Question: From – momstheword11
Can anyone tell me please if there is an advantage to not planting them until the cut sides are dry? I heard that it helps to let the cut sides dry? Thanks.
Answer: From Papa
Spring is early this year. Let’s get busy! You see what’s going on in the grocery stores and supermarkets. All the more reason to start and maintain a vegetable, herb, and flower garden!
I apologize for the time away. Let’s not look back, but forward. I’m ready, when you are!
The groundhog did not see his shadow. So, we have an early spring.
I have started some of my spring flower and vegetable seeds (with the help of Miss Kitty). Let’s see; broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale for the veggies and bachelor buttons, calendula, dianthus (pinks), hollyhocks, Johnny Jump-Up, Painted Tongue, Zebrina (hibiscus) and pansies for the flowers.
We’re going to be seeing these beauties in the near future. I can’t wait and I’m getting impatient!
Do you have areas marked out for planting? Have you bought your garden seeds and plants? How about your additional supplies? Garden lime, fertilizer, row covers, potting soil, pots, trays, trowels, shovels, etc. will be needed to make your garden a success.
As soon as the ground can be worked, bring in the hoe, rake, tractor and/or rototiller. This is going to take physical effort, so please pace yourselves. By the way, don’t forget your post hole digger, fence posts, and garden wire. The critters will soon be active.
What are your favorite flowers and vegetables? Do you have a particular tomato that you cannot live without? Almost forgot the herbs! My favorite is Sweet Marjoram. I love the aroma, it is calming to me. Do you know about sweet marjoram flowers? Many of the pollinators are parasitic and parasitoid wasps, which are key at destroying many types of caterpillars.
I look forward to hearing from all of you.
Thank you for your support!
Papa
Amazing development today. Here it is, February 22, 2024 and to my amazement I found something I was not expecting. I pulled back three layers of floating row cover and was astonished!
Mind you, we had terrible icy, cold weather in mid January 2024. One day it was -26 degrees below zero. Plus, in February 2024 we had frozen rain the size of peas. Row covers are definitely worth the money!
Here is what I found.
The variety of spinach is called “Space”, which I purchased from Johnny’s Selected Seeds. https://www.johnnyseeds.com/vegetables/spinach/smooth-leaf-spinach/space-organic-f1-spinach-seed-4543G.html. Organically grown and is it ever delicious! Amazing, beyond my wildest dreams!
The beauty of growing naturally is you do not have to wash your greens until you use them. The spinach will last in the fridge for up to a month. Use a food grade bag or container to store your greens for further use. I use this method of storage for all my greens (cabbage, collards, kale, lettuce, spinach and swiss chard).
Think about your soon to be garden! Looking forward to hearing from you.
Papa
Introducing our newest family member – Oakley (who doesn’t like her picture taken!) She is quite the lady and has started learning the skills of country life.
We like our birds!!!! A small showing of our “regulars”.
Hoop house growing! The spinach and cabbage remain delicious!
Let’s not forget Miss Kitty, our tomato transplant supervisor. As quick as the transplants were re-potted, she would playfully paw them out of the pot. She is a very curious kitty!!
Papa presenting at the Wabash Valley Master Gardener Spring Conference in Terre Haute, Indiana. The topic , “Starting a Seed Saving Garden”. This wonderful group of dedicated Master Gardeners is very active in their community. Kudos to all your community service projects!!
Wabash Valley Master Gardeners
Spring flowers are cheerful! It is a delight seeing colors once again! Real “eye candy” for the soul.
Papa
It’s the season to start your spring Cole (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale, etc.) and cool season perennial seedlings for transplant. We have snow predicted for today in the Missouri Ozarks. Sounds like a great day to start seeds for March transplants.
Using clean flats and cell trays filled with soil-less potting mix and compost, plant 2 to 3 seeds per cell about 1/4 inch deep. Make sure to label the cell packs or small pots with the date and variety of plant.
Gently water the flats (We don’t want to wash out the seed!). Allow water to thoroughly wet the entire soil profile. Once the water has drained, you may now start to sow the seeds.
I place my seed and cell flats in an environmental chamber constructed from a shelving unit, thermostatically controlled electric heat mats and artificial lights. With this station, the perfect germination temperature and light requirements are met. In addition, plastic domes are a great way to create a humid atmosphere to enhance germination.
Usually cool season transplants require 4 to 6 weeks to reach the proper level of maturity to plant in the ground or other container.
This topic will be continued in the near future!
By the way, I will be attending and presenting at the 2016 Missouri Organic Association Annual Conference in Springfield, MO. The conference dates are February 4 – 6.
See you there!
Papa
February 4th through the 6th is the 2016 Missouri Organic Association Annual Conference, University Plaza Hotel and Conference Center, Springfield MO. Those attending will be from Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Tennessee and Kansas.
The topics will include: Grain production, Livestock production, Commercial Vegetable production, High-tunnel small fruits and vegetable production, Sustainable living skills, Culinary and medicinal plants, and a whole lot more!
The “Top Chef competition”, featuring 6 of the premier chefs from St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, and Columbia, scheduled for Friday, February the 5th, is by now a tradition of the MOA Conference.
One of the surprises prepared for this year is the “Consumer Health Education Seminary”, scheduled for Saturday, February 6th and open to the general public. The discussion will focus on organic foods and their connection to a healthy diet and balanced nutrition. The session will be presented by dietitians and medical physicians and will include definitions and discussion regarding “health food terminology”. Our guests will learn about the difference between organic, non-GMO, natural foods, free range, cage free, etc.
I will be one of the speakers on Thursday, February 4th. My topic will be “Making a Seed Saving Garden” from 11 am to 12 pm.
This will be my third year attending this incredible conference. This is a well organized conference including friendly vendors and volunteers, relevant topics of the day, organic meals as well as a beautiful conference center and hotel with free parking.
Hope to see you there!!
Papa
Have you saved seed from your vegetable garden or traded for seed during a seed swap? Have you provided space for them in your spring garden?
Here’s a tip worth your consideration. Find those seeds and start germination testing. Why? Germination of 50% or below should send you to your 2016 seed catalogs for replacements. Doing this now insures you will find the replacements available instead of “out of stock”.
Save time and money as a low germination rate will require double the seed sown for an expected yield.
An easy technique for germination:
Any questions? Do not hesitate to contact me!!
Papa
If you are ever near Springfield or Branson, Missouri, you should check out Bakersville Pioneer Village. Home of the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company, it offers an amazing Seed Store with over 1700 varieties of heirloom, hard to find seeds, gardening books, hand made items from the local Amish community, and items found in an old time Mercantile.
There are monthly festivals the first Sunday of each month (March through October) featuring local produce and herbs, Blue Grass and old time country music from local musicians and artisans selling home made soaps, jewelry, quilts and various crafts.
I often speak about Seed Starting or some aspect of gardening in the theater.
The next festival is coming up Sunday, September 6, 2015.
The hotel is open as an eatery offering vegan cuisine from produce grown at Baker Creek by our Chef Quintin Eason.
Enjoy strolling through the gardens of this quaint little “town” and enjoy the flowers in their full summer bloom.
Stop by the Flour Mill (Friday and Sunday) to get the best cinnamon bun you have ever eaten!
Make sure you stop by the Seed Store and say Hey!
Papa
You’re poring over your seed catalog, looking at seed online or better yet choosing your seed in the seed store. Hopefully, you’ve narrowed your choices. Making a list is a wise way to finally make your decision.
Let’s see what the seed packet says. The description should entice you to consider your options.
Happy Planting!!!!!
I uploaded a YouTube video showing my grandson and I planting some heirloom tomato seeds. I show how to plant in a seed flat and a cell flat.
Papas Gardens 