Seedlings not Sprouting

Some of my seedlings aren't sprouting: Rudbekia Triloba, Jupiter's Distaff, Marigolds and Tomatoes. I think the temperature has not been high enough. I have reseeded today and also tried a different location. Hopefully this will do the trick.

First Day of Spring

The spring equinox has finally arrived!

Is it so small a thing
To have enjoy'd the sun,
To have lived light in the spring,
To have loved, to have thought, to have done?

Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) English poet, critic Empedocles on Etna."

Sprouts and Herbs

Magneta Mountain Orach










Peas!



Artichoke - Green Globe



Chives, Rosemary and Italian Parsley

Garlic Scapes!

Garlic: Susan Delafield's, Persian Star and a few delicious unknowns we picked up from a roadside stand on our way through the Okanagan last summer.

Someone please tell me why BC grocery stores only supply garlic from China when we have beautiful local stuff right in our own province? !!!!

Signs of Spring

Daffodils!











Purple Alliums: Globemaster, Gigantum and Sensation
























Nectarine

Arugula Update

Ok. January is waaaaay to early to plant Arugula indoors without the assistance of grow lights. Of course, I knew this already; but for some strange reason I just had to give it a try anyways. The arugula sprouted within 48 hours and within the week the seedling were almost 3 inches high! Sadly, I had to turn them all under and admit defeat. Having said that, late February is not too late in the lower mainland to plant it outdoors in a raised bed; I planted some outdoors around Feb 21 and I notice they've finally sprouted. Ahh, spring is finally near!

Planting Peas

All that snow we've had for the last couple of weeks is finally gone! So, I was actually able to get the first sowing of peas planted yesterday. I made a trellis of sorts for them from that dreaded bamboo plant at the back of the yard (at least it's good for something). I also threw in some leftover sweet peas from a few years back, (probably 5) so I'll just have to wait and see if they even germinate. Beans, tomatoes and lettuce are planned for the bed along the fence in the background. The soil still has to be tilled and amended, which my "helper" will be assisting with in the next month or so.

The birds have also started arriving. I saw a woodpecker a couple of days ago - too bad no pic. Yesterday, I also heard the first "Nelson" bird. Never knowing its true name, ever since I was a kid I have woken up many a spring and summer morning to the distint and familiar sound of this bird. Sean and I have been calling it the "Nelson" bird for years because its call sounds just like Nelson, the character from the Simpsons, when he's taunting Bart - "Nah ha!" It's a strange, lone "songbird." Only a single bird can ever be heard over top of the many other chirping chickadees and finches. My sister Naida tells me its true name is a Tow-Hee? Not sure of the spelling. Maybe I'll try looking it up on the net. Apparently our Dad, who loved birds, told her this many years ago.

Arugula in January?

I was outside trying to tidy up the messy shed when I got distracted. In my impatience for spring to come I thought I'd try planting some arugula in a pot up on the deck. I also threw in a few "sweet reds & greens" seeds. I've got the pot inside by the window right now to hopefully aid germination. It just started snowing heavily so I'm really not too optimistic about this experiment, but you never know, right?

No matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. ~Proverb

Seed List

I was at the garden center today and almost bought a few more seeds but was able to contain myself. Purchased some inoculant for the peas and beans instead. I think I'll try and experiment and plant a few without the inoculant as well and see what happens.















Here's a list of some of the seeds I have for planting - way too many to list all of them.

Lettuce: Arugula, Mesclun, Cracoviensis, Drunken Woman, Forellunschluss, Rene's Green and Red Romaines, Italian Red Parella, a mix of Sweet Greens and Reds.

Peas: Champion of England and some leftover Gusto Italia

Bush Beans: Roma Improved, Slenderette, Dragon Tongue, Tanya's Pink Pod

Pole Beans: Tricolor - green, yellow and purple

Onion: Scallions (green and red), Scottish Leek, Sperling Toga Onion

Carrot: Romeo, Nantes, and a mix of red, purple, yellow and white carrots

Tomato: Russian 117, Hillbilly, Green Zebra, Paul Robeson, Amish Salad.

Beets: Red, Golden and Chiogga

For the Winter Garden:

Broccoli: Romanesco, Purple Sprouting, Di Ciccio

Brussel Sprouts: Long Island Improved

White Stemmed Pak Choy

Magenta Mountain Orach

I'll also replant some Arugula, Cracoviensis, Mesclun and Forellenschluss as most of these will do well in the cold.

Ok. So I've gone completely out of control with ordering seeds. This shoe box is crammed full and I'm still waiting for a few more packets to come from Baker Creek - mostly stuff for next year's winter garden. Purple sprouting broccoli, cabbage, dinosaur kale, and kohlrabi. I know, I know. Start small they say; otherwise, you're just asking for failure. I just couldn't help myself. There's so much too chose from and so many exciting varieties you'll never see in the grocery store! Plus, I got some really great deals. Tons of Rene's open pollinated, untreated, heirloom seeds for just 99 cents per package. These normally run $3.99 each. My tomatoe seeds from Tomatofest are about 3 - 4 years old. I'm a little worried about how well they'll germinate. They're supposed to be good for 5 years, so hopefully they'll be fine.

6 more weeks and I can start planting peas, lettuce and spring onions. I can hardly wait!