The weather continues to be mild! We have started to get the raised beds ready for planting and the yard cleaned up. Two or three hours per day on the weekends. Slowly, but surely.
Last weekend, I planted shallots (first time growing them), red onions, green onions, and a bit of garlic. I also potted my Dahlia tubers and brought them into the plant room where they'll stay until early June. Growing in the milk jug greenhouses on the south side of the house are Lacinato kale, parsley, Swiss chard, Golden Acre cabbage, Early Jersey Wakefield cabbage, and pansies. In the last few days, I also planted German Giant radish, Red Acre cabbage, Copenhagen cabbage, Red Mammoth cabbage, Summer Savoury, broccoli, and garlic chives in milk jugs.
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| Tomatoes and peppers under the grow light. |
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| The cat tree is occupied by transplants, so Bea's snoozing on the top shelf. |
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| Shelves set up in the living room. |
A big patch of volunteer pansies were growing in one of the raised beds along the driveway, so this week I transfered those to small pots and to the metal flower box in front of the house.
I am probably getting ahead of myself, but today I decided to start "Patio Snacker" cucumbers (hybrid variety...only 10 seeds in the package...?!) and North Georgia Candy Roaster squash in milk jugs. I will keep them inside on heat mats and if all goes well, will harden them off in late May and transplant them outside in June. Growing winter squash here without a greenhouse is pretty hit-or-miss. It's best to grow small pumpkins or varieties like Red Kuri. But being me, I still try to grow bigger varieties like Australian Butter Squash, Sweet Meat, and this year, the Candy Roaster. Fingers crossed. We'll see what happens.
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| Potted dahlia tubers |
Another experiment this year will be growing Painted Mountain Corn, which I obtained in a seed trade. It is supposed to be an early variety. The description from Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds reads: "These incredibly tough plants were bred in the bitter cold Mountains of Montana, they boast impressive cold hardiness, earliness, drought tolerance and they thrive at high altitudes. Montana farmer, Dave Christensen has dedicated his life's work to naturally breeding a corn that will thrive in harsh conditions, and since the 1970s has sampled from over 70 open pollinated varieties of corn to create painted mountain corn. These are old heirlooms grown by Northern Native American tribes over thousands of years as well as homesteaders from harsh northern climates. The bright color of the kernels indicate a high nutrient content, making it an excellent corn for decoration or for eating! Painted Mountain Corn can be eaten fresh, ground, roasted and make a highly nutritious flour for muffins, johnny cakes, tortillas and chips!"
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| Painted Mountain Corn, with new roots! |
I am trying the method of starting my corn that is shown in this video. I hope the weather cooperates when it is ready to be planted!
Update (April 27th) - rooted corn in vermiculite
Update (May 2nd)
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