Seed Time

My little peaceful sanctuary. 

In my bedroom.

I'm slower than usual. I get about one tray planted a day.

Trouble in the Barnyard!

The Trouble Maker... or, at least, He's one of them... 

First off, no one wants our rooster.

I put him on freecycle and there are no bites!

Yesterday we cornered him and put him in a separate pen but that doesn't solve much since he's trapped in the room where the feed is stored. 

James won't be feeding chickens with him around.

I can guarantee you!

Second, we managed to identify the egg eater.

Yes, we have an egg eater. 

She stands over the other hens waiting for them the lay and eats the whole egg so fast there's no sign there ever was an egg. 

I watched her for awhile then locked her out of the barn.

Later came back to find eggs in the nest boxes, but it was late afternoon

so after collecting the eggs we opened the barn door and she went straight back in and I found her once again standing over a hen eating the just laid egg. 

Now she is locked away.

We're on a roll....

There's good news in the barnyard, too.

My BEES survived the winter!!!

 YAY!

Isn't it amazing how it was winter 

and the next day it was spring?

The robins are back.

The bird songs in the morning are incredible.

Everything is springing to life.

Seed Order DAY!

It's 60 degrees out in the sun and it makes one feel like spring is here! 

Must be time to plant. Only it isn't yet. 

I can't plant for two weeks or we'll end up with spindly plants wishing away the spring. 

I just checked my seed supplies and was amazed to find I had used up nearly 

EVERY tomato seed I ordered last year.
Just placed the 2013 order.
So excited for those seeds to arrive.

There are a few types that I tried last year that I will not be repeating. 

I will not be planting a fancy variety of heirloom seeds.

Those just did not work out so well for us. 

They crack, and are weird shapes, colors and textures.

In short, they don't sell well.

I'm expanding my Roma Varieties.

They don't sell to markets but friends will can them.

I plan to charge a little for my canners this time around.

I ended up giving away way too many tomatoes last year.

We've weeded out the grape and cherry varieties over the past few years to three we like best:

cupid

sugary

nugget

On the advice of friends we are trying a new cucumber for the greenhouse.

Socrates ~ from Johnny's select seed.

I'll let you know how that turns out.

Can't wait to get started!!

No Place to Step

It's almost time to burst out of the greenhouse!

Every available space has been used.

Every time we sell a few plants 

we fill up the space with more plants in bigger pots.

I'm having a problem with my cucumber plants rotting off at the roots.
Not sure if it is a fungus problem,
or what.

They Grew

I prayed over my tomato plants yesterday and when I went to tuck them into bed I couldn't believe how much they had grown. There was perfect growing temps yesterday and I didn't let anyone open the greenhouse door and let our heat out. The growth is amazing.

Behind?

I'm a tad concerned that my tomatoes are behind. What I have to go on is last year's photos and dates on this blog. I know I planted a week later, but I'm wondering if my potting soil is not as good as the soil I used last year? The plants don't look as vigorous.

BUT then,

last year I was keeping the plants in the house.

This year they are in the greenhouse even with no heat. I watch the temps like a hawk. The last few nights have been in the 40's at night. The plants are covered with a frost free blanket and protected by the greenhouse. There were a few nights that it was in the thirties, which is very cold for tomatoes.

The cucumbers look right on target, though and there is nothing being done differently for them.

The tomatoes have a purple tinge... which I had last year, but a bit later than this year.

On the other hand, we have seedlings up in the garden sooner than last year :-)

April's Offerings

 

 

The Progression of Things

 

Told Christina to get set to sell tomato plants for her fund raiser.

I planted a few too many seeds. 

Like maybe over 300 tomatoes....

Those tiny little seeds don't seem like much when you are planting.

Greenhouse Improvement Day!!

 So thankful Steve could help me out and solve our 

river-in-the-middle-of-the-greenhouse 

problem.

Tomatoes and Cucumbers

 The greenhouse is great during the day, but I can't trust it to be warm enough at night for my tomatoes and cucumbers, so all the seedlings are in our bedroom. 

We obviously struggle to get enough light. 

Last year at this time I had the seedlings in little pots,

 but I think we are not behind much.

The dining room has better lighting but we have a thirteen month old on the prowl

and nothing is safe without a door or gate to keep him out.