"Gardening is cheaper than therapy.....and you get flowers!"
Welcome to my new blog, one that will be following me through my 2014 garden. Love the peony pictured above? That was from last year's garden. That flower was bigger than my hand, just gorgeous!
Today is January 18th, can't believe the month is half over already. But now I am excited because seed starting time is close. Yes I am one of those who loves to start EVERYTHING from seed.
For those who have never started your own veges and flowers from seed, it is a very rewarding (and at times frustrating) hobby. Besides you know you are not getting transplants that contain any chemicals......have seen recent articles saying not to buy transplants from anyone but a local farm market because many of them have chemicals already in the transplant that are not good. For those of you wanting to try, there are so many great websites (Organicgardening.com is one) to help you learn about seed starting. Supplies are not expensive at all, and once you realized how many different varieties of flowers and veges you can start that would not be offered in the stores or markets, well it it addicting! LOL!
Timing is important in seed starting. I found a wonderful seed starting chart on the website for Johnny's Selected Seeds (http://www.johnnyseeds.com/t-interactivetools.aspx?source=W_GrowGuide_122013).....just plop in your average last frost date (April 25th around these parts) and it does the rest! You can find your average frost dates through the USDA website or your local County Extension office or website.
As far as garden planning, I found that I liked the Square Foot Gardening system of planting. You can find the book at any library or online, they even have their own website (http://squarefootgardening.org/). Basically you figure your planting in one square foot, depending on the plant is how many of each plant you put in that square foot, ex. 1 tomato plant or 9 spinach plants or 16 radishes.......check out the website for more information. Really makes sense and you will be amazed how much produce you can grow in a 4 sq.ft. garden!
Enough gabbing........what is on tap for this weekend? It is about 14 weeks to my last average frost date, not too much I can get started. I am going to be starting geranium and begonia seeds tomorrow as they need time to grow. May even start some onions. Herb seeds can be started anytime as they make good indoor winter plants....I actually planted lavender seeds on the 13th because I wanted to plant something! LOL!!!
You will find it hard not to start alot of seeds, but when they are started too early, you end up with not the best plants. And the way this winter has been so cold, am afraid we are going to have a chilly spring.
Well off to do some more planning....I have already made a list of the seeds I still have and just got my new seed order in yesterday! :-) Just can't wait to get outside and get my hands in the soil!
Until next time.....
Debbie
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