Stratifying Seeds
A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had a seed starting winter project in the works. This past week I started the process of soaking and stratifying various seeds. They were soaked for the allotted amount of time and now they are all tucked into little plastic containers in the fridge for 21-60 days depending on variety.
I like to use these small rectangular containers that I get feta cheese in. Everything is labeled with variety, days soaked, date it was put into the fridge, and number of days it needs cold treatments. The date to remove each variety is marked on my calendar so I don’t forget anything in the back of the fridge.
These will all be ready to go into little pots when I start other seeds in a few months, perfect timing. I’m really looking forward to this process, I hope I have decent germination rates, especially for the hardy cedar of lebanon!
Have you ever stratified seeds in the fridge?
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Winter Activities for the Gardener
I appreciate living in a climate where I have 3-4 months of winter in which gardening outdoors is pretty much impossible without a greenhouse. While I spend a lot of time reading about gardening during the winter months, I still want to get my hands in the soil and nurture plants. What is a gardener to do? Attempt to start interesting plants from seed.
This year I have a few interesting things to try, most exciting is the Cedar of Lebanon seeds along with a large leafed magnolia. I also have seeds of various plums and sour cherries in the fridge getting their prescribed dose of cold weather before putting them up to see if I can nurture a few little trees for my orchard. I’ll keep you posted on my efforts, perhaps in 100 years there will be a Cedar of Lebanon to be enjoyed by those living here at the time.
What sorts of fun gardening things do you do in the winter?
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Lovely Alyssum
Ever since I was a wee little lass, I’ve loved alyssum. It’s always had a spot in my garden and it always will. There’s something about this little flower that I adore, it’s perfect in just about every way. Generally I buy my plants at a the local greenhouse since I’ve never had much luck starting it from seed. That never stops my from trying, each year I buy a pack of seed and give it another try.
This is ‘Gulf Winds’ alyssum from Renee’s Garden and I’m a huge fan of the color mix. Usually I buy plain white, but this mix is perfection. Last night I transplanted them around the garden, filling in holes where I harvested lettuce or where other plants died. I’ll definitely be trying this variety once again next year.
Have you had an annual that you’ve loved for your entire life? Do you still grow it in the garden?
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Friday Favorite: Soil Blocks
This is the first year I’ve used lots of soil blocks in my seed starting and I LOVE them. The seedlings definitely grow better and have much less transplants shock. There is a bit of a learning curve to making and managing them, but one you get it they’re perfect. Yesterday, I got four more flats of summer lettuce and other fall crops going in soil blocks.
I’ll definitely do a long article or a series about them here when I have time to sit down and write it. They are well worth the investment in time and money.
Have you ever used soil blocks?
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Soil Blocking
Now that I have more rugged seed trays I started making soil blocks to see how they compare to the other seed starting trays/methods I’ve tried. I’m always excited to try new things, sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t. I’ve tried soil block a few years in the past without much success. This year I finally go the hang of it. I’ve never had my potting soil wet enough.
The next batch of seed I start I will also seed a plastic tray at the same time with the same variety so I can monitor them throughout the season. Soil block are supposed to produce seedlings that don’t get as much of a shock when transplanted because of the air pruning of the roots. The only way to know for sure is to try both methods at once. I’ll keep you posted on my findings.
Are you doing any fun gardening experiments this year?
