Indoor seedlings
>> Friday, March 27, 2015 –
seedlings
Although it snowed a bit last night and the next couple of days will be chilly, I think I've timed my edible plants seed starting quite well this year. I say that as if it's really in my control...
...but the truth is that spring in St. Louis is quite unpredictable, and some years the spring temperatures last for just a couple of weeks before we bolt into the 80's and early summer. So it's not just a question of starting the seedlings on the right calendar date -- luck has a lot to do with it.
I'll most likely put all of these into the garden this weekend (freeing up valuable space for the next wave of seedlings) so I thought I'd give you a look at them while they're still indoors.
The lacinato kale (which resulted in my newest Agave purchases a few weeks ago) is looking the best, so blue!
The "mostly Russian Red but not quite because they were cross pollinated" kale isn't looking as healthy (the yellowish plants in the first photo), which is strange because these are all getting the exact same fertilizer and are in the same potting mix.
A similar thing is happening with one or two of the tomato seedlings:
Most are quite healthy so far though:
I only planted two varieties this year: "Pineapple" and "Paul Robeson". I always plant way too many for my garden so cut back this time. I may pick up a couple of more varieties later, including a "patio" type for the deck though.
Beets looking wonderful...
...and the Cilantro/Coriander is too, although it looks a bit yellow in this photo (in person it's not):
My cuttings are all rooting...
...including my nopales cactus pads...
...which have rooted but haven't swelled yet. I've been keeping them on the dry side just to be safe. I'll start increasing the water now that roots are poking out of the drainage holes.
The one opuntia pad that the lawnmower wheel broke off last fall is happy, creating new growth...
...and will soon be moved outside.
Which means it is almost time to move all of the garage plants outside too -- one of my absolute favorite things about spring (because I get my workspace back)!
Are you growing anything from seed indoors this spring?
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You have the seed skills, something I would like to polish. And that opuntia pad is so cool, I hope it roots for you and grows like mad!
Impressive array of seedlings and cuttings! I've planted tomatoes but they aren't up yet. Do you use heating pads when you start seeds? I'll plant datura this year as well. Datura and two of the tomato varieties I planted are from our Botanical Interests gift bag.
With years of experience you know how to time things well already despite the unpredictability of spring there :)
Tamara: the opuntia pads have all rooted, even after being left in the garage for 4 months before I got around to potting them!
Peter: As the area under my lights is 75ºF or so already I've never felt that a heating pad was necessary. I'm looking forward to planting the Datura metel too to complement the Datura inoxia that volunteers every year in my garden now!
Mark/Gaz: I think you give me too much credit. :)
Once again I am shocked at the speed with which your weather does a complete flip. Winter one day, seedlings and tender plants out the next.
All I've planted from seed thus far are sugar snap peas. Something (squirrel, bird, maybe even a cat) managed to dig up about a third of the seeds as they were germinating, but I've got plenty of others about an inch and a half tall now. Yum!
And I haven't even started veg seeds yet for spring! Your unpredictable weather obviously keeps you focused and disciplined -- thanks for the reminder to get sowing!
I'm doing winter seed sowing again this year - all my seeds have been outside for several weeks now , nestled in their milk jugs, waiting for their big moment. As usual we planted far too much, so we'll be pushing plants on every one we know! Gardeners are fun people!
Loree: I don't ever remember easing into Spring or Summer while I've lived in St. Louis. It's always abrupt!
Denise: When all you can do garden-wise is start some seeds indoors, it's easy to appear to be "disciplined". :)
Lisa: I've not had good luck with the winter sowing in a milk jug method. Some things worked great, but other jugs never germinated. I never plant too much... ;)