Monday, April 08, 2013

Beginning of 2013 Season

On March 16th, 2013, the annual seed-planting ritual began, with 5 trays planted. 38 varieties of tomatoes, plus cabbages, capsicums, parsley, aubergine, and celery. It is always a big day for me, I look forward to the seeds every year, as a ritual of Earthly renewal.

I planted by the moon. On March 16th, it had just begun to wax from a new moon. The little seeds responded by promptly germinating and popping up out of the good soil. I planted up to 10 seeds per variety, because I'm giving away some plants to neighbors. I can also sell the extras in town. Last year I also tried astrological gardening, but it failed miserably. I made it too involved, worrying about the signs and stuff. Really, using just the moon fullness or lack thereof, is the best way to go. KISS - Keep it Simple, Stupid.

We have had a colder than normal Spring so far. The soil has just gotten up into the low 40's F in temperature, when it should be around the mid-fifties. It is also too wet to till it. Usually we till on or about April 15th. The onion plants from Dixondale Farms in Texas, are absolutely gorgeous this year. And they sit, waiting, in my refrigerator, set at 50 degrees F, along with all my seed potatoes. Gotta keep them all in stasis, dormant.

I can't warm them up and chit them yet. I can't predict yet, when I will till for planting, and chitting is 2 weeks prior to that, indoors. Chitting means to warm the tubers up, and allow the eyes to grow into little shoots, in sunshine to keep them stubby. I also have to cut some larger tubers up, and dust them with sulfur, and then let them dry for a day to prevent rot from setting in when planted. I usually do this in my living room of the house.  it makes a mess, and takes up lots of room, but I don't have any other suitable space.

I will take some pictures today, as I plant more seeds in the cellar. I have a big setup with a 1000 watt HPS grow light, on a rail, above a 8 foot long planting bench with heat mats for 8 flats at a time, and room for about 15 flats total on the bench. The plant light moves back and forth over the flats on the motorized rail. The cellar room temperature is about 62 degrees.