unexpected cold snaps.

Well, as I said in the February post, I transplanted the following seedlings from cell packs into pots on March 4, 2018:    Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage.

I am awaiting my seed starter soil that I forgot to order so I can start the following seeds:
     Peppers and Tomatoes

I am leery on direct sowing of my peas, carrots and radish in the garden since there is a forecast of snow on Wednesday!

Hi Dunkinjean!

Dunkinjean wrote:
I am leery on direct sowing of my peas, carrots and radish in the garden since there is a forecast of snow on Wednesday!

That's why I'm always ready with hoops and plastic. Haven't had really good success with transplants for peas and don't even attempt root crops.

Hi AtlanticMare!

Kim - I don't start peas or carrots indoors only direct sow outdoors. 

We have a forecast of 10" of snow tom!

I want Spring...

Indoors:
My Stuttgarter onion seeds for 2017 didn't come up, neither did the 2017 Crimson Red bunching onion seeds - both from Baker Creek. I've had success with 1-year old onion seeds from other companies, both this year and previously - though not older than that. I bought fresh green onion seeds and re-sowed, but decided to just do sets this year for the Stuttgarter. I haven't tried sets before; it feels like cheating!

My 3-year old celeriac seeds are coming up fine, as are the fresh celery seeds. I've sown my second set of brassica seeds - cauliflower, romanesco, pak choy, and napa cabbage. I started my parsley seeds -- the home-saved seeds popped up very quickly, the older store seeds haven't made a showing yet. I started the cocona seeds 11 days ago. No germination yet, but one source said it could take 14 to 40(!) days.

Outdoors:
I got some beds topped off with compost on a nicer day. I harvested the overwintered parsnips, parsley roots, and most of the carrots. And I direct winter sowed some komatsuna and lettuce under cut-off milk jugs a few days ago. I haven't checked on them... My journal shows I had a lot more sown outdoors last year by this time - but this year didn't have the warm streak last year did. There is snow on the ground, again, and last night's low was 14*F. It still feels strange to me in some ways to start seeds (both indoors and out) before spring.

Coming Soon: Mustards outside, Peas outside, Tomatoes inside.

Hi, Jean!

Hi Sanderson,
I haven't been on a while. My husband and I have doing a bit of traveling and vacation. I go away again for a wedding in Florida next Wed. and back to NJ Fri. night for wedding in NJ.
I ordered my coir for seed starting indoors for my pepper and tomatoes and hoping they arrive soon.

Safe and happy travels

Hey, Jean!

Hi Scorpio Rising!

I am spending the weekend in DC with my family. My grandson (4 yrs old) wants to help me plant peas in the garden tomorrow...should be fun.

Nice!  Enjoy your gardening helper!

Scorpio Rising wrote:Nice!  Enjoy your gardening helper!

+1

As the title states, I am getting ready for this years garden.  I had so much fun and learned so much last year that I am ready to tackle SFG for another year.  Beds laid out, covers off, compost in, ready to plant.  So far this year I have direct sowed three kinds of peas (Alaska, Little Marvel, and Sugar Snap), De Cicco broccoli, and  Long Island Brussels Sprouts.

Of course, I made the mistake of starting indoors a little too early (missing the green growing things) So I have Six kinds of peppers, four varieties of tomatoes, some eggplant, and cataloupe started.  Well, not exactly started.....I planted my peppers on 1/18 and I am picking off flowers to promote more leaf growth.  Pics will be added later.  

Oh, and one more thing.  I took a couple of cutting off of my Big Bertha Pepper last year before i shut down the garden for the year, and have had them over wintering in my office.  Already have two good size peppers on it so far.  As always, pics will follow.

I've been waiting for the nights to be above 32-degrees, and it looks like it will finally happen in a couple of days.  So I am pre-sprouting my peas on the water heater now.   I fold a wet paper towel around the peas, put the folded towel in a ziplock bag, and place it on top of my water heater for a couple of days.   The top of the water heater provides just enough heat to help the peas sprout.   I will plant them outside on Wednesday.

Hi everyone!
Today I decided to plant my sugar snap peas and radishes in my gardens. I then covered them with black garden fabric to protect from any cold/frost and any critters (cats and squirrels).
I wanted to also direct sow my carrots but ran of time and light....
Since I leave tomorrow for D.C., I will have to plant them next week.

Dunkinjean wrote:Hi everyone!
Today I decided to plant my sugar snap peas and radishes in my gardens. I then covered them with black garden fabric to protect from any cold/frost and any critters (cats and squirrels).
I wanted to also direct sow my carrots but ran of time and light....
Since I leave tomorrow for D.C., I will have to plant them next week.

Be safe! Have fun!