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Optimism

July 16th, 2012

optimism [op-tuh-miz-uhm] noun – a disposition or tendency to look on the more favorable side of events or conditions and to expect the most favorable outcome.

I’m an optimistic person. Mr Chiots are planning our big move in mid-September, which is too late for planting a fall/winter garden. Not being one to discount it because of the move, I am starting a few flats of seeds with hopes of being able to make a trip up to the new place sometime in late July or early August to plant my fall crops.

What did I start?
Leeks: Bleu of Solaise, Tadorna, Carentan
Kale: Lacinato, Toscano, Red Russian, Winterbor
Brussels Sprouts: Long Island Improved
Cabbage: Tete Noire, Perfection Drumhead Savoy, Pixie
Broccoli: Purple Peacock, Waltham,
Cauliflower: Giant of Naples, Snowball
Radicchio: Casteldefranco Libra, Rossa di Verona Dragon


Will I get up there? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. If I do make it up I’ll have a few flats of seedlings that I can plant. Will the plants survive without me? Who knows, maybe, maybe not. When I was debating whether to plant the seeds or not, I figured I had nothing to lose. A few dollars in seeds and a half hour of my time. If I don’t make it to Maine before our move, I’ll take them and plant them in a low tunnel to see what happens. I figured I have nothing to lose!

Have you started your fall/winter garden yet?

23 Comments to “Optimism”
  1. KimH on July 16, 2012 at 6:09 am

    That is indeed optimistic.. Hope it works for you..

    I’ve thought about it.. but thats all. I need to get some brussels sprouts started. Thats about as far as Im going to go with fall/winter plantings with the exception of garlic much later on.

    Reply to KimH's comment

  2. Mich on July 16, 2012 at 6:33 am

    Fingers crossed for you :)

    I have leeks growing in my seed bed, various calabrase, purple sprouting, sprouts & cabbages planted out.
    Have just pricked out some early purple sprouting, Hispi & jersey wakefield cabbage seedlings.
    Will be planting more onions to overwinter for sure as have found them very useful in the ‘onion gap’.

    Of course if it doesnt stop blooming raining here in the UK maybe a paddy field will be my next plot!!

    Reply to Mich's comment

  3. jennifer fisk on July 16, 2012 at 7:14 am

    I was thinking about it last evening. Probably in another week, I’ll start some kale, spinach and maybe broccoli. When you are on the head end of a summer’s harvest, it is hard to think ahead to what should be in a late season planting. I still have peas coming on but the corn is tasseled.
    You can easily justify a trip with the seedlings by bringing a load of your things to Maine. Plan your move so you can go to the Common Ground Country Fair in Unity Sept 21,22 and 23. You will be so close to it.

    Reply to jennifer fisk's comment

    • Susy on July 16, 2012 at 8:00 am

      We are planning our move for the week before the fair so we can come (we’re already getting pestered about volunteering for the fair and to each a class at the fair – maybe next year). We have a friend that’s planning on helping us move and she too is super excited about the fair.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • jennifer fisk on July 16, 2012 at 7:21 pm

        It is not to be missed.

        to jennifer fisk's comment

  4. Kelly H. on July 16, 2012 at 7:48 am

    I’d like to, but my biggest problem is I don’t have a garden bed to plant in (new house). With all this heat, I’m disinclined to go out digging one just yet. Maybe once the heat breaks, though. I do *have* hopes for something big and glorious and garden-y.

    Reply to Kelly H.'s comment

    • Susy on July 16, 2012 at 9:58 am

      You can at least get your seeds started and then they’ll be ready to go when the garden bed is!

      Reply to Susy's comment

  5. daisy on July 16, 2012 at 8:18 am

    I love your optimism! I say it will all be a smashing success!

    We are starting tomato and eggplant seeds this week and getting our pumpkins started. It’s still to hot for fall planting here.

    Would you care to share your seed starting mix recipe?

    Reply to daisy's comment

    • Susy on July 16, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • daisy on July 16, 2012 at 2:36 pm

        Thanks for the recipe. Do you have any concern with using peat moss, as there is some debate about it being renewable?

        to daisy's comment

      • Susy on July 16, 2012 at 7:28 pm

        Actually I don’t, I’ve tried using coconut coir without success and the fact that it’s shipped over from halfway around the world doesn’t make it much better in my mind. I’ve heard conflicting stories about peat and am not sure which to believe, I suppose like most things the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

        to Susy's comment

  6. Songbirdtiff on July 16, 2012 at 8:55 am

    I hope it all works out for you, it certainly doesn’t hurt to try! Having something of your own in the ground when you move would be one giant step toward the new place feeling homey. I can’t wait to see it!

    Reply to Songbirdtiff's comment

  7. Nebraska Dave on July 16, 2012 at 9:43 am

    Susy, I think it’s great you are already gardening in Maine even though it’s only in your mind and you’re not there yet. Gardening is all about trying new things and experimentation, don’t you think? Much of my planning never works but it’s fun trying to get new things to work. I wish you all the luck with Maine gardening. I’m sure there will be a learning curve for the new garden zone. What zone will you be in Maine?

    Have a great day in the garden.

    Reply to Nebraska Dave's comment

    • Susy on July 16, 2012 at 10:00 am

      Same zone we’re in here, though the summer heat is a little lower.

      Reply to Susy's comment

      • jennifer fisk on July 16, 2012 at 8:46 pm

        And spring starts a little later and fall a little sooner. By the time the Common Ground Fair weekend happens, you’ll be having frosty nights.

        to jennifer fisk's comment

  8. sarah on July 16, 2012 at 10:36 am

    I moved from NYC to Austin in May, and I flew down in March and April and started a bunch of things from seed. By the time I got here I already had 2 watermelons and some squash… it can be done.

    Reply to sarah's comment

  9. Sherri on July 16, 2012 at 10:55 am

    Good for you! I would have done the VERY same thing :) When we moved to this acreage 3 years ago, I was pulling every last edible piece of produce out of my garden on the day of the move… I had BOXES of produce in my new fridge, but no milk or any other food for that matter, LOL!

    Reply to Sherri's comment

  10. Maybelline on July 16, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    Pumpkins and beans are in.

    Reply to Maybelline's comment

    • Maybelline on July 17, 2012 at 12:27 am

      Your recent post regarding mustard inspired me to search a little further. It seems it helps to grow with peas. That is a sweet solution to a nematode problem. Thanks.

      Reply to Maybelline's comment

  11. Rick on July 17, 2012 at 12:05 am

    It’s time to start thinking towards fall. I have a few seeding growing under light right now and I will be starting quite a bit outside this week!!

    Reply to Rick's comment

  12. Rocky on July 17, 2012 at 3:16 pm

    Great to hear that you are coming to Maine. This is my first time to moment, but I have always enjoyed your blog and photo. We live not to far away from where you are moving to, and we also did move from Ohio with dogs and cats, many years ago. Winter comes early here in Maine, I planted my fall cole crops almost a month ago. You may find this planting calendar from MOFGA useful. http://www.mofga.org/Publications/ArticlesforReprinting/OrderSeeds/tabid/1056/Default.aspx

    Reply to Rocky's comment

    • Susy on July 17, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      Thanks, I know I should have planted them a while ago, I’m sure things like kale will still do well, who knows about the other crops.

      Reply to Susy's comment

  13. jules on July 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm

    Down here in Lower Alabama, it’s time to start planting our fall and winter gardens. We’ve got tomato cuttings from our spring tomatoes in cups rooting, and planted some peppers that would rather grow in the fall. We’ll get ready with the kale and greens soon.

    Reply to jules's comment

About

This is a daily journal of my efforts to cultivate a more simple life, through local eating, gardening and so many other things. We used to live in a small suburban neighborhood Ohio but moved to 153 acres in Liberty, Maine in 2012.

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