Tomato Blow Out

Um, yeah, so I guess maybe I planted too many tomato seeds?

 Here they are looking all crowded together in their little pods.  Look at all those cute little leaves!  This is a very happy moment, because they finally smell like tomato plants!  Yay!  They're definitely ready for some direct sunlight, but before I move them I'd like to transplant them into bigger pots.

This isn't a necessary step - I didn't do it last year.  I'm hoping to grow them really big though, and maybe even sell a few, so I'm experimenting.  I thought that these yogurt containers would be just right, so I poked holes in the bottom with a screwdriver, added a layer of hay, a layer of compost, and a layer of ordinary garden dirt.  I put two seedlings in each container.  I planted over 60 seedlings, I'm out of containers, and I've still got 2/3 of my tomato plants to go...  So I haven't quite figured out where I'm going from here...

They look great, though!

Garden of Will & Charlie

My seedlings are finally starting to grow their true leaves - the third and fourth leaves that indicate an ability to photosynthesize.  Flora childhood is so fleeting!  I'm planning to move them to a sunnier location this weekend.

For those of you running a bit behind, it is almost - but not quite - too late to start your seeds indoors.  So get a move on!  Check out these inspirational photos of my good friends, Will and Charlie:

Will, left, age 5, and Charlie, age 3, prepare the "greenhouse" by watering the pods.

Will, whose attention span is significantly longer, adds the seeds.  Can you believe he's never done this before?!  He's already planting like a pro - And so can you!

Planting is done!  Will is extremely confident, while Charlie's expression conveys a cautious optimism that will be familiar to my fellow gardeners...

Great job, boys!  Keep us posted! 

The Perennial Plate

I just stumbled upon this website and had to share it!  The host, Daniel Klein, is a chef with an interest in "adventurous and sustainable eating."  He and camerawoman Mirra Fine filmed 52 short episodes (about 5 to 10 minutes each) exploring topics relating to that theme, from spear fishing to community gardening, from tapping maple trees to hunting squirrel.  (I haven't watched that one yet!)  The unique characters really keep things entertaining.  Plenty of recipes, too.  Beware though - some of these videos are not for the squeamish!  (I only made it half way through the "Meat" episode, and I'm not generally very sensitive.)   

I've watched about half the episodes over the past 12 hours, and these are two of my favorites... so far.  Enjoy! 


The Perennial Plate Episode 3: A trip to Milan, MN from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.


The Perennial Plate Episode 22: A very community garden from Daniel Klein on Vimeo.

A Note to Urban Gardeners

I just read this article - Please take a moment to look it over if you're planning to plant a garden in an urban area this spring, if your home was built before 1977, or if your garden will be next to a roadway.

If you're worried that you may have lead or other heavy metals in your soil, you can send a sample to a lab for testing - The cost is only $10.

Don't let a little lead stop you from planting, though!  You could fill some raised beds with fresh soil, plant in pots, or just make sure you wash your veggies well before eating. 

Growing your own organic produce is the most delicious way to positively impact our planet!

Babies!

My tomato seedlings are coming up nicely!  After a full week, they have nearly all "hatched," as have the Brussels sprouts, impatiens, Mexican sunflowers, and "Purple Mystery" flowers.  So far only one marigold (although the seed packet was market 2008, so I didn't expect much) and two black-eyed Susans have appeared.  

I am finally seeing signs of life in the hibiscus, eggplant, and pepper pods as well, so hopefully those sprouts will be up in a day or two.

Since most of my sprouts are up, I've gone ahead and propped open the lids on my greenhouse boxes to allow more air to flow through and to prevent too much moisture on the leaves.  I simply set the lids kind of ajar, so that the corners are open for airflow, although the sunflowers and Brussels sprouts are getting so tall that I may have to lift the lids up higher somehow.

The first two leaves that appear on the seedlings aren't really leaves at all, but are called "cotyledons."  These provide food for the plant until the "true leaves" are able to begin photosynthesizing.  Too sciency for you?  All you really need to understand is this:  When your seedlings grow their third and fourth leaves, and those leaves are shaped differently than the first two, it's time to move the little guy into a sunnier location.  If you haven't already, you should also remove the plastic covering entirely at this point.

Starting Seeds Indoors

I know that the idea of starting seedlings indoors is intimidating to some people and too much trouble for others.  If that's the way you feel, then you can just stop reading this blog right now.

No no!  Just kidding!  You should keep reading and see how easy it is!

You need three things: 

  

(1)  Dirt.  These pellets are the easiest option - No mess whatsoever.  I bought a box of 36 for $1.99, although I know I bought them in a bag on sale for much less last year.  You don't need any fancy container - That styrofoam thingy that your eggs came in is perfect.

 
(2)  Seeds.  You can buy a packet in person or online in about a gazillion places.  Or you could buy an organic vegetable, remove the seeds, dry them on your counter for a couple of days, voila. 

(3)  Water.

Ain't she a cutie?  I'm using these seed starter boxes that I think will run you about $6.  (Buy them on sale at the end of the season if you can.)  They're great if you're planting 20 or more seeds, and come in a variety of sizes.

Get your pods (or dirt) nice and wet before you add the seeds.  I put two seeds in each pod, usually by making a small indent with a toothpick or pencil, dropping the seeds in, and then using the toothpick to cover the seeds with a small bit of moist soil.   If you're especially forgetful, working with a preschooler, or both, I recommend covering the pods with paper or rags so that only the row you're planting is visible.

Once you've got them all planted in damp soil, cover them with plastic.  If you're not using a container with a lid, simply tent some plastic wrap over them to hold in the warmth and moisture.

You want to place them in INDIRECT sunlight, meaning a bright room, but not in a place where the light will actually be on them (or they'll burn up under the plastic.)  I put mine in a north facing window, which is light all day but never bright.

And if you're planting more than one crop, DON'T FORGET TO LABEL!

Now standing next to your seeds, spread your feet so they're shoulder width apart.  Bend slightly at the knees and at the waist, so that you're leaning over them at a 72 degree angle.  Wait.  As soon as you see a few little sprouts pop up, come and check back with me.

Corn Container Maze!

YOU CAN GROW CORN IN A CONTAINER!

How crazy is that?

And if your balcony or patio is large enough, and if you have several long, rectangular containers placed in a well thought out design, then you could create your own corn maze!

That would be so awesome!  (I'm talking to you, Jen!)


This is the final installment of our "Garden of Jen" container gardening series.  For those of you who don't know, Jen is a nice midwestern girl now living in Oregon.  I can only assume that her summers are spent despondently perusing independent book stores, drinking locally brewed organic beer, and wandering the beach in despair.  Not an acre of sweet corn in sight.  Tragic! 

I'll save you, Jen!  Save you with some delightful Blue Jade Sweet Corn!

These miniature plants (up to three feet) bear 3-6 ears with sweet steal-blue kernels.

If you're not so sure about the blue, you might also try Tom Thumb Popcorn, which is yellow, ornamental, and good for coastal and short season areas.  Dwarf 3 1/2 foot plants produce one to two ears that measure about 4" long.

Here's my note of caution regarding corn of any size or type:  Animals love this stuff.  Birds, squirrels, mice, you name it.  I've really been wanting to grow popcorn in my garden, but don't have room to grow enough for ALL of us.  The pests will eat it before you get a chance, so grow a few stalks for fun or dozens of stalks for food, but don't think you'll be able to grow just a few stalks and have any kind of harvest. 

Not that I'm trying to discourage you!  I suppose a balcony cat or realistic scarecrow could make all the difference! 

I hope I've managed to make a convincing argument for container vegetable gardening!  There is so much that you can grow in, really, any space at all.  A corn maze would be magical, of course, but a potted herb on the window ledge is a perfectly respectable start!

Check back for details on when and how to start your seedlings indoors...

You Say Potato, I Say Container

Here's something that sounds so fun and easy, I'm going to have my four-year-old try it this summer:

Grow fancy fingerling potatoes!

 

In a bucket!

Or a bag!

Or I could build a "potato condo," but I'm not going to call it that!









Here's the simplest way possible to grow yourself some:

• Go to the grocery store or farmer's market and buy some organic fingerling potatoes.
• Leave a few of them in a cool, dark place for a few weeks.
• When they start to bud, cut them into pieces so that each piece has 1-2 buds.  Let them sit out for a few days until the cut ends are dry and discolored.
• Find a container (see details below).
• Put a few inches of soil into the container and add the potato pieces, bud side up.  Cover with another inch of soil, water thoroughly, and place in a sunny location.
• When the stems are 6-8 inches long, add more soil so that just the leaves are visible.  Repeat as the plants continue to grow.

Supposedly, potatoes will just keep growing up the roots, so that when you finally harvest them, you'll have a whole row of potatoes attached to each leafy stem.  The idea behind the potato condo is, you can remove a slat from the bottom and harvest the oldest potatoes as you need them.  Kind of genius, but I'll stick with a more simple container this first year.

About the container:

You want something with really good drainage.  Potatoes like to stay damp, but not wet.  When you water, you want to make sure you really soak them, but if they sit in water they'll rot.  So, every extra drop needs to find a way out.  If you have to make your own drainage (as with a bucket), simply drill or puncture some holes in the bottom of the container.  Next add a layer or two of rocks, styrofoam packaging material, or broken terra cotta, and then soil.  Ideally you'll use potting soil mixed with a little organic manure, compost, or vermiculture, but take your dirt where you can get it.  They like full sun, but if your container is dark in color you might end up overheating them.  The bigger the container, the better.  A lot of people use burlap bags, garbage cans, buckets, plastic storage containers, big flower pots, or garbage bags.  If you can, keep the container up off the ground by setting it on some bricks.

I saw of few of these wooden bushels at the thrift store the last time I was there.  I wanted to buy them, but didn't think I had any use for them.  I think they'd be just perfect for containing my potato garden!  I'll have to go back and see if they're still there. 

You can harvest the potatoes when the soil finally reaches the top of the container, or once the season draws to a close.  Just tip the container over and your whole crop will tumble out at your feet!

Container Vegetables: Peppers and Tomatoes

I know this is the post you've been waiting for!  Let's start with peppers:

If you like 'em hot, you're in luck!  Here's a simple rule of thumb with peppers:  the smaller the fruit, the smaller the plant.  As hot peppers of all varieties tend to be much smaller than sweet peppers, you should have no trouble growing them in a container.  You'll harvest more than you can eat, even from one plant.  Try making your own hot sauce or crushed red pepper!

Sensitive taste buds?  No problem!  You can grow plenty of sweet bell peppers in a container as well!  (Just make sure it's of a decent size, and only one plant per pot.)

Peppers and tomatoes will need to be started from seed indoors six to eight weeks before last frost, and then moved outside into full sun when it's warm enough.  If you only want a couple of plants, you may be better off saving yourself the hassle and buying small plants from a nursery.  (Wait 'til just after Mother's Day, when the prices drop.)  Of course if you're feeling ambitious, there's nothing better than watching those cute little seedlings sprout up while there's still snow on the ground outside!

Tomatoes will need staking, so find yourself a nice round pot large enough to hold a tomato cage.  Your local nursery - if it's any good at all - will have at least one or two varieties of "patio tomatoes" which are recommended for growing in pots and may not even need staking.  Feel free to experiment with other varieties, though. Any tomato will grow in a pot with enough space and support!

If you're looking for something a little more interesting, the good people at Seed Savers Exchange have a few recommendations for you.  Try growing some really unique Cream Sausage, Green Sausage, Czech's Bush, Nebraska Wedding, or Silver Fir Tree Tomatoes!

Green Sausage Tomato

Nebraska Wedding Tomato

Another option for growing both peppers and tomatoes in containers is the Topsy Turvy Planter - As seen on TV!  My neighbor grew a fine crop of cherry tomatoes on one of these last summer.  I can't vouch for how a plant with larger, heavier tomatoes would do, though. 

Regardless of type, size, or turvy-ness, all tomatoes and peppers will appreciate hot weather and full sun!

Container Vegetables: Carrot, Cucumber, and Eggplant

Well, you probably think I'm crazy.  Carrots, cucumbers, and eggplant?  In a container?  No way!

Yes way!  This is the Paris Market Carrot.  Isn't it lovely?  It's a 19th Century French heirloom, only one to two inches in diameter, very sweet, early harvest, does well in shallow soil and containers!  Amazing!  Their shape and size are just ideal.  Once again I'd suggest a long, window-box style planter to allow them plenty of room and for the largest crop possible, but as always, use whatever you have on hand.  Carrot seeds are teeny tiny.  Sprinkle them on top of the soil and then cover with a very thin layer of soil.  Be sure to keep them moist.

 

Check out these little cuties!  They are Miniature White Cucumbers, and they are adorable!  Now for these you'll need a round pot large enough to hold a tomato cage - these guys need something to climb on.  (Putting the pot next to a trellis or railing would work, too.)  Just plant a few seeds after danger of frost has passed - Some people plant them in a little hill, but you don't have to.  Unlike most cucumber vines, which will grow until they've taken over the garden, these vines should only grow to about three feet in length.  Pick the little cukes when they're about three inches long, they should be mild and sweet with very thin skin.  As with all cucumbers, wear your garden gloves while picking - they're spikey!

This is a Round Mauve Eggplant.  Originally from China, these are thin-skinned and round, and can be harvested when they're about the size of a tennis ball.  The plants are compact and perfect for your container garden!  These are a little more difficult, as you'll have to start the seeds inside about 6-8 weeks before last frost.  (Or you could buy a regular eggplant seedling from your local nursery.)  Just one plant per medium sized pot, please.  I have recently developed quite a taste for eggplant:  grilled, sauteed, or breaded and deep fried of course.  Even if it's not your favorite, you can't deny that it would be impressive to have these purple beauties growing on your balcony!

Container Vegetables: Beans and Peas

In  an earlier post I talked about Sugar Snap Peas, which are quick growing, early harvest, and delicious right off the vine.  Because they're vining and tend to get several feet tall, you may not think they'd be very well suited to a container garden.  But check this out:

 You could create a trellis by wrapping some garden twine around your hanging basket.  If you have a railing around your balcony you could also plant them in a regular pot right next to it for them to climb on.  A tomato cage in the pot would work just fine, too.

Now let's talk beans:

There are about a zillion types, and it sure can get confusing trying to keep them all straight:  runner, pole, bush, snap, shell, dry, long, and so on.  I think you could probably grow any type you'd like with the right container and support, and I encourage experimentation!

For our purposes though, I'd like to talk about plain old ordinary green beans.  When buying seeds, make sure the package says "bush," which means the plants will be short and bushy.  ("Pole" beans need support, and will grow tall and thin.)  The picture above shows them growing in a long narrow container, and that's what I'd recommend for an abundant harvest.  Of course whatever you've got will work, and don't worry about giving each plant two feet of space, or whatever the crazy recommendation on the package will be.  Plant the seeds just 2-4 inches apart after danger of frost has passed.

The more you pick green beans, the more the plants will produce, so harvest as often as you can.  You should have more than you can eat from just a few plants, but once production slows, go ahead and pull out the plants, add a little fresh soil to your container, and plant a second crop for late summer harvest!

Container Salads

I'm happy to get back to our Garden of Jen container gardening series.  Today we'll talk about lettuces and other greens.

Lettuce is a great choice for a container garden, and you can grow either the "head" or "loose leaf" varieties quite easily.  Some people prefer the crisp sweetness of head lettuce, but it will take much longer to grow to maturity.  You can, however, pull off the outer leaves for your salad and leave the rest to grow.

My personal preference is for loose leaf lettuce, specifically the spicy, bitter, and beautiful Mesclun blend that you pay a fortune for at the grocery store.

Mesclun

I love the variety of color and shape!

Any loose leaf variety will grow quite quickly, so you'll be able to harvest your salad in just a few weeks.  And harvesting is so much fun!  Just take your scissors and snip!  Leave the roots and about an inch of lettuce in the pot, and it will just keep growing.  Before you know it you'll be harvesting again!

All lettuces prefer cooler weather.  You can plant the teeny tiny seeds directly into your pot as soon as the danger of frost has passed.  (Or sooner, if you're willing to bring the pot in overnight!) 

Lettuce also prefers sun or partial shade.  If you're balcony or patio gets full sun, try hiding your lettuce pots behind your other veggies, under your patio table, or in the shadiest spot you can find.  Even if your lettuce won't survive the mid-summer heat, you can still plant a spring and a fall crop.  (Plant another batch of seeds as soon as the weather starts to cool.) 

If you're a real salad freak, you may want to stagger your planting - plant a new pot of seeds every week or two so that there's always plenty ready to harvest.  (I have to say, though, I always seem to have more than I can eat!)

Collard Greens

If salad isn't your thing, you may want to try cabbage, collard greens, swiss chard, or spinach.  Make sure you check the package instructions when planting your seeds.  Some greens, such as collard, will require more sun (and will stand up to the heat better).  And don't forget plenty of water!

Spinach

Plant A Valentine

Today we take a brief hiatus from the Garden of Jen container gardening series to discuss...

How cute my kid is with the valentines that she's passing out at preschool today.





This does relate to gardening, as her valentines came with little flowerpot-shaped pieces of paper that were implanted with wildflower seeds.  The instructions claim that if you soak the paper in water overnight and then plant it in dirt, flowers will spring up in about two weeks.

The paper - perforated and filled with seeds.

Aw.

Directions on back.

We'll plant a couple ourselves and see if they really work.  I'll let you know in a future post.

Enjoy all the chocolate candy, pink frosted cookies, and conversation hearts that you can today.  Tomorrow we'll talk salad to make up for it.

Love, Steph

Container Herb Gardens

Today's post is part of our Garden of Jen series, which is all about container gardening. 

Growing herbs is an excellent way to experience the joy of harvesting food from your own garden, even if your garden is just a tiny pot on a window ledge.  There are plenty of herb garden kits available, and buying a kit that includes seeds, soil, and pots makes it easy to get started.

Even Chia makes herb garden kits!  Although if you're going with Chia, herbs seem like kind of a boring choice...





Another option would be to select a few pots, buy a bag of potting soil, and select plants or seeds from a nursery.  That way you can customize your garden in any way you'd like.  I've had great luck with basil and thyme, and sage and oregano are also great choices, but plant whatever you like to cook with - Or whatever you think smells good!  In addition to being beautiful and delicious, your herb garden will also provide a delightful fragrance.

 You could get yourself a fancy pot specifically designed for herbs.  (Strawberries grow well in these, too!)

If you don't have a few mismatched old pots lying around (like I always seem to), you could pick up some simple terra cotta pots just about anywhere.  (Check thrift stores for a really good deal!)

Of course there's no reason you can't be a little more creative about it.  Your recycling bin could be an untapped treasure trove!  (Be sure to pound a few holes in the bottom for drainage.)




As with any small pot - especially outside in warm weather - be sure to water your herbs at least once a day so they don't dry out.  Most prefer full to part sun - check the label for specific instructions.  Harvest any time and add fresh herbs to soups, salads, pasta, marinades, stir fries, you name it! 

Well look at that.  You're a gardener! 

Garden of Jen

My friend Jen asked if she could grow tomatoes in pots on her balcony.  Jen!  You can grow ANYTHING in pots on your balcony!

YOU CAN GROW 

A GARDEN

ANYWHERE!

This week, in honor of Jen's birthday, I'll be doing a series of "Garden of Jen" posts all about container gardening.  There is so much you can do with just a few feet of space.  A balcony or patio is wonderful if you have it, but you can squeeze a few small pots just about anywhere!  

There are two big concerns, in containers as well as anywhere else:  Sun and Water.  If your balcony is mostly shaded, then you may have trouble with veggies.  (There are plenty of other plants and flowers that will work in partly shaded areas, or you could grow a mushroom garden!)  And pots dry out FAST, especially if they're small, and especially in the sun.  You'll have to water daily, maybe twice daily, unless you can set up some kind of irrigation system.

That said, I will be spending this week - or however long it takes - convincing Jen to turn her balcony into the world's tiniest organic farm!  We'll start tomorrow with some simple herbs and go from there.  In the meantime, enjoy these inspirational photos:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEN!