The pictures don't really accurately depict the withered, brown look these veggies are currently donning, but you get the idea. I wonder how they'll taste...
Friday, June 22, 2012
Well, Shit
I guess our beets and snap peas aren't fans of the unadulturated sunlight and 100 degree temperatures we've been having of late.
The pictures don't really accurately depict the withered, brown look these veggies are currently donning, but you get the idea. I wonder how they'll taste...
The pictures don't really accurately depict the withered, brown look these veggies are currently donning, but you get the idea. I wonder how they'll taste...
Thursday, June 21, 2012
OMG our seeds are actually growing
Yes, it's VERY exciting. Every vegetable has at least one seed that has sprouted.
Maintenance now is very easy. If it doesn't rain, one of us goes out and waters at night. That's about all. Someone once told me you should only water at night so the water doesn't evaporate during the day. I have no idea if it's true or not, but that's what I do.
It's fascinating to see the different growth patterns of each vegetable. Some are big and leafy, like the squash, others are more spidery and twist their way up the trellises we stuck next to them, while others seem to attract the most attention from the birds and are currently covered in layers of bird poo....
FEAST YOUR EYES!!
Maintenance now is very easy. If it doesn't rain, one of us goes out and waters at night. That's about all. Someone once told me you should only water at night so the water doesn't evaporate during the day. I have no idea if it's true or not, but that's what I do.
It's fascinating to see the different growth patterns of each vegetable. Some are big and leafy, like the squash, others are more spidery and twist their way up the trellises we stuck next to them, while others seem to attract the most attention from the birds and are currently covered in layers of bird poo....
How to grow tomatoes- Part 3
Remember in my "How do grow tomatoes- part 2" post when I said that once the seedlings reach 5-6" in height they should be moved outside? That was, and definitely still is, good advice. It is advice that I, in spite of having written it down, did not follow. So our seedlings were...a little too big. Some of them had outgrown their cartons, literally. And some of the cartons were, after being moist for so long, (perhaps because of my overly enthusiastic watering), a little moldy. However, despite the tight quarters, excessive watering, and furry growths, every single one of our seedlings was THRIVING!!!
Which of course left us with a huge problem: we had roughly 75 seedlings ready to plant, and only enough space for about 4 full grown tomato plants.
I guess we didn't anticipate that we'd have such an amazing success rate.
And so, I did what I could:
First, I disposed of the more moldy/runty looking ones. Sorry guys.
Second, I planted the healthiest looking ones wherever I could. Our original plan was to plant one tomato seedling into each giant pot (we have 4). Instead, I planted 2 or 3 into each pot. (I figured they could handle the crowding, based on what they were already used to). I also found more space in our upright beds, near the mesclun, and planted a few more there. Then I found/purchased a few more pots and planted a few more.
That left about 25 seedlings without a permanent residence. I left them in their little cartons outside, and thought about where I could plant them or who I could give them to. I brainstormed for days, maybe a week, and by the time I went outside to check on them, my decision was already made. They were dead. It was somewhat heartbreaking. But it certainly made my life easier. Off to the trash.
Lesson of the day: tomatoes seedlings are fairly indestructible, therefore don't plan hundreds of seeds unless you live on a farm.
Which of course left us with a huge problem: we had roughly 75 seedlings ready to plant, and only enough space for about 4 full grown tomato plants.
I guess we didn't anticipate that we'd have such an amazing success rate.
And so, I did what I could:
First, I disposed of the more moldy/runty looking ones. Sorry guys.
Second, I planted the healthiest looking ones wherever I could. Our original plan was to plant one tomato seedling into each giant pot (we have 4). Instead, I planted 2 or 3 into each pot. (I figured they could handle the crowding, based on what they were already used to). I also found more space in our upright beds, near the mesclun, and planted a few more there. Then I found/purchased a few more pots and planted a few more.
Ideally, you would want to strategically place these tomato plants in the areas that get the most direct sunlight. Obviously, that isn't exactly what happened in our case, given the circumstances, but I think most of our tomatoes ended up in fairly optimal spots.
Lesson of the day: tomatoes seedlings are fairly indestructible, therefore don't plan hundreds of seeds unless you live on a farm.
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
How to sow seeds
This was, fortunately, extremely easy, especially in comparison to our efforts on the garden thus far. Listed on our seed packets were instructions on how deep and how far apart to plant the seeds. We simply read the directions. And about 15 minutes later, we sowed our seeds.
The only slightly odd thing we did was to create mounds of dirt in which to plant our squash and cucumber seeds. Why, you may ask? I actually have no idea. But Pat told us to do it, so we did it. I think it has something to do with drainage....I was obviously not paying attention during this tutorial.
The only slightly odd thing we did was to create mounds of dirt in which to plant our squash and cucumber seeds. Why, you may ask? I actually have no idea. But Pat told us to do it, so we did it. I think it has something to do with drainage....I was obviously not paying attention during this tutorial.
Before and After Pics- Pre Seed Sowing
Before...
(Obviously we had some very wild terrain to hack through)
Action Shots
After Shot!
(See you later overgrown shrubs and dirty dirt!)
How to grow tomatoes- Tips
GROW LIGHTS
If you don't have an area in your house that gets abundant sunshine, try a grow light! They are very inexpensive and easy to set up.
As you can see from our photo here, we rigged up our grow light onto the bottom shelf of a book case. We also added tin foil to the sides for added reflection.
If you don't have an area in your house that gets abundant sunshine, try a grow light! They are very inexpensive and easy to set up.
As you can see from our photo here, we rigged up our grow light onto the bottom shelf of a book case. We also added tin foil to the sides for added reflection.
PET YOUR PLANTS
Yes, you read that right. Because your tomatoes are inside, they have yet to experience wind. By petting them, lightly petting them, you are simulating wind and thus making them stronger and more prepared to move outdoors.
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