Spring Progress, Planting Journal for April 2, 2011

We've finally had some good weather, but it sounds like cold, rainy is on the way. I even got a little color in my face.

The greenhouse is up and skinned. I put some temporary 6mil I had bought last year on it. I still don't have the heater in my greenhouse, but it is almost ready to go in. I wired lights and outlets, just got to have Marty inspect and add a breaker. My duct fan for my subterranean heating system came in today, and I've got duct to vent my heater.

It was so nice on Sunday. I planted early in the morning and had the greenhouse closed up. I went back out to work at 10:30 and it was 132 degrees. I forgot how hot greenhouses get on sunny days.

I planted my coles. I may have missed my planting window for my broccoli and cabbage. (sorry Mom) I'm not afraid to plant a little late, especially if the spring continues to be cool and wet.

I've got my seeds on some old heat mats I found up at Dad's. I couldn't find the thermostat controller. I don't think they are working correctly, but they will have to get me through this season. (out of cash.) I hope they are giving me enough heat to get my pepper seed in the 75-85 degree range.

I think I got the bulk of my excavator work finished. I've not burned, I might wait till fall now. I will have to get bigger equipment to get the remaining stumps out of the yard. I've broke all the ground up in the front yard and where I'm going to plant my garden. I'm hoping that I've got the roots broken enough on the Tree-of-Heaven to be able to kill them, with spray, as they sprout.

Creston took the extra broken, pea gravel from drive and put a good 2-3 inches on the path from the house to the parking area. I got the path marked and built around the side of the house to the garden.

Creston set the posts for the goose pasture. The goose pasture is 70' wide along the west side of the property, and goes from Bandit's pen to the back property line. I wanted enough room I could put in two long greenhouses from the barn to the back of the property (just in-case I decide to put in a business). Of course the poultry house would have to be removed. If I never put in greenhouses, the geese will have a nice big pasture, and I won't have to mow.

Well, I'm tired. Creston has got a double-header against Waterville tomorrow. It sounds like he is starting on the mound. Good job sugarman!

April 2, 2011

Seeds planted in greenhouse

Perennials:
Delpinium, Pacific Giants Mixed Color (Cheap seed)
Echinacea, Purple Coneflower (Cheap seed)
Columbine, McKana's Mixed Colors (Cheap seed)
Sweet William, Tall Double Mixed Colors (Cheap seed)
Sweet William, Single Mixed
Black Eyed Susan, Indian Summer
Poppy, Beauty of Livermore (Seed collected below barn)


Annuals:
Salvia Bonfire (Cheap Seed)
Dahlia Rainbow Mixed Colors (Cheap Seed)
Queen Anne's Lace, Graceland
Pansy, Nichol's Mix (probably too late)
Sweet Peas, Old Spice Mix
Heliotrope, Dwarf Marine
Dahlia, Victoriana Mix
Verbena Bonariensis (semi-perennial)
Nicotiana Sylvestris (Not sure if this is the right one, but it is suppose to be exceptionally fragrant)

Vegetables & Herbs:
Onion, Red Bull Hybrid (probably too late)
Rosemary
Pepper, Gourmet Rainbow Hybrid Blend
Ramps, Wild Leeks, Allium tricoccum (Hot item for fashionable kitchens on the east coast, not just leeks, which carry a certain snobbery, but Wild Leeks. Difficult to germinate.)
Eggplant, Pingtung Long
Pepper,Habanero (cheap seed)
Pepper, Sandia
Pepper, Mulato
Pepper, New Mexico
Pepper, Red Cal. Wonder
Pepper, Serrano
Pepper, Jalapeno
Pepper, Catarina
Pepper, Jalapeno Craig's Grande
Pepper, Espanhola
Pepper, Ancho Mexican
Pepper, Cayenne Long Slim
Chinese Cabbage, Choy Sum
Chinese Cabbage, Michihli
Cabbage, Red Acre
Cabbage, Early Flat Dutch
Kale, Red Russian
Brussels Sprouts, Long Island Improved
Broccoli, Hybrid Broccoli Blend
Onion, Burrell's Yellow Valencia (probably too late)
Leeks, Bleu of Solaise, (probably too late)
Cabbage, Tete Noire
Cabbage, Danish Ballhead
Parsley, Gigante D'Italia
Cabbage, Early Jersey Wakefield (anyone ready for some ensalada?)
Mint, Vietnamese Mint, Kinh Gioi

Cuttings
Had a good calluses on my eight grape varieties from Moms. We'll see how they do.
Numerous pussywillows rooted. (Cut from down on the Okanogan, probably a native variety.)


Seeds Planted in the Garden

Pea, Blue Podded Shelling