Branching Out's Seeds and Sprouts

[Branching Out]

New 3' LED is now in place, hanging from the rafters above the tallest of the tomato and pepper plants. I suspect that this temporary set-up will be in place for a month or so. As soon as it's warm enough they will get planted out, and I will get my laundry room back.

 

[digitS']

12C(53F)

I am thinking about differences in climate from one side of the mountain to the other, Branching Out.

I checked climate information and the average overnight temperature will not reach that level here until the final days of June. I do know that some Rocky Mountain gardeners will wait until 1 July to move tomatoes to their outdoor locations. Start late, keep sheltered late, set out. It's somewhat surprising to me that it works for them. However, those same gardeners will pull their plants in the Fall and hang them where they are sheltered from freezing while waiting for fruit to ripen .

Elsewhere, @heirloomgal was expressing the opinion that "cold temperature" fruit set for some varieties was overstated by seed companies. I suspect that is true. In my own experience, following the 2 week after last frost guideline, I'm nearly always disappointed in the serious lag in early growth. Transplant shock? Sure, but the characteristic overight cooling at this elevation has quite a lot to do with it.

Lower elevation and Higher humidity in your location would mean limited gain in warmth through the day. Sorta opposite but equivalent conditions ...

Steve

 

[Branching Out]

The sun has returned, so thankfully ALL of the big tomatoes are outside again. If it dries up I hope to get out there myself too; don't want to be digging in cold wet soil. In the mean time I was able to harvest a big bowl of lettuce, which became lunch for me and the bunny. And while I was in the vegetable garden I did a double take at the Cardinale lettuce that I planted out in late March. It is gorgeous, like a rose. Almost too pretty to eat. I can hardly wait to collect seed from it, for sharing.

 

[Branching Out]

Had the opportunity to bring a tray of Rhumba nasturtium seedlings to my young friend's Girl Guide session, as part of a Mother's Day craft. The girls did a great job decorating the flower pots and planting the seedlings. I did well too-- the girls all signed a thank you card for me, and they gave me a box of Girl Guide cookies too!

 

[Branching Out]

Has anyone ever grown Cardinal Climber Vine? It's a first for me. Funky leaves!

 

[Branching Out]

First time chopping down my Winter Rye for home grown mulch; very satisfying. I am using it to mulch one of my garlic patches as we have a hot stretch coming.

 

[Branching Out]

Today and tomorrow we will be breaking heat records in the Vancouver, B.C. area with forecast highs of 33C(91F). My husband and I spent a few hours yesterday installing shade cloth for the garlic, peas, and raspberries. A while back a friend offered us a huge 4' wide roll of burlap and I am so glad that I took it because it works GREAT as a light weight vertical or horizontal wall to shade the plants. Air still flows through it, but it is noticeably cooler when you stand with it between you and the sun. Sure, the garden looks a bit funny with the light brown burlap walls swaying in the breeze-- but it will be worth it if it keeps the plants cooler. Apparently air temperatures of 33C can trigger drying down in garlic, and if that happens I could lose my whole crop--so I am not taking any chances. I will be watering them midday to keep them feeling fresh, and I have mulched all of the beds with either leaves, Winter Rye clippings, hay, or compost. One flower bed is being shaded by tall branches from a pink dogwood tree that came down in a wind storm. There is a strong likelihood that we will be reusing the burlap over and over during the course of the summer if we get a year like last year with no rain for four months.

My carrot seedlings are getting watered twice a day, and during the hottest part of the afternoon I am covering them with open pizza boxes. Pizza boxes are very good for shading seed beds, because when you open them up and place them face down there is a cool, shady air pocket. They make good 'pup tent' style covers for lettuce as well when placed over the plants to form an A-frame. The neighbours all know me, and no longer bat an eye when my yard fills up with strange items like pizza boxes-- although they will still ask 'What are you doing?' in the nicest possible way. What my garden lacks in aesthetics it makes up for in benefiting the plants and the environment. And if all goes well I will have lots of garlic and carrots for sharing.

 

[heirloomgal]

Has anyone ever grown Cardinal Climber Vine? It's a first for me. Funky leaves!

Yes, such a pretty deep red color! Wait till you see the true frond-ish leaves they have, so tropical.

Your garden is so beautiful!

 

[Branching Out]

Yes, such a pretty deep red color! Wait till you see the true frond-ish leaves they have, so tropical.

Your garden is so beautiful!

Tropical frond-ish leaves sound exciting. I will try to bump them up tomorrow, to get them off to a good start.

 

[flowerbug]

oh wow, would that be a not-so-fun thing to do here with those likely just ending up getting blown away.

as for lack of rains it is same here too recently, i'll have to water the garlic and strawberries this morning.