Fifth Year SFG in Canada

bluelacedredhead wrote:Excellent! Canada Crookneck is a good variety.

Your indoor greens look delicious. I wanted an Aerogarden but spouse thinks it's a waste of money so instead, we have been buying a hydroponic lettuce from Quebec.

The AeroGardens are expensive especially in Canada. I got a really good deal on mine. When my mother passed away in St.Catharines (not far from you bluelaced), I took a lot of her stuff to a thrift store.  One day while I was there I noticed they had an AeroGarden on sale so I snapped it up at around $65 CDA. The unit was unused and would have originally sold for well over $200 in Canada. Now I have the overpriced supplies to deal with. But I do enjoy what it grows.

Trolleydriver, Sorry to hear that you lost your mother recently? Within the past year I imagine, because I read last year how you decided not to spend the money on the Aerogarden but now have one? 

We were in St.Catharines two weeks ago for supper, then went to the Falls to see the Christmas Light displays before they retire them for the year. 

I wondered if I would be able to find an Aerogarden at a thrift shop? I don't normally go to thrift stores but our Grandson was telling me the other night how he finds good deals on collectibles like Hot Wheels at one particular store. Perhaps Grandma should offer to go with him next time?  

Have you looked at Cdn Tire lately for gardening supplies? They've begun selling hydroponic items. Anything from the coco tubes for seedlings to full setups. I don't know if their components would be any cheaper than buying the AG brand components, but you might be able to do a comparison on their online shopping? Then you could start your own seeds in the tubes and save money that way. Just a thought.

trolleydriver wrote:This is about right …

LOL!  Love this!  So glad it's not us....so far anyway.

TD, what kind of seeds did you use for those sprouts?  Have you have used or heard of using wheat grass seeds?  And why are you calling them soil sprouts?  As opposed to what?
CC

Bluelace ... My Mom passed in March 2017.  Thanks for the info on CDN Tire and their hydroponics. I knew they sold some AG stuff but will check for other things. 

CC - the soil sprout seeds were a mixture of alfalfa, arugula, daikon radish and sunflower seeds that I had for microgreens.  Regular sprouts are often grown in jars in moist conditions.  They require lots of care to prevent mold.  Soil sprouts are grown in a media such as potting mix. They are harvested earlier than microgreens and before the true leaves develop. The method is explained by Peter Burke in his book "Year-round Indoor Salad Gardening".

That's a good book !

It is time for taking my annual seed inventory.  Winter Sowing and Indoor Sowing will soon be underway.

Nicely displayed for us! Look at all those beautiful flowers for Mrs. TD!

On the Edible Ottawa Gardens Facebook Group I asked for recommendations for varieties of corn to grow and which do not grow too high. Someone recommended Strawberry Popcorn. I went to Baker Creek website and looked at the customer ratings for it. Interestingly, the first review was from someone in Carleton Place, Ontario which is not far from where we live (about a 35 minute drive). They gave it five stars. I may try it this year.

https://www.rareseeds.com/strawberry-popcorn/

Just baked a Canada Crookneck Squash from last year's SFG.  Cut it in half lengthwise. Removed the seeds.  Put the halves cut side down on parchment paper on a baking sheet. Then into the convection oven at 375 for 40 minutes (temp and timing were my guesstimates). These things taste like candy. I'll be growing CCs again for the third year in a row.

Yes, well baked crookneck are sooo sweet.

Hard to believe that somewhere under all that snow there is a sleeping SFG.  So far this winter we have received about 100 inches of snow. Barely visible in the photo are a couple of squirrels scurrying along the cable above the greenhouse.

Been spending some time going through my notes from last year and my seed inventory then trying to decide what I want to grow this year and what new seeds I need to buy. My head is spinning. Looks like Baker Creek may get an order from me soon but first I will check local suppliers and maybe the Canadian Seed Exchange. As usual my choices exceed my available garden space but it is still amazing how much and the variety of things that can be grown in the SFG.

This year I think I will go back to dedicating the 2x4 Table Top primarily to herbs. Last year I tried growing a few other things in it such as kale and lettuce but they did not do all that well. I'm thinking of growing some herbs in Mrs TD's flowerbeds as well (wonder if she will notice).

For the past few years I have not had much success growing peppers in the backyard SFG and the same beds as other crops. Thinking I need a sunnier hotter location for them. An SFG bed in the middle of the front lawn would be ideal but that would not make Mrs TD very happy. My son grew some in a container last year and they were great but his backyard gets very hot compared to ours. Maybe I can get my grandkids to grow some for me in their 3x3 SFG beds that they started last year.

Seeds of Diversity Canada requires Membership before you can access members and the seed offerings. I was a member for a few years and obtained some otherwise difficult to find varieties from across the country. They suggest you pay for your selections but in most cases, the members offering seed did not want payment.  A way to connect with many Seeds of Diversity members/suppliers is by attending local Seedy Saturday events. There are two local to you, plus a couple more within an hours drive coming up in the next few weeks. The Ottawa, Pembroke, Brockville and Perth Seedys are all the weekend of March 2nd and 3rd. The info is on their website at www.seeds.ca  under events. 

Heritage Harvest seed in MB is one of my favourites. She has good seed counts and sells many varieties that do well in a cold climate of course. She is also a Seeds of Diversity member as well as a member of Seed Saver's Exchange in Iowa. 

Another favourite of mine, although in NY state not Canada is The Sample Seed Shop from Tonawanda, NY. Remy has a vast selection of seeds at decent prices, even with exchange.

bluelacedredhead ... I went to the Ottawa Seedy Saturday a a couple of years ago. It was crazy busy.

Most of them are!

Bought a few seeds today. Yesterday I placed an order with Baker Creek. Today's haul includes

- Lemon Balm
- Sage 
- Oregano 
- Lavender
- Chamomile

- Carrot - Danvers Half-Long
- Parsnip - White Gem
- Pepper - Mini Bell Mix
- Radish  - Cherry Bell
- Snow Pea - Snowflake
- Swiss Chard - Fordhook Giant
- Tomato - Roma

- Alyssun - Carpet of Snow
- Nastirtium - Dwarf Double Cherry Rose

So Trolleydriver you changed your mind about the Strawberry Popcorn?   I grew it twice. Didn't do much with it though, but it is compact and lovely to look at. 

Nice order you placed with Baker Creek. 

I ordered two items yesterday from Heritage Heirloom Seeds in MB. I bought a Thyme variety that overwinters most winters in Zone 3!  And Acadian Cherry tomatoes. My husband is of Acadian descent and we have Acadian Summer Savoury from New Brunswick.

bluelacedredhead wrote:So Trolleydriver you changed your mind about the Strawberry Popcorn?   I grew it twice. Didn't do much with it though, but it is compact and lovely to look at. 

Nice order you placed with Baker Creek. 

I ordered two items yesterday from Heritage Heirloom Seeds in MB. I bought a Thyme variety that overwinters most winters in Zone 3!  And Acadian Cherry tomatoes. My husband is of Acadian descent and we have Acadian Summer Savoury from New Brunswick.i

The list in my previous post is what I bought today at Canadian Tire.

The Strawberry Popcorn is included in my Baker Creek order that I placed yesterday. I am looking before are to growing it.

Oops. I was in a hurry to post as supper was almost ready. I see that now that you pointed it out.

TD,  What did you order from Baker Creek besides the Strawberry Popcorn?

I need one hybrid seed from Territorial and 2 common pepper seeds from whoever.  Baker doesn't have any Snow Fairy tomatoes this year - no supplier.  I will definitely save the seeds this year! They also don't have any type of cotton seeds. Thank goodness I saved all the seeds from the 8 plants I grew last summer.

sanderson wrote:TD,  What did you order from Baker Creek besides the Strawberry Popcorn?

...

Here is my Baker Creek order;

• Table Queen Acorn Squash
  
• Stevia
  
• Green Striped Cushaw Squash
  
• Desi Summer Squash
  
• Rattlesnake Pole Bean
  
• Toothache Plant - Bullseye
  
• Lemon Bee Balm
  
• Ronde De Nice Squash
  
• Galilee Spinach
  
• Strawberry Popcorn 
  

Plus they are sending me two free seed varieties (don't know what they are yet). Free shipping to Canada as well.

Free shipping to Canada!! Have you grown Rattlesnake beans before? They are so easy to find with their pod coloring. That's also why I love Dragon Tongue.

sanderson wrote:Free shipping to Canada!!   Have you grown Rattlesnake beans before?  They are so easy to find with their pod coloring.  That's also why I love Dragon Tongue.

I grew Rattlesnake Beans last summer. I received a few seeds as part of a seed exchange. They were good.  I'm thinking of growing them on part of my megatrellis this year. (note: I sent you a message on Messenger)

I noticed today that Amazon Canada reduced the price of the ANSFG 3rd edition from $32.99 Canadian to $22.86 Cda (that is $17.33 USD).

I'm in.  Just placed my order and with Amazon Prime free shipping it should arrive tomorrow.