Sunday, March 25, 2012

Seed Starting 2012


seed starting 3-24-11, originally uploaded by Bumble Lush.

A lot has been going on here in the last week and a half. The bad news--I broke my camera. I've dropped it many times over the years, but this last time finally did it in. It's kaput.

I have my husband's camera to record seed progress. I started my 2012 tomato seeds March 13: Mortgage lifters, Marglobes, and ground cherries. As of this past Saturday, 2 of the 4 Mortgage lifters sprouted, all 3 Marglobes sprouted, and 1 of the 3 ground cherries sprouted. I'm sad to say I probably won't be growing sunflowers this year. I'm saving those giant containers where we've grown sunflowers for the Mortgage Lifters.

Over the weekend, I also started a few more ground cherry seeds, as well as Jupiter bell peppers, Sweet Chocolate bell peppers, and alyssum. My husband, the hot pepper lover, started some pepperoncino seeds, habanero, serrano, cherry bells, and anaheim seeds. We started some pole beans too.

hydrangea 3-17

The weather these last 10 days has been hot, like summer temperatures in the high-70s to low 80s. Things cooled off a little today to cooler spring-like weather, but the heat last week jump started some plants. My hydrangeas provided a burst of green on St. Patrick's Day. It's nice to see green when it's so hot. It's a little bizarre to feel heat but still see bare trees. Many plants haven't yet caught up to the wacky weather.

So now begins Seed Watch, anxiously waiting for those little seedlings to sprout...

14 comments:

  1. My ground cherries are up but are slow growers. I bought a Heat Master tomato seedling but haven't potted it yet since it's supposed to be below freezing tomorrow night. What weird weather! All those veggies sound wonderful. Sorry about the camera. :(

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  2. Oh, no...I hate to hear that you broke your camera. It amazes me how tough they are though. My parents are heading back home to NoVa this week...they'll be happy to hear it's cooling off. I guess your seedlings will be happier with the cooler temps too so they can toughen up!

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  3. Well, this is just the opportunity for you to get a new camera! You will need it to keep a record of your great veggies! We also had some summer weather, and you are right: the plants must be confused! Most everything is trying to bloom at once, while some shrubs and trees are just beginning to put out spring foliage.

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  4. We are having the same weather in the UK it is tempting to start planting out, but then this morning a heavy ground frost. Nice to see your tomato seedling coming through.

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  5. All those chilli varieties sound great. I'm really enjoying mine this year - hope you (or your husband) do too.

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  6. My seed starting has been coming along as well. I have the cool season veggies in the ground under cover with hopes they do not freeze as temps plunge tonight to 20...ouch!! covering my 2 lilacs that are budding but everything else is at the mercy of Mother Nature...we shall seed what will be...

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  7. It's been hot here, too. Too hot! Sorry to hear about your camera. NIce that your husband has one he will let your borrow. And I'm sorry to hear you won't be growing sunflowers this year. I'm going to give them a try just because I was so impressed with yours last year! Good luck with your seeds.

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  8. Sorry about your camera. You are definitely ahead of me with veggies. I don't usually start them since space and light are limited indoors. I will probably buy some lettuce starts and sow peas when I get back to the States.

    Yael

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  9. Very nice setup you have there! I'm also trying ground cherries this year, for the first time.

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  10. Rats! I'm sorry to hear that you broke your camera..So glad that your husband had one on hand so that you could keep it going.. Can't wait to see what the ground cherries look like.. I'm trying to play catch up with everyone... I'm not gone just tied up.

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  11. I started some Brandywine and roma
    tomatoes from seed this year because of you and keep eyeing the teddy bear sunflower seeds because yours were so cute, but it's too early to plant those. :)

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  12. It is definitely nice to see refreshing greenery especially during warm weather. Being in the lawn maintenance Phoenix industry, it is great to see plants that make the surroundings cooler than it looks like.

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  13. Sorry to hear about the camera =( Thank goodness for backups! Your sprouts look soooo good! I cant wait to see mine finally do likewise. your pics give me hope!! Also your Hy is looking very healthy, can't wait to see it in bloom! Cheers Julia

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  14. Looks like a new camera is on the horizon for you. Glad to see your sprouts are coming along. I'm a hot peppers lover too. Have lots in the germination process, but not many have sprouted. Good luck, I'll be following your progress.

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