Sprouts Are Up

Just a few pics of some seedlings that have sprouted.

Our rigged grow lab.

Spinach

Broccoli

Tomatoes are up too.

I want to put some of the spinach and lettuce out in the cold frame when it gets just a little warmer. Just to see how it goes.

That's it for now. Sure is cold and windy! And this follows of week of snow on Monday and little squalls and showers on Friday.

Branches and Twigs for Bean Poles

Great site! http://www.allotmentforestry.com/fact/bbps.htm Thanks Lisa!

Happy First Day of Spring '11 and First Seedlings Planted

First things first...Happy Spring!! The first day of spring in Maine is always so welcome. This year is no different.

Today though is just a quick journal post. As we enter the middle of maple syrup season I got around to seeding some seeds. A list:
To go into the cold frame as soon as all the snow melts:
Buttercrunch lettuce, Typee Spinach, Swiss Chard, Cilantro, Italian Parsley,

Then for the garden,
Early Jersey Cabbage, Calabrese Broccoli, Broccoli Romanesco (although I may put one of each of these broccoli into the cold frame too), Brussel Sprouts (yuck! I hate brussel sprouts...these are for my daughter), sweet basil, dill, peppers: 2 kinds of sweet and one hot - Sweet Chervena Chushka Bulgarian Peppers, and Jimmy Nardello's Sweet Peppers. Czech Black Hot Peppers) and some tomatoes: Federle Paste Tomatoes Black Krim Russian Tomatoes, Mark Twain Tomatoes, Italian Heirloom tomatoes, Garden Peach Tomatoes, and for cherries: Sun Gold (YUM!) and SuperSweet 100's.

I forgot to plant the Kale. I will get to it this week.

Late Spring and Online Garden Design and Planning

Patiently Waiting for Garden Season to Begin

As I sit watching a late spring snow and prepare to collect sap from some maple sap buckets I find myself, like many other gardeners, counting down the days to spring planting. Many of us have already ordered seed from wonderful seed companies. Others wait to go to the local Agway or such to get seeds. My absolute favorite seed and garden supply company is a small homegrown company right here in Waterville Maine. FEDCO Seeds, Trees, Tubers, Bulbs, Organic Garden Supply. If you haven't checked them out...do!! You can find them at: http://fedcoseeds.com/ They have the best seeds (and more) for the best prices. Early May is their annual tree sale which is a must not miss event. It's usually the first week in May.

Here's a fun site to explore. It has a fun to use garden design/layout template. As you move veggies,herbs,flowers into your garden the planting and care information is listed below. http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Page-KGPJS

And this gives last and first frost information for each state: http://www.victoryseeds.com/frost/ Says for my area May 12th is our estimated last frost date. I haven't started any seeds yet but plan to start a few things for the cold frame soon. I got a small cold frame last year and want to see if I can get a jump start with some cool season/cool weather loving greens such as lettuce and spinach. I'm thinking of some cilantro too since that's a cool loving herb. I know some folks begin gardening during the winter months or garden under hoop houses all winter but I've never done that so this is new for me. I'll start small and see how it goes for me. Isn't gardening great!? Always new things to try.

Fun stuff!! So check it out and have fun with your garden plan and seed/supply choosing and purchasing.
Mary