So here we are at the eve of February 1. The light is really starting to change, it is up earlier and now we don’t have to do barn chores so early because at 5:30 it is still light. What a blessed thing that is. Now my gardening fun begins. Seed sowing! One of my most favorite tasks, watching the smallest little seed sprout in a matter of days, and in a few months create such beauty. I have always enjoyed working with seeds, back in the days of the old Woodman’s I would be sowing seeds up in the old seed shed at the top of the hill, In CT I was in charge of all seedling production from calculating starting dates to transplanting dates to getting them on the shelves dates. In Australia I was also sowing seeds, from seasonal color to Australian native seed, so seed work and I go W-A-Y back.
I am going to try something new this spring. I have been studying and I am going to have a go at sowing a trial batch of cool flowers. I will sow them tomorrow to be planted out in the garden around March 15 and we will see how it goes. I was looking at old photos of the gardens and lot of snow is already gone. Although I have no control over the amount of snow in the gardens, I can melt a bed with black plastic, and warm the soil enough to get the seedlings in. It will be mid March so it should be doable. Wouldn’t it be really great to have early stock, snaps and larkspur to go along with the spring bulbs? Talk about a spring bouquet!
I am trying a new seeding method this year as well just to challenge myself some more. I am going to try soil blocking. Here Ivan is posing with the soil blocker.
This is supposed to speed up the whole seeding process. Each block gets one seed, and there will be no more transplanting out into 806s, the little six pac’s that you buy at the nursery. Not only is this to speed up the process but it is supposed to make stronger seedlings because the growing medium is better, but I will also be eliminating plastic which is even better. Although I do recycle the cells pacs every year it sure would be good not to have to use them at all.
Also to be started tomorrow are the ranunculas and anemone’s. They didn’t get very good care at the end of their season last spring so I am not sure how they will do, to be completely honest.
But I figure nothing ventured, nothing gained. If they don’t show any swelling after being soaked for a few hours, I more than likely won’t bother to plant them. The really sad part is when I went to order some last fall they were sold out. That would be such a real shame because they were so early and so beautiful. Follow the blog to see how thing are going. I will be more organized this year, or I will try to be more organized.
The good news? I still have some dahlias that are looking OK. I am checking them weekly now. It will be interesting how many dahlias will be sold out when I go to put my order in this week. Lots of growers that are selling their tubers are sold out in a matter of hours after going online, so I will be making my list tonight and placing it during the snow we are supposed to be getting on Tuesday.
If you know of anyone who would be interested in locally, sustainably and lovingly grown flowers have them send me their email and I will get them on the blog and newsletter list. There is always room for more flower lovers. They can send me their address at flowersatlottarock@gmail.com and I will get them on the mailing list. Spring is coming and I don’t want anyone to miss out. Anything else? Ahhh, I will leave you with this last photo to whet your appetite of beauty to come.
Until next week. Allie