Friday, January 11, 2013

Get ready for spring planting

I know I know - you're rolling your eyes at me.  Spring planting?  We're not even to the end of January!  AND THIS IS MICHIGAN!  But this is the perfect time to get ready. Its snowy here, and there are no exciting holidays left (screw Valentines Day), and so I need something to make me happy.  Thinking about planting makes me happy!

So here's the deal - if you didn't read last year's post - You have to have a grow light or two, suspended from a ceiling or a frame.  You start with biodegradable pots (or yogurt cups, or egg cartons - just make sure they have holes cut in the bottom) in a large tray to hold the water.  Mine looks like this:



You can see that I have marked each row or half row.  When I first started I thought I was cool and I was using popsicle sticks as plant markers. (ooh look at me, Im so GREEN).  Yeah.  They got moldy.  And the marker ran so I couldn't read them.  Just get the super cool un-green plastic things.

Fill the cups about 2/3 from the top.  Seeds will set on top, or will be pushed in, based on directions.  Top with a little bit of soil.  Water gently.

But it's bad for the plants if they get too big inside, and you can't plant them outside until after the last frost.  So you should be starting about 8 weeks before your last frost date

Detroit last frost date:   Approx. May 10th

This is when you should plant indoors:

  • 12 to 14 weeks: onions*, leeks*, chives*, pansies*, violas*, impatiens, geranium, and coleus
  • 8 to 12 weeks: peppers, lettuce*, cabbage-family crops*, verbena, petunias, impatiens, snapdragons*, alyssum*, and other hardy annual flowers
  • 6 to 8 weeks: eggplants, tomatoes, broccoli, dahlia, zinnia
  • 5 to 6 weeks: cockscombs (Celosia spp.), marigolds, other tender annuals
  • 2 to 4 weeks: cucumbers, melons, okra, pumpkins, squash , cosmos


An asterisk (*) indicates a cold-hardy plant that can be set out 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost.



Peace.  Love.  Serene

Grow. Regrow. Repeat

Along with the other blogs I listed previously, I am in love with this newly found one, 17 Apart.  Yes, I know I didn't have to do any actual thinking for this blog, but how cool?  Regrowing veggies from the ends that you normally throw away!  Check it out!


Regrow Celery
http://www.17apart.com/2012/02/growing-celery-indoors-never-buy-celery.html

Regrow Bok Choy
http://www.17apart.com/2012/02/how-to-regrowing-bok-choy.html

(I also read the same process that works for the above 2 links, also works for Romaine lettuce)

Plant Sweet Potatoes
http://www.17apart.com/2012/03/how-to-plant-sweet-potatoes-indoors.html

Grow Garlic
http://www.17apart.com/search/label/Our%20Avocado%20Trees

Regrow your scallions
http://www.thekitchn.com/re-growing-green-onions-grow-your-scallions-back-on-your-windowsill-165274


CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE:

http://www.17apart.com



Peace.  Love.  Serene