Sweet Local Farm

About a week ago I started my kale and eggplant seeds. It was important to get them in before the full moon as it seems to help with germination of upward growing crops, as in not root crops like carrots or onions. The kale sprouted quickly on my seedling heat mats. Within a couple days I moved them under the lights.

I had to build a second light rig to accommodate all the seedlings. I got this utility cart from Home Depot:

I set it up next to our old one:

This is one of the three heating mats I am using. They help maintain a warm environment near the seedlings which is important for good germination and root growth. It is chilly in the basement so these are necessary.

Some seeds and labels:

A spray bottle works well to mist the thirsty seedlings:

A loosely wrapped layer of plastic wrap works well to keep in heat and moisture. After germination I removed the wrap for proper air circulation:

The seedlings today, 6 days after planting:

We will be starting our first seedlings in just over a month’s time. I am preparing by getting all our supplies in order- seed starting pots, warming mats, non soil potting medium, and whatever else we may need. I also finished my tentative seed starting calendar:

Tomato: start inside on 3/19 6 wks before last frost – move outside 5/7-5/14 if warm, or to greenhouse
Sweetie Cherry Tomato
San Marzano Paste Tomato
Medford Tomato
Yellow Brandywine Tomato
Amish Paste Tomato
various tomato seeds from Bishop Homegrown

Pepper: start inside on 3/5 8 wks before last frost – move outside 5/7-5/14 if warm or to greenhouse

Early Jalapeno Pepper
Maya Red Habenero Pepper
Bell Pepper

Eggplant: start inside on 2/26 9 wks before last frost – move outside 5/7-5/14 if warm or to greenhouse
Black Beauty Eggplant

Potato: start outside 4/30 -5/7
Rose Finn Apple Fingerling Potato
Russian Banana Fingerling Potato
Yukon Gold Potato
All Red Potato
Red Gold Potato
All Blue Potato

Greens: start outside – also experiment with very early spring plantings in the greenhouse
High Mowing DMR Lettuce Mix 4/9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Astro Arugula /9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Samish F1 Hybrid Spinach 3/26 check soil for workability, plant every two weeks
Fordhook Giant Chard 4/9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Dwarf Jewel Nasturtium 5/7

Peas: start outside on 3/17 – check soil for workability, set up pea trellis (appx 3ft high), 6 wks before last frost
Sugar Snap Pea

Beans: start outside
Gold Rush Wax Bean- (bush bean) start outside on 5/14 if warm, use inoculant, 2 wks after last frost
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean – require tall trellis, start outside on 5/14 if warm, use inoculant, 2 wks after last frost
Light Red Kidney Bean (drying bean)
Fiskeby Soybean – require some support/trellis start outside on 5/14 if warm, use inoculant, 2 wks after last frost

Corn: start outside 5/7 to 5/14, 1-2 weeks after last frost
Luscious F1 Hybrid Corn

Beets, Carrots and Radish: start outside
Early Wonder Tall Top Beet 4/9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Guardsmark Chioggia Beet 4/9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Cherry Belle Radish 4/9, check soil for workability, 3 wks before last frost
Napoli F1 Hybrid Carrot 4/30, check soil for workability, wk of last frost
Scarlet Nantes Carrot 4/30, check soil for workability, wk of last frost

Brassicas: inside
De Cicco Broccoli 3/26 4 wks before last frost
Lacinato Dinosaur Kale 2/26 9 wks before last frost
Red Express Cabbage 3/26 4 wks before last frost

Winter Squash: start outside 5/7 – 5/14 protect from bunnies
New England Pie Pumpkin
Howden Pumpkin
Long Island Cheese Pumpkin
Sweet REBA Acorn Squash
Waltham Butternut
Baby Blue Hubbard Squash

Summer Squash: start outside on 5/14 if the soil is well warmed. 2 wks after last frost
Yellow Crookneck Squash
Dark Green Zucchini

Cucumbers: start outside on 5/14 if the soil is well warmed. 2 wks after last frost
Little Leaf Cucumber
Marketmore 76 Cucumber

Onions and Chives: start outside on 4/30
Cortland F1 Hybrid Onion
Red Baron Onion
Chives

Herbs: start outside
Genovese Basil 5/7
Dill Bouquet 4/30
Santo Cilantro 5/7
Common Sage 5/7
Parsley 4/23

Sunflowers – 5/7 outside

Hops – cascade – follow planting instructions with rhizomes

Asparagus crowns – follow planting instructions

Tobacco start inside on 3/19 6 wks before last frost – move outside 5/7-5/14 if warm, or to greenhouse

Hey Folks,
I used to have a list here that I found by searching on Google but many have complained that it is old or false info. I am removing the list and suggest that you research your own seed company before you place your order. I order from High Mowing Organic Seeds in VT and Botanical Interests. They have great products, organic seeds, and good customer service.

Last year I ordered many of our seeds from High Mowing Organic Seeds. Based out of Vermont, High Mowing offers 100% Certified Organic, Non-GMO Seeds and over 450 Heirloom, Open-Pollinated and Hybrid Seeds. Their new seed catalog for 2010 is online now. I’m already starting to plan for next year!

But, this growing season is still in full swing. The days have been warm and the nights have not been getting a hard frost. Our greenhouse greens are doing really well.

The temp outside was around 50 degrees, but inside it was about 74 degrees.

Buying seeds can be expensive. Make the best of your investment by staying organized. I separated my seeds into two piles, starting indoors and starting outdoors. Then I cataloged them by how many weeks before my last frost date they should be started. Now I just have to stay on top of things and I should have happy seedlings.

The seedlings I started on March 1 have almost all sprouted and are doing well. I guess the cornmeal really works because I haven’t had any more mold. Here is a pic of the Black Beauty eggplants.

You may have noticed our site was down for a while. We had to start over, so here we are!

The weather in Boston isn’t giving me much hope these days. It just snowed again and spring seems a world away. We built a seedling station with fluorescent lights. I started onions, eggplants, and peppers three days ago. I wrapped them in plastic to keep the moisture in, but yesterday I noticed mold! I did some quick research and learned that cornmeal acts as a natural antifugal. I sprinkled it on the pots and uncovered them so they get better circulation. I sincerely hope they aren’t ruined. We are supposed to be moving to the farm in three weeks, but there may be some snags in the road. I’m hoping for the best.