Zinnia Seedling Status 04-01-2013

A post to document the progress of  the marigolds. I started them in December and January. I follow the usual sequence: Peat pods-> Peat pots with soil. See other seed starting posts for details. I water them sparingly every day and give them 12hrs of light. I water the soil, not the plant, if at all possible.


I started some zinnias on 12-07-2012

A tray full of zinnia seedlings.

 See the link blow:
http://backyardorganicgardener.blogspot.com/2012/12/seed-saving-and-starting-zinnias.html

I started other zinnias  in December and January.

12/24

1/19

See the link below:
http://backyardorganicgardener.blogspot.com/2013/01/seed-saving-and-starting-zinnias-update.html

Status on 4/1 of most of the zinnias. I have a lot of them.

Marigold Seedling Status 04-01-2013

A post to document the progress of  the marigolds. I started them on 2/3-2/4. I follow the usual sequence: Peat pods-> Peat pots with soil. See other seed starting posts for details. I water them sparingly every day and give them 12hrs of light. I water the soil, not the plant, if at all possible.

Progress photo on 2/7. the marigolds are on the right. zinnias are on the left.

Progress photo on 3/8 of some of the French marigolds.

Progress photo on 4/1 of all of the marigolds.

French mixed marigolds.

More French mixed marigolds.

Moonsong marigolds.

Petunia Seedling Update - 04-01-2013

Here is a quick post to review my techniques for growing petunias from seed and to show their current status. I give them about 12hrs/day of light and water them sparingly daily.

Petunias started 2/16/13.

Go here for details:
http://backyardorganicgardener.blogspot.com/2013/02/starting-petunias-02162013.html


Petunia seedlings in peat pods transferred to peat pots and soil on 03-10-2013.

Go here for details:  ... http://backyardorganicgardener.blogspot.com/2013/03/transferring-petunia-seedling-peat-pods.html

Status 04-01-2013

and

It Begins - Bed Preparation - 03-24-2013

It's Spring, but we still have snow. It is not unusual for this area. I try to get some pre-work in whenever there is a break in the blah weather.

 I start to get the outdoor beds ready by clearing off the snow and covering them with plastic. The snow will melt and the beds will thaw faster.

Frozen raised bed. The black plastic on the bed helps absorb heat. A must in this area.

Covering with plastic. I use bent hoops made from old political signs.

See my post: http://backyardorganicgardener.blogspot.com/2012/11/politics-is-good-for-gardening.html

A partial bed ready to start thawing. The soil in the pots is frozen. The pots make great anchors.

It may be cold and snowy. but I can still plant lettuce seedlings in my hoop house!

Not Quite Finished With The Snow - But The Vegetables Are Covered - 3/19/13

A quick post to show the hoop house during today's snow. The vegetables are snug and warm inside the cover. Not unusual to get snow at this time up here.  It can snow all the way to June 1st.

Enjoy !

Transferring Petunia Seedling Peat Pods Into Peat Pots 03-10-2013

Here is how I transfer my petunia seedlings into peat pots with soil.

I have a previous post about starting petunia seeds in peat pods.

I use peat pods and peat pots to transplant without disturbing the roots.

Here are some of the petunias growing in peat pods.

I fill peat pots with good soil ahead of time.

The soil should be moist to the touch but have no free water dripping from it.

Make a hole in the soil roughly the size of the peat pot.

Use a peat pod for reference.

Place the peat pot in the soil and gently push soil around it to fill in and spaces.

This one is finished.

A finished tray. I water them very gently.

Another finished tray. Just put them under the lights.

After a week they are still happy and growing. I water them every day.

One step closer to the goal.

Good Luck !!!

Sign Of Spring 02/26/2013

A quick post. Saw a daffodil popping up in the front garden. I take this as a good sign !!