I have flower boxes on the back porch. The flowers will go in later. Meanwhile, rather than letting the boxes go empty, I planted arugula and kale (The seedlings are three weeks old). The cool weather is a plus for greens and the plants are attractive.
I will be attending and presenting at the 2015 Texas Master Gardener’s Conference in Belton, Texas. I will be representing Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. My presentation will be “Saving Heirloom Seed”. During the conference, take time to visit the Baker Creek booth. I would be happy to greet you and offer free seed and catalogs. The links below supply the location, schedule and speakers.
http://txmg.org/2015tmgaconference/
http://txmg.org/2015tmgaconference/schedule/
http://txmg.org/2015tmgaconference/speakers/
Spring brings many joys!! The Woods Violets are blooming in profusion! Enjoy!!!
I started some heirloom tomatoes seeds on April 4. Yesterday (April 7), three seeds had germinated in two seed flats. Today (April 8), seeds are popping up like crazy!!! The Coyne variety is far ahead of the Hannah tomato on germination. Providing the best soil temperature (75° (F)), stimulates germination. Plus, the seedlings are kept one inch from the bulbs in the light fixture.
It never ceases to amaze me, to see seeds pop out of the soil!!
I recently was invited to speak on the Urban Farm and Garden Podcast about Baker Creek and Heirloom Seeds.
Art Davidson may be heard at the 16:45 mark of the Podcast.
http://app.stitcher.com/splayer/f/55112/36556756
I am doing a seed growout for Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. These tomato varieties have never been offered for sale to the public. The seeds have passed from generation to generation. These two German heirloom tomatoes will be grown for seed and sold in the coming years. Hannah, a delicious oxheart shaped pink variety, is meaty, with few seeds. The other variety is named Coyne, a huge Roma type tomato for salsa and canning.
My homemade germination chamber is being used to start the seed. The chamber consists of four shelves with florescent lights and electric heat mats with thermostatic controls. By supplying the correct rooting temperature, a few of the seeds have started to germinate in just three days!!
Just uploaded another YouTube video describing how to plant potatoes in old tires to boost production in a small space.
The trees are budding and leafing out here in the Missouri Ozarks. This is the perfect time to plant onion plants and sets. The Amish in our area plant their onions shallow to produce bigger bulbs. I will be using this method this year. If they can do it, so can I!! Plant the onions no deeper than 3/8″ – 1/2″ deep. Make sure you keep the soil moist, for much milder tasting bulbs.
This the time to plant garden, snap and snow peas. Cascadia and Sugar Anne are the two varieties I will be growing this year. The cooler weather makes for crisp, sweet peas and a light frost will not bother them.
It is not too late to plant your potatoes! Cut your seed potatoes now and allow the cuttings to harden off for a few days. Either plant directly in the ground or plant in cages or stacked tires.
Today I spoke about Natural Pest Management at the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company monthly festival.
Papas Gardens 