Marigolds (large, round, orange with red streaks)
Tossed some seeds in the garden and near the tomatoes. Also purchased 6 transplants from the local nursery, as the marigolds I started indoors in March got fried when I tried to harden them off in May.
A garden staple - I grow these every year and plant them near the tomatoes.
Dinnerplate Dahlias (tubers - assorted)
Date sown: May 9, 2014
direct sown outside
Observations:
8/8/14 - Have had lots of large, white dahlias - beautiful! One smaller red, several orange peppermint, a small cream, and medium-sized lemon yellows.
Would grow again? Love dahlias, plant tubers every year. Haven't successfully saved tubers/overwintered them yet.
Starlight Rose Zinnia
Date sown: May 10, 2014
direct sown outside
Date germinated: Did not germinate, despite it being (pricey) new seed and my sowing it twice. Very disappointing!
These look so pretty online, would like to try growing them again at some point. Likely when the cost of seeds goes down!
Peppermint Stick Zinna
Date sown: May 12, 2014
direct sown outside
Date germinated:
Observations:
7/8/14 - First flower finally started to open! The flowers are smaller than they should be and the plants are much shorter than they should be. I think because they were planted in a shady part of the garden with hard soil. Not the best growing conditions.
24/8/14 - A second one opened. :)
Would grow again? yes
Early Russian Sunflower
Date sown: May 17, 2014
Direct sown outside - two of them, each in a separate container. Used as a support for pole beans.
Observations:
30/8/14 - These are about 7 feet tall. Small heads that have not opened yet.
Would grow again
Russian Giant Sunflower
Date sown: Late May/Early June (forgot to note the date)
Direct sown outside at the edge of the potato patch.
Date germinated: Did not note. There were so many "volunteer" sunflowers in the potato patch this year (which turned out to be about 5 feet tall and mult-headed) that I was unsure what was what!
Observations:
29/8/14
- The flower has started to open. The head/flower is smaller than I
expected it to be, considering the stalk is as thick as my wrist and ~10
feet tall. Then again, I did not fertilize it at all, and it was located in an area that was not watered regularly.
Approximate date harvested:
Would grow again? For fun, yes, but not near any vegetable crops.
Sunspot Sunflower
Date sown: May 18, 2014
direct sown outside
Date germinated:
Observations:
8/8/14 - Only two or these of these seeds germinated. The plants are coming along, but no flowers are close to appearing yet!
28/8/14 - One of these bloomed in the last week. Love these - compact, and the bees enjoy them.
Would grow again? yes
Teddy Bear Sunflower
Date sown: May 18, 2014
direct sown outside
Date germinated:
Observations:
8/8/14 - The plants are coming along, but no flowers are even close to appearing yet!
29/8/14 - one has bloomed in the last week, there are 5 or 6 that haven't bloomed yet.
Would grow again? yes
Scarlet Flax
Date sown: May 24 2014
direct sown outside (flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations: Love this! Tiny, delicate, vibrant red flowers - almost a neon effect.
Would grow again? Second year growing it, will grow again. Self-seeds and is easy to save seed from the pods.
Orange and Yellow Calendula
Date sown: May 24, 2014
direct sown outside(flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations: Grows so easily, germinates quickly, very easy to grow.
Would grow again? Second year growing it, yes, will grow it again! Easy to save seed. (Self-seeds easily, so I haven't much choice... *L*)
Pink and White Gomphrena
Date sown: May 24, 2014
direct sown outside (flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations:
8/8/14 - no sign of the gomphrena. Don't think it's going to grow this year! The part of the flower bed where I planted them ended up being taken over by pansies that self-seeded from last year's bunches.
Would grow again? Gomphrena's pretty and hardy, would like to try growing again.
Swiss Giant Pansies (mixed)
Date sown: March 24, 2014
direct sown outside (flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations: Light fragrance, very pretty, endures heat and cool temps well. Self-seeds easily, easy to save seed.
8/8/14 - to my surpise, none of the seeds I sowed directly in the flower bed germinated. Only 1 volunteer Swiss Giant Pansy grew, and that was in the pea patch!
Dwarf Hollyhock (perennial)
Date sown: June 23, 2014
direct sown outside (flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations:
8/8/14 - About 5 germinated and are growing along the edge of the flower bed. They are only ~3 inches tall at this point, though, and all leaves (no sign of flowers)
30/8/14 - no signs of flowers yet.
Sept 2014 - Still no flowers. Maybe next year.
Pink Double Poppy and Ladybug Poppy(annual, self-seeds)
Date sown: June 23, 2014
direct sown outside (flower bed)
Date germinated:
Observations: 23/6/14 - Though I have heard that poppies are among the easiest flowers to grow, I have never had luck with them before. Fingers crossed for success this summer!
29/8/14 - One opened today! Very pretty, frilly.
Would grow again? Yes - hope they self-seed.
Thursday, November 6, 2014
Leeks, Eggplants, and Peppers 2014
Giant Musselburgh Leeks
Date sown: February 16, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: Started sprouting February 23, 2014 (1 week)
Transplanted outside May 17, 2014
Would grow again? Yes, though they grew so much larger and were so much healthier last year! After being transplanted outdoors this summer, more than half were fried by the sun, despite having been hardened off. We bought about 12 leek transplants from the nursery, though even they did not grow as robustly as my heirloom and started-from-seed Giant Musselburgh Leeks did last summer.
Ping Tung Eggplant (heirloom)
Date sown: March 13, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: March 23, 2014 (10 days)
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Observations:
7/8/14 - Two eggplants spotted! Woohoo! One on each plant. Each about 3 inches long.
Would grow again? yes
Rosa Bianca Eggplant (heirloom)
Date sown: March 13, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: March 23, 2014 (10 days)
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Would grow again? Not in this gardening zone.
Black Beauty Eggplant (heirloom)
Date sown: March 13, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: March 24, 2014 (11 days)
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Would grow again? Not in this gardening zone.
Vittoria Eggplant (hybrid)
Date sown: March 13, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: March 23, 2014 (10 days)
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Would grow again? yes
Italian Peppers (heirloom? Received in a trade)
Date sown: March 24, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: Forgot to note
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Observations:
8/8/14 - This variety produced peppers well before the other varieties. Long, green, pointy peppers that remind me of witches' noses. They apparently turn red if left on the plant to ripen.
Sept 2014 - These are definitely not the Sweet Italian/Nardello peppers I thought they were. These are *hot*! Similar heat to jalapenos, maybe a bit hotter. What am I going to do with all these hot peppers?! Without question, these were the most prolific peppers I grew this summer. Why can't my bell peppers produce like that? *L*
Approximate date harvested: early September
Early Sunsation Peppers (yellow hybrid from T&T Seeds)
Date sown: March 24, 2014
Started indoors
Date germinated: April 8, 2014 (approx. two weeks - two of the five planted)
Transplanted outdoors: 6/6/14
Observations: Not that large or productive. Had to harvest while still green.
Would grow again? Unsure
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Root Vegetables 2014
Red Onions
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 9, 2014 (18 days)
Observations: July - root maggots got at the onions, so we had to pull and trash the entire bed! Arhg!
Would grow again? yes
White Onions
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 9, 2014 (18 days)
Observations: July - root maggots got at the onions, so we had to pull and trash the entire bed! Arhg!
Would grow again? yes
Detroit Red Beet
Date sown: May 9, 2014
Date germinated: May 21, 2014
Observations:
Approximate date harvested:
Started harvesting early July for juicing, the greens, and roasting. These are always a dependable variety.
Would grow again? YES!
Golden Beet
Date sown: June 2, 2014
Date germinated: Forgot to note.
Observations:
Approximate date harvested:
Harvested a few at the end of July. These are listed on many seed sites as having a similar number of "days to maturity" as red beets, but this is my second year trying to grow them and they definitely take MUCH longer to mature. Germination is also very sporadic.
Would grow again? Though they are a bit frustrating to try to grow, I'll probably try again next summer with new seed. Golden beets are delicious roasted, and the don't bleed/stain like the red ones.
Jaune Obtuse du Doubs, Cosmic Purple, & Nantes Carrots
Date sown: May 9, 2014 (Had to sow a bunch again on June 2nd, as nothing was coming up!)
Date germinated: Difficult to note because of multiple plantings!
Observations:
Sowed another bunch seeds, newly purchased mid summer, and covered them with burlap until germinated. A much higher germination rate this time. Will use a burlap cover - and the new seeds - next summer.
Harvested first small bunch on 7/8/14. Only two tiny Nantes in the bunch, the rest were medium sized Cosmic Purple and JOdD.
Would grow again? yes
Amish Heirloom Turnip
Date sown: May 9, 2014
Date germinated: May 22, 2014
Observations:
Approximate date harvested: Pulled first one September 25th.
Would grow again? Probably. Plant in a single row rather than a double row next time. These take up a lot of space. Also plant along the back edge of a container or the garden, and force yourself to thin them once they have sprouted!
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Zucchini, Squash, and Cucumber 2014
Earliest Mincu cucumber (hybrid)
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Sown outside
Date germinated: May 27, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
5/7/14 - We have tried growing cucumbers two or three times before. They are always slow to get going and then never really thrive (although we did get a few cukes last year). We have a few of this variety from seed and a variety from a greenhouse transplant on the go but they are still small.
Would grow again? Probably not
Zucchini (unknown variety - obtained in a trade)
Sown outside
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: May 27, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
21/6/14 - I have two of these plants on the go. One is so much larger and healthier than the other!
5/7/14 - Coming along nicely, seem robust.
8/8/14 - So far, have harvested 4 large zucchini. One more large one is on the vine. Two new female flowers were spotted today, so we should get at least two more before the end of the season.
Sept 2014 - these produced 5 or 6 zucchini before the cold weather hit.
Approximate date harvested: Started harvesting around last week of July.
Would grow again? Will grow zucchini again, but might try another variety, maybe even a hybrid. I was surprised these plants didn't produce more.
Tay Belle acorn squash (hybrid)
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Sown outside
Did Not Germinate
Sweet Meat winter squash
Direct sown outside
Date sown: May 29, 2014
Date germinated: June 11, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Had to replant, as only one germinated.
Second planting: June 12, 2014
Second one did not germinate!
Observations: 21/6/14 - Only one of these is on the go. Three or four planted, only 1 germinated.
8/8/14 - So far, have three pollinated squash growing...two of them with the vine wrapped around the apple tree!
Sept 2014 - Two of the three pollinated squash ended up shriveling and dying, but I came away with one 16 lb squash.
Would grow again? Yes
Red Kuri squash
Date sown: June 21, 2014
Sown outside
Date germinated:July 1, 2014 (11 days)
Observations:
21/6/14 - Planted two seeds - might be too late to sow, as they require ~100 DTM. Third time planting some sort of winter squash this summer, as several seeds did not germinate and needed to be replaced. Next year: sow a bunch, thin to strongest!
5/7/14 - Only 1 of the 2 replants germinated, so few days ago, I replanted a third time in the third squash spot.
8/8/14 - So far, have one pollinated squash of this variety.
Sept 2014 - Harvested the one cute little squash. Not mature enough (or large enough, frankly) to eat, but it makes a pretty autumn decoration.
Would grow again? yes
.
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Sown outside
Date germinated: May 27, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
5/7/14 - We have tried growing cucumbers two or three times before. They are always slow to get going and then never really thrive (although we did get a few cukes last year). We have a few of this variety from seed and a variety from a greenhouse transplant on the go but they are still small.
Would grow again? Probably not
Zucchini (unknown variety - obtained in a trade)
Sown outside
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: May 27, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
21/6/14 - I have two of these plants on the go. One is so much larger and healthier than the other!
5/7/14 - Coming along nicely, seem robust.
8/8/14 - So far, have harvested 4 large zucchini. One more large one is on the vine. Two new female flowers were spotted today, so we should get at least two more before the end of the season.
Sept 2014 - these produced 5 or 6 zucchini before the cold weather hit.
Approximate date harvested: Started harvesting around last week of July.
Would grow again? Will grow zucchini again, but might try another variety, maybe even a hybrid. I was surprised these plants didn't produce more.
 |
| 21/6/2014 |
Tay Belle acorn squash (hybrid)
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Sown outside
Did Not Germinate
Sweet Meat winter squash
Direct sown outside
Date sown: May 29, 2014
Date germinated: June 11, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Had to replant, as only one germinated.
Second planting: June 12, 2014
Second one did not germinate!
Observations: 21/6/14 - Only one of these is on the go. Three or four planted, only 1 germinated.
8/8/14 - So far, have three pollinated squash growing...two of them with the vine wrapped around the apple tree!
Sept 2014 - Two of the three pollinated squash ended up shriveling and dying, but I came away with one 16 lb squash.
Would grow again? Yes
Red Kuri squash
Date sown: June 21, 2014
Sown outside
Date germinated:July 1, 2014 (11 days)
Observations:
21/6/14 - Planted two seeds - might be too late to sow, as they require ~100 DTM. Third time planting some sort of winter squash this summer, as several seeds did not germinate and needed to be replaced. Next year: sow a bunch, thin to strongest!
5/7/14 - Only 1 of the 2 replants germinated, so few days ago, I replanted a third time in the third squash spot.
8/8/14 - So far, have one pollinated squash of this variety.
Sept 2014 - Harvested the one cute little squash. Not mature enough (or large enough, frankly) to eat, but it makes a pretty autumn decoration.
Would grow again? yes
.
Greens 2014
Green Cabbage
Transplant from greenhouse planted in garden: May 26, 2014
Would grow again? Yes! Will grow more than 6 next year.
Fordhook Swiss Chard
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: May 7, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations: Hardy, will grow again
Red Swiss Chard
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~ May 25
Observations: Need to plant in a sunnier spot next summer. Very ornamental.
Bloomsdale Spinach
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: May 12, 2014 (~ 3 weeks)
Observations: Plant in shade next year.
Approximate date harvested:
Would grow again? Yes! Great for juicing and salads.
Lacinato Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 24
Red Russian Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 25
Would grow again? Second year growing, excellent flavour (especially after cool weather sets in). Would grow again.
"Bob Marley" Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 24
Didn't get much beyond germinating! Will have to grow in a sunnier, hotter spot next year.
Vates Blue Curly Kale
Date sown: June 10, 2014
Date germinated: June 17, 2014 (1 week)
Grew well in a container on the front step.
Tom Thumb Lettuce
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated:June 5, 2014 (10 days)
Cute, small, more ornamental than practical.
Ruby Frills Red Mustard
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: June 7, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
Give lots of space next year - plants are large
5/7/14 - Pretty, but they go to seed quickly.
Approximate date harvested:
Would grow again? Yes, in a shadier spot.
Baby Star Romaine Lettuce (hybrid)
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: Did not germinate.
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: Forgot to record!
Dependable, will grow again.
.
Transplant from greenhouse planted in garden: May 26, 2014
Would grow again? Yes! Will grow more than 6 next year.
Fordhook Swiss Chard
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: May 7, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations: Hardy, will grow again
Red Swiss Chard
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~ May 25
Observations: Need to plant in a sunnier spot next summer. Very ornamental.
Bloomsdale Spinach
Date sown: April 21, 2014
Date germinated: May 12, 2014 (~ 3 weeks)
Observations: Plant in shade next year.
Approximate date harvested:
Would grow again? Yes! Great for juicing and salads.
Lacinato Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 24
Red Russian Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 25
Would grow again? Second year growing, excellent flavour (especially after cool weather sets in). Would grow again.
"Bob Marley" Kale
Date sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: ~May 24
Didn't get much beyond germinating! Will have to grow in a sunnier, hotter spot next year.
Vates Blue Curly Kale
Date sown: June 10, 2014
Date germinated: June 17, 2014 (1 week)
Grew well in a container on the front step.
Tom Thumb Lettuce
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated:June 5, 2014 (10 days)
Cute, small, more ornamental than practical.
Ruby Frills Red Mustard
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: June 7, 2014 (~2 weeks)
Observations:
Give lots of space next year - plants are large
5/7/14 - Pretty, but they go to seed quickly.
Approximate date harvested:
Would grow again? Yes, in a shadier spot.
Baby Star Romaine Lettuce (hybrid)
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: Did not germinate.
Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce
Date sown: May 26, 2014
Date germinated: Forgot to record!
Dependable, will grow again.
.
Peas and Potatoes 2014
Russett potatoes
Date direct sown: May 11, 2014
Date germinated: Forgot to take note of this.
Observations:
8/8/14 - Almost all plants thriving, flowers started to appear about two weeks ago and are still appearing on various plants.
Approximate date harvested: September 15th
Would grow again? Yes
Banana Potatoes (also called "Fingerlings", I believe)
Date direct sown: around mid June
Observations:
5/7/14 - I got four seed potatoes of this variety from someone I gave some tomato plants to. We put them in a raised bed at the back of the house. The seed potatoes looked iffy but the plants are doing well and need to be hilled!
8/8/14 - These have grown like weeds. R built up the sides of the container with boards and added dirt three times. I am eager to see how many potatoes we get from this small, experimental plot.
Sept 2014 - These produced no potatoes! Arhg! I was so looking forward to trying these, and thought we'd have lots at harvest time. Nope!
Would grow again? I would like to try growing fingerling potatoes, but next time will order starting seeds from a producer.
Green Arrow peas (and a few Little Marvels to finish the last row!)
Date direct sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: May 22, 2014 (10 days)
Observations:
5/7/14 - Peas look great, are putting out flowers in earnest now. The plastic mesh and bamboo stake trellises seem to be doing the trick so far.
8/8/14 - This trellis system seemed to do the trick, though we had to add ~3 sturdy wooden stakes to each row as the peas matured.
Approximate date harvested:
Started harvesting ~July 20th and continued until mid-August. Only sporadic picking after that, as most pease had matured and been picked by early August.
Would grow again? GREEN ARROW is the way to go. Full, large pods, consistent growth, easy to harvest.
.
Date direct sown: May 11, 2014
Date germinated: Forgot to take note of this.
Observations:
8/8/14 - Almost all plants thriving, flowers started to appear about two weeks ago and are still appearing on various plants.
Approximate date harvested: September 15th
Would grow again? Yes
Banana Potatoes (also called "Fingerlings", I believe)
Date direct sown: around mid June
Observations:
5/7/14 - I got four seed potatoes of this variety from someone I gave some tomato plants to. We put them in a raised bed at the back of the house. The seed potatoes looked iffy but the plants are doing well and need to be hilled!
8/8/14 - These have grown like weeds. R built up the sides of the container with boards and added dirt three times. I am eager to see how many potatoes we get from this small, experimental plot.
Sept 2014 - These produced no potatoes! Arhg! I was so looking forward to trying these, and thought we'd have lots at harvest time. Nope!
Would grow again? I would like to try growing fingerling potatoes, but next time will order starting seeds from a producer.
Green Arrow peas (and a few Little Marvels to finish the last row!)
Date direct sown: May 12, 2014
Date germinated: May 22, 2014 (10 days)
Observations:
5/7/14 - Peas look great, are putting out flowers in earnest now. The plastic mesh and bamboo stake trellises seem to be doing the trick so far.
8/8/14 - This trellis system seemed to do the trick, though we had to add ~3 sturdy wooden stakes to each row as the peas matured.
Approximate date harvested:
Started harvesting ~July 20th and continued until mid-August. Only sporadic picking after that, as most pease had matured and been picked by early August.
Would grow again? GREEN ARROW is the way to go. Full, large pods, consistent growth, easy to harvest.
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Thursday, October 23, 2014
Pre-Hallowe'en Snowfall Warning
It has been snowing for several hours today and at noon the temperature is hovering at zero degrees. Big, wet, sticky flakes, perfect for making snowballs. I just checked the weather forecast and was surprised to see there is a snowfall warning in effect for this area today. Here, a snowfall warning typically means 10-15cm are forecast. Nothing like the 30cm+ dumps of snow (usually followed by freezing rain) we got in Nova Scotia when I was growing up.
The leeks are still doing well!
Raspberry bushes
Karl is snug as a bug, snoozing in the cat carrier.
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