Branching Out's Seeds and Sprouts

[Branching Out]

On March 11th I presprouted some chickpeas indoors by soaking them for about 8 hours before placing them on a saucer with a damp cloth and a second saucer on top of them. After three days the seeds that had the strongest germination were placed in 2" soil blocks, and the seeds that were slower to take off went into slightly smaller soil blocks. After just six days in the soil blocks some green shoots started breaking through the soil. This was a very good sign, as last year I had too much moisture in my potting soil and many of my chickpea seeds rotted.

On March 24th I planted them all out and then covered them with my little 'chuckwagon' tunnel which is basically hoops with agricultural fleece to temper the wind and add a few degrees of warmth. I was wide-eyed when I saw the roots that had developed after just 10 days in a soil block. One in particular was over 6" long. I avoided purchasing soil blocking tools for several years and I must say that I am beyond sold on them now. The roots are able to grow unencumbered with lots of air, and the results are impressive.

 

[Branching Out]

A few hours of dry weather today provided just enough time to get a few more peas in the ground. They are germinating after just two days on a plate at room temperature, which surprised me. Figured I had better get them in the ground before the radical gets too long.

I gave some Alaska Pea seeds to a neighbour for her garden, and one bunch of them were forgotten about in her basement for 10 days. I could not believe my eyes when she sent me the photo.

Despite living on a plate they looked fabulous. I suggested that she plant them, so we can compare results with peas that were planted as soon as the radical started to swell. You never know. Maybe she has discovered a new way to plant peas!

 

[Branching Out]

Today was spent starting mini soil blocks of mid-season tomatoes, which turned out to be quite time consuming. The organizational part is intense; after this year I think it will be much easier, now that I am developing a system of sorts.

While I was at it I sowed mini soil blocks with the late season storage tomato seeds as well. I will freeze the tray for about 10 days, and then bring it out so the seeds can germinate.

I counted, and I am trying to grow over 60 different varieties of tomatoes this year. There are about 20 early or dwarf tomatoes, 20 mid-season, and 20 late season--- so a nice balance. But pretty nuts just the same. Even I am starting to think that I might be crazy!!

 

[digitS']

Wow, Branching Out, I have had 60 tomato plants in the garden before but never 60 varieties!

I also had a way to sell them for $. So, we weren't having to find uses for all they produce at home. Are you where you can set up a stand or join a farmers' market? Turn them over to a food bank? There will be heavy buckets to carry. ID-ing them for customers would probably be a drag but combination baskets segregated by size would likely make a dazzling display .

Tomatoes can be fairly low-maintenance if disease or pests don't move it. They take up quite a bit of room but are somewhat competitive with the weeds. It sure would be fun to see them and have those choices!

Steve

 

[heirloomgal]

When you say storage tomatoes, do you mean the long keeper types like Giallo a Grappoli or Mystery Keeper? I've always wanted to try growing some of those.

Your 60 different varieties sounds wonderful! It is great to be able to compare varieties like that, you really learn about the nuances of each one in a way you couldn't without growing them the same year. So fun!

 

[Branching Out]

Well Steve, 60 varieties will be a whole new world for me this year. I clearly did not put a lot of thought I to how many seeds that I ordered, but the split turned out okay in spite of my lack of planning. There are three gardens that I can place the plants in, including our place plus the gardens of two benevolent neighbours. I am quite excited to try 'dry-land farming' several varieties, to see how that pans out. It may or may not work; definitely worth a try though, and it will be low-maintenance once the plants are in the ground.

So far my goal of learning how to grow extra-early tomatoes is looking promising, and that is a real spirit lifter. Figuring out which cultivars will ripen late in the season and produce storage tomatoes for winter for us is next on my list of challenges.

 

[Branching Out]

When you say storage tomatoes, do you mean the long keeper types like Giallo a Grappoli or Mystery Keeper? I've always wanted to try growing some of those.

Your 60 different varieties sounds wonderful! It is great to be able to compare varieties like that, you really learn about the nuances of each one in a way you couldn't without growing them the same year. So fun!

You must be clairvoyant! Mystery Keeper and Giallo a Grappoli are indeed two of the varieties that I sowed today. I will try to do a debrief at the end of the season if possible, to see which varieties performed well here.

My theory is that winter storage tomatoes or drying tomatoes may benefit from a little less watering than what is typical, in order to concentrate their flavours. That will be my approach.

 

[heirloomgal]

Wow! Haha, can't believe of all the ones I might have named I picked the ones you're growing!

Oooh, I'm so curious to see how you like those. My friend Mandy at Mandy's Greenhouse has grown a lot of those over the years, she really likes them and has a significant collection of that type. She posted pics of her 2022 batch a few weeks ago, they were orange on the outside and pinkish red inside. They still looked pretty juicy even though it was March!

I don't know why I haven't tried them yet, I should. Almost everyone here loves tomatoes. You've inspired me for next year!

 

[Crealcritter]

Your thread is like motivation to me. Thanks for posting pictures.

Jesus is Lord and Christ

 

[Branching Out]

A friend was downsizing, and offered us a tall shelf storage unit. It took a few hours (there was a lot of cleaning and decluttering involved), but now we have it tucked in next to the grow lights. It will hold nursery trays, little pots for bumping up starts, and all of my soil blocking trays. Right across from it is a small table that has become Seed Starting Central. While it is kind of an industrial setting next to the hot water tank and boiler, it's a really pleasant spot where I can sit and listen to the radio while puttering with my plants.