January 28, 2016

Let the Seed Starting Commence

February promises to be warmer than usual, so sayeth those that dare forecast the weather. Which is surprising since that is usually our coldest month. And March promises to be very spring-ish, so it's time to get seed starting on.

You might wonder about freak frosts and cold snaps. We haven't gotten those since I've moved here, and if there's a warming trend generally it will continue. The year we didn't get a winter I started pepper seeds in late January and people were tilling their gardens in February. Unlike Idaho where they get freak killing freezes after Mother's Day that even killed the potatoes underground, and even farmers had to replant.

I've done some seed ordering online which has finally got my gardening mojo on. So many pretty pretty seeds. They are having a sale at Tradewind Fruit and Seeds and lots of their tomatoes are included in their sale. Woohoo. And lets just say I resisted nothing!

Our little one has been really sick with bronchitis and ear infections since before Christmas. And at the same time the 2 year molars came in. Poor baby... So we've been spending lots of quality time with the Nebulizer doing breathing treatments. The little tyke is really tired of being poked and prodded with thermometers, bulb suctioners, medicines, and tissues. 

Needless to say, gardening and seed starting has been the furthest thing from my mind. So whenever my really really excited friend starts to talk about how many seeds she's got started in her greenhouse I would balk, "Oh man, it's the middle of winter. I am not. Even remotely. There yet."

So here it is, almost February and we're supposed to get 60 degree weather this weekend. By March we should expect temperatures consistently in the 60s. So I shall be starting seeds this weekend, on the list are 6 varieties of Broccoli.

Broccoli:
Waltham
Calabrese
Arcadia (F1)
Gypsy (F1)
Green Magic (F1)

I really really want to start some Brussels sprout seeds but I have no idea when to start or plant them out for this region. Should I start them early so they get the benefit of a nice cool spring? Who knows? Because I surely don't.

9 comments:

Margaret said...

Nothing like a good round of seed purchasing to get you back in the gardening swing of things! I placed most of my orders yesterday as time was running short. Wish I could help with the Brussels sprouts, but I have no idea - they do take a long time to size up, so it sounds as if starting them now would likely be the way to go. I hope that your baby is feeling better soon - nothing wears out a household more than sick children :(

Phuong said...

Hi Margaret,
Are you looking forward to spring? You've been doing such a great in-depth analysis of last year's vegetable garden.

Thank you, our baby is getting better slowly but surly.

Margaret said...

I'm very glad to here it, Phuong. And I am SO looking forward to spring...I never fail to get excited by those first signs of green!

Dave @ HappyAcres said...

It has been warm over here in Indiana too. It's almost been shorts weather for me. I'm holding off another couple of weeks before I start broccoli, but it's time for me to get parsley, lettuce and some spring spinach and kale going. I also plan to get snap peas in the ground soon. I worked up a spot in the garden for them last fall. I don't have a clue what the weather is going to do so I am sticking to my usual schedule. And I hope your youngun feels better soon!

Phuong said...

Hi Dave,
I thought it was a little early to start broccoli as well but my friend has been pushing the idea. Having only grown broccoli for the first time last year it's all still an experiment, I'll go ahead and wait to start them with my peppers then.

Susie said...

Hi Phuong, I'm late commenting here so hoping the family is doing well at this time.

The only reason, in my area, that broccoli timing is important is because it can easily bolt in the hot humid summer weather. Although I have never been particularly successful, my best year was when I started it late for a fall harvest. Good luck with it!

Phuong said...

Hi Susie,
We have hot humid summers as well. So I'll probably try spring and fall plantings for the broccoli. Hopefully it'll all work out. :)

norma chang said...

Regarding Brussels sprouts, contact your local cooperative extension or check with your local garden centers, they should have a pretty good idea about best starting and planting out dates.

Phuong said...

Hi Norma,
That's a great idea, I'll check out the cooperative extension website.