DIY Greenhouse Tips and Garden Plans

Tomato seedlings have a case of tropism!

Until now, the bulk of this year's gardening has been inside due to rain or cold or both.  The greenhouse is working well and the plants are leafing out nicely.  I had feared the daily 18 hours of light would make them "leggy" but, so far, they are leafing out and building strong stems.  Since I hope to set out the first of them in 2 weeks, they seem to be making good progress.

It's been a beautiful weekend here on the farm with temperatures in the 60s and partly cloudy skies.  The weather has been so lovely, that it lured me outside.

Made in the shade.  Someday.

They're leafing out!

On Saturday, the local forestry association gave away trees and we picked up 2 dogwoods, 2 Nutall's oaks, 2 swamp chestnut oaks, and 2 yellow poplars.  The trees are little more than switches--about 18" tall--so they did not require a deep hole when we planted them on Sunday.  Because of last weekend's rain, the ground was still soft and relatively easy to work with, so, with the Resident Dragon wielding the telephone pole post-hole diggers, we made quick work of the planting chore.  Hopefully, they'll provide much-needed shade from the scorching evening sun.

Last year's strips:  I only used two.

We're growing in size, too!

I'm expanding my garden plots from 2 to 6 this year and started the season yesterday with a rough till to turn under early spring plants and leaves applied last fall.  While I usually do two passes with the tiller, the soil was so wet I could only do one without compacting the 20' strip.  With any luck, and a little warm, dry weather, I'll try for a second pass next weekend.

The freshly-tilled earth made it easier to collect soil samples to send to the extension service for analysis.  One of the things I learned from the Rodale Institute's Organic Transition Course is the importance of knowing exactly the condition of the soil before I make amendments.  Since I'll likely not plant most plots until May, there should be plenty of time for the results to come in.

I've come a long way since my first seedlings

That's just one of the lessons I've learned about gardening.

I've also learned several about starting seeds:

• 18 hours of light per day.  Period.  Using both warm and cool light covers both spectra.
• Soil temperature is essential.  Most seeds want at least 60 degrees and some (like peppers) want at least 70.  I depended on light this year, but that's not enough.
• Humidity helps conserve soil moisture.  My seedlings have improved since the humidity has stayed above 70%.  Despite this, some of the flats have looked a bit dry, so I've purchased a small pressure sprayer for misting and, later, for foliar feeding.

In other words, the mini-greenhouse is working!  I'm already planning some level of temperature control for next year--a forced air system or heat mats.  Does anyone have a good source for seedling mats?

More Sunshine!

The later sunset gives me more hours to work in the evening, and I'm looking forward to getting as much done before the hot weather descends upon us.  What's next?  Planning supports for beans, cucumbers, squash, and tomatoes.  More on that later.

News flash!

I just received word that my ginger and turmeric are shipping today, so it's time to assemble that raised bed I was given for Christmas!

So, that's what's going on.  

What's growing in your Savory garden?

Nancy