February 10, 2012

crop list for 2012

I’m starting to make a list of what to plant this year. Time to cut back on the number of things I grow. I pack too much in and things don’t do as well as they could. So here’s my list: In order of preference:garlicpotatoeslettucesummer squash: zucchini and yellow patty panonionssoybeans*broccoli*beetscarrotstomatoes*butternut squashsweet potatoesparsley, cilantro, dill*cucumbers (max 3 varieties)*bok choypeppers/chiles**eggplant**leeksceleriackale*peas*beans*radicchioescarole and friseepumpkins: maximum 3 plants: Jarrahdale and New England Pie sunflowersnasturtiumszinnias Tomatoes: Try the new color cages (purple?) and grow them with lots of space*does well in my slightly shady home…

February 6, 2012

my 2012 planting calendar

I’ve been thinking its nearly time to start my onion seeds. So today I made my 2012 planting calendar using an on line program I wrote several years ago. (Here’s the link. Its on my side bar too.) The onions need to be in by Valentine’s Day! I will start getting my trays ready.

February 1, 2012

my planting zone has changed!

My sister pointed out to me that the USDA has updated the plant zone hardiness map. In many areas, zones have changed reflecting warmer climates. I am just north west of Boston and was in zone 6a. Now I am squarely in zone 6b. This means there has been a 5*F change in minimum average extreme winter temperature. Up from -10* (in the last USDA version released in 1990) to -5* (the average from 1976 to 2005) in the map released a couple days ago. A couple of links are…

July 27, 2011

garden notes

I noticed today the the squash stem borers are killing the giant pumpkin in the cold frame. It looks like it won’t last much longer. I will try to remember not to grow squashes of any type in my yard as this is what usually happens. The parasitic wasps I ordered for the Mexican bean beetles and corn ear worms are both back ordered. I’ll be waiting weeks til they are available. By then, probably too late. Oh well. I will try to remember to pre-order next year. Today I…

May 11, 2011

oak leaves and garden plans

Its an old saying I remember reading: “Plant corn when the oak leaves are a big as squirrels ears.” My guess is this weekend will be perfect timing for planting corn. A couple months ago my son asked me to plant popcorn again this year. I had decided I didn’t have enough room and hadn’t set aside space for popcorn. But I’m not one to refuse a gardening request. So I revised my plan (below) to make room for corn. In addition to the added popcorn, when I went to…

March 31, 2011

calculating compost

Our community garden is figuring out how to get a nice compost product this year. Our priorities are a screened, delivered, organic product that fits in our budget. Here’s a nice site to calculate compost coverage: SOIL AMENDMENT CALCULATOR We have about 125 plots averaging about 15 square feet each (my guess). That’s about 28,000 square feet total. I’m figuring 2 inches coverage on all plots would be good. The calculator says we need 173 cubic yards of compost. That seems like a lot. At 15 cubic yards per truckload,…

March 28, 2011

2011 seed planting list

My seed planting list for 2011: January 28 (one seed tray)Leeks, Giant MusselburghOnions, Ailsa CraigOnions, FrontierLettuce mix:Endive mix:Broccoli, perennial purpleCeleriac February 26 (one seed tray)Kale, blue curled scotchKale, TuscanCelery, TangoRadicchio, Chiogga red preco #1Spinach, Spargo F1Chinese broccoli, green lanceMixed greens:Escarole, friseeDillOnions, FrontierOnions, Ruby Ring F1 March 19 (one seed tray)Beets, ChioggaBeets, white DetroitBeets, LutzFennel, PerfectionEggplant, TigerEggplant, KamoEggplant, Orient ExpressKale, green curled winterborKale, red RussianMarigolds, Burpee’s best mixMarigolds, African crackerjackMarigolds, MariettaMarigolds, Petit mixCanterbury bellsPrairie aster March 27 (one tray)Basil, Italian large leafPeppers, Amelia’s cayennePeppers, Quadrato Giallo D’Asti (sweet yellow)Peppers, Quadrato Rosso…

March 20, 2011

more seeds planted

Yesterday I started another tray of seeds: fennel, beets, marigolds, asters, kale, and eggplant.

January 29, 2011

first seeds of the season are planted!

I planted 6 6-packs of seeds today!!! My planting 2011 garden season has officially begun! 1 6-pk leeks 1 6-pk onions (Ailsa Craig)1 6-pk onions (Frontier)1 6-pk lettuce mix1 6-pk endive mixhalf 6-pk perennial purple broccolihalf 6-pk celeriac I had written my plant labels a couple days ago, but didn’t end up planting, so I changed all the 1-25’s to 1-28. Nice to know they are now starting to come to life.

January 23, 2011

plans

Tomorrow I am planning to start my planting. First I’ll clean some old seed trays using a diluted bleach solution. Then select seeds – only a few pots so early for planting in my cold frame. A lettuce mix, celery, onions. Maybe herbs and flowers too. My shelves and lights are ready to go.

weeks and counting until my last spring frost