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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 15, 2015 17:43:36 GMT
My last frost date isnt until May 15th but I start my seeds inside in February. They grow under lights and on warm beds and get big and then when it it is time they go outside to complete their summer giving me fruits and veggies to eat!
I am pretty excited!
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Post by RetroMonde on Feb 15, 2015 20:09:19 GMT
That's really exciting! IF my plans work out, I'll hack my way thru the massive blackberry patch into the greenhouse today and see how it survived a year of neglect. (Well, our cats don't neglect the cozy warm spot to sleep so it's not total neglect). If our crazy mild weather continues, planting will be early so I'd better get some seeds started too. Maybe I'll browse my fave seed catalog tonight... good times!
Sandra
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Post by thekloset on Feb 15, 2015 20:23:32 GMT
lmao...I suddenly had a vision of Martha Stewart when you mentioned the calendar (did you ever see hers? she schedules the most ridiculous stuff, lol).
its below zero here with whipping winds and snow.
I cant imagine when we'll be ready to plant!
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 2:41:48 GMT
I didnt use to put everything on the calendar but now that I am in charge of keeping track of where 2 kids and a husband need to be daily, it has become my network central so to speak.
I plated 6 roma tomato plants, 3 cherry tomatoes, 2 yellow peppers, 2 red/green peppers, 2 artichokes, jalapenos, pepperoncinis, thyme, basil and marigolds.
I actually plant near holidays so that it is easy to remember.
Feb 14th, tomatoes and peppers inside.
March 17th, lettuce, peas and beets outside.
April 15th watermelon, cantaloupe, cucumbers, zucchini inside
Mothers day, green beans & carrots outside
After May 15th of last frost day, move everything outside after hardening up.
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Shirley U Geste
Chaos Manager
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 16, 2015 2:57:14 GMT
Boy you are organized, I am really impressed. I can't do seeds like that. I'm too impatient and it's a pain to keep them away from the cats.  I do sow wildflower seeds in the critter garden to add to the things that reseeded themselves, but that won't happen until things there start to sprout and I decide on the layout for this year. It's all turned over and ready to go, so it can start whenever it want to. |
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 3:01:02 GMT
I had to put chicken wire on 3 sides of my seed shelves to keep the kitten out of them. I have been trying toget approval from the HOA for a greenhouse. I have to go meet with them this week. Once I get that it is all moving outside!
This is only my 3rd year of growing my own food. I had to get organized to keep things on track. I am not at all this organized in the rest of my life. LOL
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Shirley U Geste
Chaos Manager
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 16, 2015 3:10:41 GMT
Do you can or freeze any excess?
Once the season gets going those would be great topics to discuss.
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Post by zoesam on Feb 16, 2015 3:38:54 GMT
Good thing you're not doing it outdoors. It's snowing here LOL.
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 3:43:41 GMT
I planted bare root strawberry plants a few days ago Zoe!! Have raspberries in my garage right now to put in the next few days.
I dehydrate and can my excess. I havent mastered freezing for fresh veggies yet.
Once I am done I will be mostly self sufficient with fruits and veggies. I have started ordering bulk on grains and have a cold storage room in my basement now. If I could afford bulk meat to freeze, I would be thrilled!
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 3:44:24 GMT
I pressure can and water bath can Shirley. I am always open to discuss those topics any time!
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Shirley U Geste
Chaos Manager
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 16, 2015 3:54:45 GMT
Boy you are really into it seriously.
I used to water bath can and also do pickles, but those days have long past.
I do get 50# of green chili every year, roast them and freeze them for use throughout the year, but that is it for me.
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Post by sunsetpainter on Feb 16, 2015 4:19:03 GMT
I pressure can and water bath can Shirley. I am always open to discuss those topics any time! Me too, mup! I love to can! DH says I've spoiled him for any other green beans except mine! And home canned carrots are to-die-for!! I even did bean soup one time and that came out great. Just a little funny: we had some friends come over for a cookout last summer. We just had hamburgers and hot dogs. I set out some of my sweet relish and dill relish. They went nuts over it and wanted the recipes. Well, I told them what went into them and they said, "Wait, You mean there's cucumbers in relish?!?" |
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 4:22:35 GMT
I have always wanted to roast green chilis. Maybe you can give us a show and tell how so I can learn?
I am going to get a fermenting crock this year. I want to grow tabasco peppers and then make my own tabasco sauce.
When I am done back here I will be growing strawberries, raspberries, lemons, limes, an avocado and orange, apples, watermelon, cantaloupe, tomatoes (3 kinds paste, cherry and slicing) cucumbers (2 kinds pickling and slicing) lettuce, cabbage, spinach, artichokes, green beans, corn, peas, potatoes, and a few others.
And I do it all in a suburban neighborhood with very little space. Most of my stuff grows vertically like the watermelon, cantaloupe, pumpkins, green beans, and peas. Almost everything else is grown in containers, including the artichokes.
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Shirley U Geste
Chaos Manager
Cats, cats, cats and more cats!!
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Feb 16, 2015 4:39:05 GMT
Roasting chili is pretty easy and I will be happy to explain it and post pics.
And I want to hear about how tabasco is made.
It's sure gonna be a fun summer with all the garden talk.
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 4:53:21 GMT
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Post by SA on Feb 16, 2015 12:49:30 GMT
I'm glad you posted this!
I will be starting indoors (garage with a bench with a window over it) at work. I was curious as to when to start it here in CO. You just saved me the research. THANK YOU!
Do you think it's OK since I don't have any heat lamps/warmth other than the sun peering in thru the windows and no heat?
I will just be doing mainly herbs with some cherry/roma tomatoes.
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Post by Desire on Feb 16, 2015 15:41:49 GMT
I used to start by seeds too for my veggies. I had them over on the side counter in the kitchen under the fluorescent under-cabinet lights and I'd move them over to the large window in the afternoon to catch the sun flooding in all afternoon. I used the little pellet system in the clear covered trays. I even made some of my own out of deep plastic deli loaf containers. For the past several years though, I've just been getting them from the nursery already potted and ready to transplant. But I miss watching them grow day by day.
This year I'm going to try fruit. We use so much of it in the summer - want to try blueberries, blackberries, & raspberries. Need to research as I know nothing about what to choose for our area and how/where to grow.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 16:34:16 GMT
Liz - is your garage heated? If not, I would use a warming mat or makeshift one. Your seeds will do much better with the warmth.
Also - set a fan on them with a slight breeze to help them not have a leggy stem.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 16:43:46 GMT
Don't forget all the cool weather crops: You can plant spinach, lettuces, beets, swiss chard, etc... in April. (Colorado)
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 16:58:16 GMT
I start my tomatoes and peppers pretty early for Colorado and they get HUGE inside. You could wait until mid-March to start.
I also recommend getting a seedling mat. They need to keep their tushies warm to sprout.
Make sure they are in a south facing window. They need about 16 hours of sunlight a day, which is why most people add the lights to them.
I just put bare root strawberries in last week. Raspberries will go in this week. You can put those in at any time, though they are mostly planted in the fall in Colorado. I have blueberries in pots.
The thing about fruit is that you wont get a good crop until the second year.
If you plant June bearing strawberries: pick the blossoms off the first year and then allow to set fruit the second year. For ever bearing, pinch the blossoms off the spring bloom and then allow it to go to fruit on the second bloom. You will get fruit in the fall.
Grow your raspberries in large pots. If not, they will take over your everything. I got Heritage raspberries. They do not typically need to be staked. But they fruit after the second year on the first years growth.
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Feb 16, 2015 17:01:51 GMT
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