Comments on: Gardening: Lasagna Garden III

By: shadowcook

shadowcook — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:44:17 +0000

I took the theme from among the ones offered by WordPress and applied one of my own photos. Is that what you meant?

By: Lester Chavez

Lester Chavez — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:54:58 +0000

Where did you get this wordpress theme?

By: shadowcook

shadowcook — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 23:54:41 +0000

Ok, that’s great advice. It’s super warm today, in the high 60s. I’m thinking of planting a couple of fava beans and some borlotti this weekend. We’ll see what happens!

Thanks for the warning about the rhubarb. No, I didn’t know that the leaves are poisonous. My dogs don’t chew on leaves, although I occasionally see them munch on grass, but not often. I think it will be ok.

According to friends, the problem now is that the fruit trees might begin to bud because the temps are so warm.

I do indeed pity anyone who’s stuck in the cold right now. Stay warm.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:19:00 +0000

I re-read my comment & need to clarify that cukes will be happiest direct-seeded into the ground. I think the rest of it can be started inside, in pots.

By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:17:36 +0000

Yes, I’ve heard of Seeds of Italy. I think they have a pretty good reputation. You’ll find out soon enough, eh? As far as getting things in the ground, if I were you, I’d get a copy of a good seed catalog, like Johnny’s Select Seeds, which has all kinds of good info on planting temperatures, which is really what you care about. Off the top of my head, the tomatoes and eggplant can’t be put out until night temps are above the 40s, but won’t do much until night temps are warmer than that… Cukes really can’t be started inside b/c their roots don’t like to be disturbed, so plant them outside, again when things are quite warm. Leeks, arugula and kale are all cool weather crops. You can start all of them inside, but I think they germinate at low temps, and once they are up a bit, can take low 30s. So you can probably start them soon, though the kale tastes better when it’s had cold temps at the end of it’s life, so be sure to seed some kale and arugula in the fall, so you can have it in Nov. & Dec. and actually, probably all winter.
I’ve never grown rhubarb from seed, but it’s a very hardy plant, so I’d try to get it started now, and you can plant it out whenever it has some roots. (You know that the leaves are poisonous, right? So if you have any mouthy dogs, put it where they can’t get it).

Have fun, and pity those of us living in the deep freeze!

By: shadowcook

shadowcook — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 00:06:39 +0000

In containers? Really? Maybe I’ll eventually get to that point, but at the moment I’m really looking forward to the full vegetable bed experience.

On the advice of Polly, the organic CSA gardener, I’m going to try burying a few fava bean seeds about 2 inches down in the bed furthest to the back, which gets the most sun. It’s a bush bean, so I won’t have to trellis it. And I’ve got another bush bean, borlotti beans, that I’ll plant at the same time. She advised planting in the last week of this month!

I’ve got other packets of seeds that I have to figure out when to plant. Some of them come from Seeds of Italy, the main importer of vegetable seeds from Italy. So, at the moment, I’ve got packets of seeds for:

Arugula
long purple eggplant
Radiccchio (Polly says difficult to grow)
Asian cucumbers
Leeks
Dino kale (lacinato kale; cavallo nero)
Rhubarb
and several kinds of tomatoes

It’s in the 60s today, but who knows what will happen over the next few weeks. We really badly need rain. Who knows if we’ll get it. But I’m itching to get going with the germination. Any advise about when to start germinating the seeds I’ve got?

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 18:22:37 +0000

Yes, we ARE still covered in snow. And in the midst of an Artic blast. (It was -15 F last night. A good night to be an indoor creature, for sure). It’s hideous and I’m going through my annual I Hate Winter period. I envy you your lovely, temperate winter weather.

What are you planning to grow in your beds? Have you placed your seed orders yet? I haven’t placed my seed orders yet b/c I think I’m going to rework all of my garden this year. I’m toying with the idea of growing my entire garden all in containers, so I have no weeding and can properly amend my beds, deal with my aisle problems, etc. etc….

By: shadowcook

shadowcook — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 00:53:43 +0000

Jill, I’ve got chickens in minds but not until my dogs “go off to college.” And that may not be all that long, because at 10 years old the German Shepherd is walking like she’s going to graduate within the year.

But I hope my garden turns out. The weather is pretty warm this week. I should get out there and help things along.

Are you still covered in snow?

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:00:33 +0000

“The suspense will kill me.” Very funny. I’m impressed by your lasagne gardening efforts. Can’t wait to see how it turns out…. I’m optimistic that it’s going to be good for you. Now, however, I’m thinking that you need some chickens in your backyard to make your own manure (and they give you those most excellent homegrown eggs). Of course you always have access to Sherry’s shit, but there’s nothing like your own, I always say.