Planting from seed

[firefly]

So I've only had my garden for a year and a half now, so this will be my second planting. I managed to save some seeds from last year, mostly bell pepper and tomato, but green beans as well. Not bad for a first year, I thought.

When it came time to start them I was mildly horrified by what was recommended; special seed starting mix, baked to kill any pathogens. I was a bit too cheap to do that, so I jsut took soil from my garden -- heavy clay with a thin coat of imported topsoil -- and mixed in some sand. I had a Burpee seed starting kit, so I used that. 

By all accounts, all the seeds should have failed. lo and behold, I had about 80% germination rate! a few didn't come up, and I accidentally killed a few as I transferred to bigger pots. All in all I have about 6 bell peppers, three tomatos, two cucumbers, a couple peas (that I think might die before I can plant them out).

The onions were a bust; I think they're too big to start in the cells I did. only one of the eight came up and it died quickly. the peas were a mess, trailing everywhere; I'll start them in their own pot next time. 

This year's goal: cucumber seeds, making pickles and tomato sauce if possible. 

Keep in mind my garden is only 8x4, so I'll only have room for eight tall plants. I plan on having 1x8' all to carrots, my favorite vegetable (after potatoes of course!)

Anyone have any stories about seed starting or tips for this newbie?

[papaof2]

Sounds like you're doing well with limited space. You can probably research "germination of saved seed" online to get typical success rates but 80% is probably good.

Although having everything "just right" might help, people have survived for centuries on seeds that grow in their local dirt ;-)

My outlook is that whatever grows to produce seed in a given soil will likely start from seed in that same soil. Add proper quantities of sun, rain and fertilizer if available. The Native Americans buried a couple of fish with corn kernels so they would grow. That might be a good use for some of the trash birds we have locally ;-)

[freebirde]

Peas and onions do better planted directly into the garden. If you grow the cucumbers up on a trellis, you will have more room and they will be easier to harvest.

[firefly]

Thanks! I figured as much, but my onions last year tried to uproot themselves. I forgot to add that I have a 3x3x3' compost bin, though nowhere near enough material to fill it! and it's composting, but stinks like ammonia. I mixed in more paper so we'll see. I refuse to be bested my micro-organisms -- I will get my compost one way or another!

ETA: once I have time to fish, I plan to throw the guts/ fish carcasses into the center of my compost pile, is I don't use it for leech/crayfish traps. that'll bring some calcium and nitrogen to the garden for sure!

[freebirde]

Don't put animal waste in the compost, bury it directly in the garden, at least a foot to foot and a half down so as to not attack scavengers. The ammonia smell means it needs more air and less water. Watch out for people putting out yard waste to put in your pile, careful of the ones that use a lot of chemicals. Since you mentioned "leech/crayfish traps" I am going to guess there is a bayou nearby. Spanish moss will add carbon and air channels to your compost.

[firefly]

I'm quite a bit further north, but I've been assured that there are crayfish and leech in abundance. I don't know about the leeches, but I know crayfish for sure are. I worked in more shredded paper, the only ready source of carbon I had, and wetted it a bit. storms are incoming, so didn't want to do more than that. Next year I'm going to think it through a bit more, because I could have kept stalks from the ornamental grasses or more leaves. instead my pile is mostly grass clippings, shredded paper and maybe 5% shredded leaves and pulled weeds. I'll be able to add a 4" layer to my garden though, so if nothing else it'll help deal with the clay. I'm going to try a worm bin around the beginning of May, so if all else fails I can slowly work it through the bins.

[seraphima]

I buy potting soil at the end of the season from WalMart or other stores, and keep it in the basement potting area. Because our soil temps are so cold here for so long, most seeds are better started inside. Some, like celery, onions, and parsley, need and early start, hence the use of a soil mix in February, when the soil is much too cold to dig.
Most seeds germinate when the SOIL is around 70 degrees F; the soil here never reaches that. (SW Alaska) Starting seeds inside is a season extender, for sure.

[remembergoliad]

Apr 16, 2017 19:44:50 GMT -6 firefly said:

...I'm going to try a worm bin around the beginning of May...

So did you give the worms a try? How'd THAT go?

I managed to freeze my dang worms, I think. No activity after a couple of days in the upper 20's and lows near 20. Too small of a worm bin for them to have enough insulation to stay warm enough, I think. Going bigger this spring.

Worms like 50-70 degrees. At least that's what I've heard from my local worm guru.

I've been saving scraps since new years and they should have a real all-you-can-eat buffet by the time I get their new home put together.

[eyeseetwo]

We use one third compost, one sixth fish meal, one third horse manure, one sixth bone meal for our mix when we transplant starts from seed we have saved or purchased. Gardening to the norms of your region are key. We talked with long time successful local gardeners before we began out garden.

I planted Hopi blue flour corn and sweet corn today. I will post pics when they come up. Cooler weather than normal for this time of year.