I've decided to test the "plant when soil can be worked" concept. I don't normally plant this early but it seems like everyone else does? But I'm also testing plants in this particular space for another reason ... this area doesn't get as much sun as my other garden spaces. I tried to do a "3 sisters" garden here last year but it didn't go very well. Yesterday I threw in some seeds for an Italian lettuce blend plus Ruby Red swiss chard. Both are cool season plants so should be OK with a light frost and less sunlight. This might also be a good spot for brassicas.
With the same test of "plant when soil can be worked", I've done a second planting of the seeds I put into the greenhouse recently but in an outdoor spot that gets a lot of sunlight ... Kindle lettuce, Nero di Toscana kale, Easter Egg Radish and Red Baron bunching onions. I've also added one new green ... Bloomsdale spinach (my first time growing this). I've added some string to cat-proof the area until the plants start popping up.
I did not cat-proof another space where I've planted Astro arugula so we'll see how it goes! But that is another test ... in addition to planting earlier than I normally would, I also mixed the arugula seeds with mycorrhizal fungi before planting. This is my first year using this fungi (inspired by Michelle's amazing production!). I've read a lot about this and watched a lot of youtube videos to see how other gardeners use it. Mostly it will be used to help with tomatoes and peppers, but I thought I'd try it on a few other plants (I also scattered some around the "3 sisters" garden before planting the lettuce and chard).
And just a couple of updates with no tests involved ... I planted the potatoes: 6 yukon gold, 12 fingerlings and 8 russian blue. I generally just plant the seed potatoes in the bottom of a hole and slowly pile up the soil as the plant grows.
And I've got some sugar snap peas started. I had intended for the peas to go in another area, but I'm a bit behind on prepping some of the garden spaces, so adjusting as I go!
I'm one of those that plant when the ground can be worked. I generally do this for peas and spinach. Sometimes carrots, but carrots need a bit of heat to germinate. I find they don't rot easily though so they just take longer to get up.
ReplyDeleteI usually have intentions of trying, and it is easier with the raised beds which dry out faster, but I usually never do it. I read somewhere that peas actually need cold soil to develop a good root structure, which they don't in warmer soil. Probably explains my mediocre results.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you are quite far along. I haven't even built the beds where my potatoes are supposed to go in, although I haven't received them yet either. Like you, I'm trying to plant things out a bit earlier then I did in the past couple of years. So far, the seedlings I planted out over a week ago are doing nothing - it's been so cold, I guess. At least they are still alive, so that's one good thing. I do, however, see just the hint of some peas starting to come up...yay!
ReplyDeleteI've also been thinking of trying mycorrhizal fungi this year as well - where did you get yours?
Yes, I'm interested to see how the mycorrhizal fungi works out. I actually ordered mine online - i think it was Amazon. It's called "Mykos" root enhancer from Xtreme Gardening.
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