Springing

Well every year I plan on posting more. The blog started more as a diary of things I had learnt, but the"gap" between out there in the garden and the PC makes it not the ideal medium for recording notes.

One of the ideas I wanted to record was the seasons. Last year was very warm summer and the hot peppers loved it. After a long, consitently cool winter, we emerged to what is turning out to be a late spring. They still forcasting -1 temperatures this weekend at night!

I changed a number of things this season though, its about learning and trying new things and not all went well. Firstly I replaced my starting lights. I was using 3 standard fluorescent shop lights bolted together with cold white tubes. Under these I could fit 4 trays. This year with the greenhouse, I wanted to do less indoors and so bought 3 of these led growlights on sale and  fitted them to cheap Ikea HYLLIS shelf. Much less space and half the power of 3/5 the capacity.  Although the lights drew a bit more than 20watt I dont think they worked as well, but i could be the soil.

Second was the issue with the new starting mix I tried. Organic right?? but it crusted, had damp water retention issues and half my peppers did not start, when planted in it.

The greenhouse though has being a life saver. It has not  dropped below 0 since early March and currently hits the 30's in the day and upper teens at night. Wow. Now if I only had more space. The upper shelves are mostly peppers and Tomatoes, and the lower (shaded) shelves are mostly starting squash,  melon, corn, sunflowers and cucumbers. The bottom beds i planted with some mustard, kale, lettuce and herbs. I got my first salad for Easter dinner.

Lastly the garden has started really bring in the wild life. I am not sure if its the absence of the ducks, or just the attempts to create a permiculture concept of all elements, but the garden is full of critters his year. I cant now kill them, but these two, along with the chipmunks, squirrels, racoons, skunks and birds are going to cause some issues. This rabbit has no fear and let me walk up to 6 feet from it.

Some notes on gear I love

Well it is a beautiful spring day and I want to get outside ASAP, but wanted to share a few things I have learnt on starting seeds

1) Labelling
Far too often I have lost labels and had no idea what type of pepper or tomato plant I have in a pot. I started by cutting up old aluminum blinds. Then realized for as many labels as I needed, why not just buy them.  I just wish I could find more biodegradable options. For trays, I use these now. They fit well in smaller cells and can be firmly inserted. The marker (sharpie) comes off after some time.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/New-Garden-Plant-Pot-Markers-Plastic-Stake-Tags-Yard-Court-Nursery-Seed-Label-/223211796367?var=&hash=item33f875b78f
Far better for pots etc are the paper and string ties, as they do not come off.  They last the season at least although again the marker does come off. They are also more biodegradable. https://www.ebay.ca/itm/100Pcs-White-Paper-Jewelry-Clothes-Label-Price-Tags-With-Elastic-String-5-3F1BB/192899915102?hash=item2ce9bb1d5e:g:mMYAAOSwxipbNaFQ


2) Ties
I first tried string, then dollar store green plastic plant ties. It became somewhat messy though. I then came across some cheap grafting tape on eBay that is also biodegradable. Its stretchy does not harm the plants and yes, biodegradable
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1-Eco-friendly-PE-Biodegradable-Grafting-Tape-Graft-Membrane-Gardening-Bind-Belt-/192595809924?var=&hash=item2cd79ad684
 This is now my standard in the garden for tying op plants to stakes for support etc.

3) Trays
I buy the 10x20  trays now at a hydroponic store. They considerably thicker and last far longer than the big box stores. I always seem short of these. an old hacksaw blade works well in taking plants out of these cells

4) Pots
Tray inserts, I buy also from a hydroponics store.  I like the 6x24 size per tray and start most of my seeds in them. For potting up tomatoes, peppers etc I use dollar store square plastic pots. The larger size usually. These I melt a small hole in the corner and tie the string labels onto them. They generally only last a season, maybe two and I use over a hundred of these each season. I like to add a bit of bone meal to my potting soil when I up-pot.  It seems to keep the plants happy, without needing to then add fertilizers when watering.
Peat pots are used for squash and some other plants that I prefer not to re-pot. These I just plant pot an all into the soil.

5) Soil
I made the mistake this year of trying a new soil. I thought the finer nicer looking organic soil, would work better, but compacted far too much and I had very bad results with my pepper seeds not sprouting.  My standard soil and rely and trust is Pro-Mix BX https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/products/pro-mix-bx-mycorrhizae/
Its can be a bit coarse looking, but seems to stay looser and lighter. It crusts a bit if you not careful though. Its also not really organic etc. Mostly, it does not seem to get as water logged.

6) Planting
My favourite tool for garden work is a Hori Hori knife, hands down. it digs, plants, cuts, weeds and generally does most bent kneeling work. http://www.leevalley.com/en/Garden/page.aspx?p=10504&cat=2,44663,71827&ap=1

I am sure every gardener pics up some habits and has their own preferences. I am also sure I will try a dozen new things in the next year or two and maybe keep one or two. That is why gardening is not something you get right in a season. Do you have some favourites you would like to share?