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Post by jonathco on Jan 5, 2021 10:42:23 GMT -6
Well, it's January 5th and cold + snowy here in Michigan, but that doesn't stop me from starting to think about 2021's garden! We recently moved, so now I am debating where to set up my grow shelf and lights for seed starting. Our last house had a rather dark basement that also seemed to encourage sporadic mold and mushroom growth on my plants. We ran a dehumidifier, but I think the air was just too damp in the basement of the last house; it was a struggle starting healthy plants most years.
Today, at our new place, we have a well lit walkout basement that is nice and dry; I can hardly wait to start my seeds! Thinking I may set up my shelf and lights near one of the windows in the basement this week. It'll be 6-8 weeks before I can realistically start any seeds, but by mid-late February, I should be able to start leaks and celery indoors. Normally, people would start onions about then too, but I've found it's so much easier here in the north just to by onion bulbs from the local feed store.
Anyone else scheming starting seeds yet?
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momof6
Junior Member
Posts: 76
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Post by momof6 on Jan 5, 2021 19:21:05 GMT -6
I actually hadn't logged in for a few weeks due to sickness- and busy holidays. But came here just to dream of spring- and reading these posts have my wheels turning about what I can do now to get ready.
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Post by handmaid on Jan 5, 2021 20:22:02 GMT -6
Starting to think about it. Reevaluating how many plants. And mulling over where to rotate things in the garden.
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Post by jonathco on Jan 6, 2021 8:49:25 GMT -6
For those of us in cold weather states, it seems the winter months are best spent day-dreaming of warmer and sunnier spring weather.
The Mrs. just told me that she'd like to start some flowers from seed this year (we've purchased flats of flowers in the past); so it looks like we'll be putting in one more order for seeds! I've already purchased most of what we'll need as far as veggie seeds, but I would like to secure some spaghetti squash and whatever flower varieties the Mrs. would like.
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Post by handmaid on Jan 6, 2021 11:10:35 GMT -6
For those of us in cold weather states, it seems the winter months are best spent day-dreaming of warmer and sunnier spring weather.
The Mrs. just told me that she'd like to start some flowers from seed this year (we've purchased flats of flowers in the past); so it looks like we'll be putting in one more order for seeds! I've already purchased most of what we'll need as far as veggie seeds, but I would like to secure some spaghetti squash and whatever flower varieties the Mrs. would like.
Last year was our third year vegetable gardening, but our first year planting some flowers. Most of the starts were from the reject shelves at Lowes for dying plants. OMG. They ALL lived, and gave me so much joy. Some were even "spring only" plants that lasted through to the first frost. Saved the seeds from them for planting this spring. After all the work that comes with vegetable gardening, having low maintenance flowers is wonderful.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2021 11:25:14 GMT -6
Well, it's January 5th and cold + snowy here in Michigan, but that doesn't stop me from starting to think about 2021's garden! We recently moved, so now I am debating where to set up my grow shelf and lights for seed starting. Our last house had a rather dark basement that also seemed to encourage sporadic mold and mushroom growth on my plants. We ran a dehumidifier, but I think the air was just too damp in the basement of the last house; it was a struggle starting healthy plants most years.
Today, at our new place, we have a well lit walkout basement that is nice and dry; I can hardly wait to start my seeds! Thinking I may set up my shelf and lights near one of the windows in the basement this week. It'll be 6-8 weeks before I can realistically start any seeds, but by mid-late February, I should be able to start leaks and celery indoors. Normally, people would start onions about then too, but I've found it's so much easier here in the north just to by onion bulbs from the local feed store.
Anyone else scheming starting seeds yet?
I received an aero garden for Christmas that operates with water, no dirt. It came with herbs, which I need to get up and going. I have seeds saved for fruit, such as Apple trees, wondering if this could be used to jump start those, as well.
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Post by jonathco on Jan 12, 2021 8:09:12 GMT -6
I received an aero garden for Christmas that operates with water, no dirt. It came with herbs, which I need to get up and going. I have seeds saved for fruit, such as Apple trees, wondering if this could be used to jump start those, as well. That sounds fun! Specifically for apples, you will want to do some research online; I've read numerous places that there is a science behind apple trees and that while you can certainly grow an apple tree from a seed, it will typically not bear fruit unless grafted onto rootstock of another variety (or something like that).
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Post by DirtDiva Admin on Jan 12, 2021 17:55:22 GMT -6
For those of us in cold weather states, it seems the winter months are best spent day-dreaming of warmer and sunnier spring weather. The Mrs. just told me that she'd like to start some flowers from seed this year (we've purchased flats of flowers in the past); so it looks like we'll be putting in one more order for seeds! I've already purchased most of what we'll need as far as veggie seeds, but I would like to secure some spaghetti squash and whatever flower varieties the Mrs. would like.
I love to start my flowers from seeds. The selection is so much better. I winter sow my perennial flowers in milk jugs on the back deck.
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Post by jonathco on Apr 15, 2021 7:33:00 GMT -6
Well, life got a little busy and I didn't get my seeds started quite as early as I'd hoped, but things are finally off to a start!
Tomatoes and peppers are on the seed mat. Due to numerous other house projects this year (new windows, hardwood flooring, + trim/casing throughout the house), we're keeping the garden a little smaller for 2021. I started 36 tomatoes and 36 peppers. That's about half of what we've normally done for the garden.
For tomatoes, I went with my two favorite standby paste varieties (San Marzano and Amish Paste); I am also trying a new variety ( Federle), which is supposed to be a larger paste variety.
Additionally, I started 6 varieties of peppers (Keystone Giant, Sunbright, Sweet Red, Purple Beauty, Jalapeno, & Cayenne).
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Post by handmaid on Apr 27, 2021 21:53:00 GMT -6
We are crazy busy as well. Most of my stuff is started. Think a bit late though.
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