Saturday, July 17, 2010

Pre-planting Planting

It is still too wet to work any soil - in fact, I would probably do more harm than good if I tried to do anything in my weed-filled vegetable beds.  BUT that doesn't keep us from "pre-planting" some seeds.    With the assistance of a very meticulous three year old, we got alot done.
Some items we chose to plant, will benefit from the additional time - cauliflower, eggplant, tomatoes, broccoli, and I'm trying some artichokes this year.  Others went into the seed trays because that what my helper wanted to plant - marigolds and a wild flower mix.    We usually sow those directly into the ground but  the landscape beds are all heavily mulched, and that makes sowing seed a little trickier. 

I know I don't need to say this but the most important thing to do after planting in seed trays is to water daily until the seed sprouts.  Give the trays a light sprinkling.  There is such a small amount of potting mix in each cell that they dry out quickly.   The wind is also drying so look for a protected spot for your seedlings.   I'm lucky - we're able to keep them in the shadehouse at our nursery where they'll get sprinkled automatically.
We planted one morning last week.  That same afternoon, my helper was already wanting to go see her plants.   Keep your fingers crossed for good germination!

Monday, July 12, 2010

Fall Veggies

Although it's not quite mid-summer, if you live in deep south Texas, it's time to begin thinking about your Fall vegetable garden.   After many years of gardening, I've finally realized that nothing is more important than doing things in  a timely manner.   I must confess that last spring I didn't get one single vegetable seed planted.   So I sure don't want to miss getting the fall garden in!

Down here in the Valley, our freeze dates run from December 31 through February 2.   Many years, we never get down to freezing.   This gives us more planting flexibility.    Doug Welsh, in Texas Garden Almanac recommends that we purchase transplants (the larger the better) instead of seeds for our vegetable gardens.  He says it will cut a full month from the days to harvest.  

But, you can't be sure which seedlings will be available in the garden centers -  so I'm going with seed this year.   If, by chance, I come across seedlings that someone  else has  taken the time and effort to start, I can always add them later.

When to plant can be confusing, so here is my list of favorite cold weather crops, the months they can be planted (we're talking the seed - add a month on the tail end for large seedlings), and the days to harvest.

Bush Beans, August - September, 30-60
Broccoli, July - November, 60-80
Brussel sprouts, July - November,  80+
Cabbage, July - November, 80+
Carrotts,  August - November, 60-80
Cauliflower, July - October, 80+

Eggplant, August, 80+
Lettuce, August - October, 30-60
Onions, September - November,  80+
Parsley,  July - November,
Peas (green), September
Peppers, July - August, 60-80
Potatoes, September, 80+
Pumpkin, August, 80+
Spinach, September - December, 30-60
Squash (Acorn), August, 40-60
Tomato, July - August, 60-80

I glanced back in my garden journal to help choose varieties.  Some of the ones that I made positive remarks about were Salad Bowl Lettuce,   Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, Celebrity Tomatoes, Roma Tomatoes, Longstanding Spinach, Southern Comet Broccoli, and Extra Early Blue Lake Green Beans.   What varieties do well for you?