No Vacancy: Herb Varieties in a DIY Greenhouse for My Organic Garden

Leaning toward the light!

Well, the greenhouse is officially full!  Today I started herbs and the last tomato variety for the season.  At five 36-cell trays per shelf times five shelves, that's 900 plants!

Green Tithing

While most are going in my own garden, I always start some extras to share with my church family.  This year, I've also connected with a community garden in a nearby town and will be sharing tomatoes, peppers, and herbs.  It's sort of my own version of Plant a Row for the Hungry mixed with "teach-a-man-to-fish."

Community gardens are fairly new in the towns near me, but I'm hoping they will spread this year.  Few small towns have groceries anymore and access to fresh produce can be limited for those who cannot go to "town" often.

Herbs

My herbs are the old standbys, with one exception:

Basil, Genovese                18 cells (bruschetta, anyone?)
Basic, Sweet                    18 cells
Thyme, Common             18 cells (great on chicken and beef!)
Wild Bergamot                 12 cells
Cilantro                          24 cells ( we really like cilantro!)
Dill, Long Island              18 cells (for dill pickles!)
Sage, Broadleaf                18 cells (for poultry and for hash)
Rosemary                        12 cells (for just about everything!)
Tarragon                         12 cells (great in chicken salad)
Oregano                          12 cells (there's just no substitute for fresh)

I've not had good luck with herbs in the past, but I'm hoping to change that this year!

Tomato

The power of the
Italian Tree Tomato!

The Italian Tree Tomato is probably the old Trip-L-Crop variety.  It produces large tomatoes which can crack if not watered consistently.  The vine grows so heavy, it mangled tomato cages last year and has prompted a move to either hog panels, or bamboo poles for this season.

Speaking of tomatoes, most varieties are finally sprouting,  the Mountain Fresh, Bloody Butcher, Eva Purple Ball, Santiago, Good Old Fashioned Red, Ox Heart, Rutgers Original Strain, Gold Currant, and San Marzano are coming up well, with the Black Truffle (Triefele), Mexico, and Cherokee Purple varieties just now beginning to come up.

Peppers

The early peppers are also sprouting.  The Early Jalapeno peppers plants are plentiful.  The King Arthur Sweet Pepper and Melrose Peppers have been slower in coming up.  In fact, none of the late peppers have germinated.  Soon, I hope.

Practically Gurgling

The ground is so wet it's practically gurgling, so the in-ground plantings will need to wait until it's a little dryer, as well as warmer.  Although it warmed to 60 degrees today, we had a heavy frost last night and highs in the 40s are expected by the end of the week.

Late Winter or Early Spring?

Trees are budding--although not leafing out yet--and the meadowlark is singing.  I don't know exactly what season it is, but am looking forward to working outside!

What season is it in your Savory garden?

Nancy