This is our third year of doing seedlings and each year we have different problems. This year’s problem is everything in the middle of the seedlings dries out and the seeds grow around the outside of the planter. We’ll have to problem solve for next year. Fortunately we still have enough to transplant and we should have a decent crop this year. Though I was hoping for more tomato plants but we’ll see how that goes.
Celery can be tricky. I have fussed with this for four years now. The first year we bought seedlings and they did quite well. The next year I did seedlings and more than half died as I planted them. We got a few that were wonderful. Last year we did much better but these little guys, until well established, will die if you look at them wrong. I was hopeful this year as I planted more than half a tray but we ran into the middle of the tray drying out frequently. I hope to have 12 to transplant. Fingers crossed. Because fresh celery in soups is fabulous!
Peppers are doing well for the most part. We should have a bumper crop again this year. We were overwhelmed last year but fortunately the community kitchen takes fresh produce and we could freeze some. We have two sweet peppers and several hot peppers. Great for hot pepper jelly! Love that on cheddar.
Our green house is officially open now. I think. We thought so a few weeks ago then winter came back and we had to pull everything back in. Can you believe these leeks can get to be 5 feet long?!? The seeds are so tiny!
We’ve been lucky so far with the pak choi. These were transplanted earlier and so far so good. Though we may need to risk it and transplant again. We’re on the fence. I’ll be direct seeding soon as well.
This weekend is supposed to be gorgeous and definitely springlike next week so it is time to get a few veg in! So excited. 🙂
love your greenhouse. It’s so exciting to see babies grow. I’ve never tried celery, here in soCal it’s a bit too dry and hot, i think.
Celery likes the heat but it needs a lot of water. Especially at the beginning. I love my greenhouse too. 🙂 We built it last fall so we’re on a learning curve on the best way to utilize it.
I love my greenhouse, I don’t know how I ever lived without it!
It is certainly helping with space for all the seedlings. Looks less like a jungle in the house.
I really hope the promise of warmer weather comes true. We don’t have a greenhouse or even a cold frame so have to wait to sow direct. I don’t really have the patience! 🙂
Neither do I! :). Major reason for the greenhouse. Need to try cold frames.
Love the idea of the hot pepper jelly on Cheddar. Oh, and so missing my garden that I used to have.
I would find it hard not to have one. Hard work but worth it.
I have never had luck with celery either. My tomatoes and peppers thrive. Sweet corn has never made it either 🙂 That’s crazy about the leeks! Do you grow sweet corn? Any tips 🙂 I love the hot pepper jelly on cheddar and brie…yum!
We may try corn but we don’t have a lot of space. The celery that survives does really well but there are a good amount of casualties.
Funny thing is my hubs got home tonight and started raking in the garden. My onions and dill is already coming up from last year! I understand about room for corn. We did a small-ish space but, the ears never matured…boo!
Did you plant them in squares so they pollinate?
Yep, we did that. We also thought that since we’re surrounded by farms and farmland that they would do well. Nope, we tried a few years in a row and it just won’t take. Kinda strange when we have corn growing behind our house. I know it’s a different kind but, still. I don’t think we will be using that space for corn this year.
There is always one veg that decides to be stubborn. Wonder what it will be for us this year.
We are hoping for some warmer weather, snow yesterday and it’s April. Every year is different. Mother nature keeps you on your toes. Last year I sowed tray after tray of peas watching for little shoots, nothing, it was hard to accept but the slugs were having a buffet every night. I will be starting them off indoors this year.
Did you put out beer? They like it and then drown in it.
Actually we did, and I think they just drank it after they had had their fill at the buffet!!
Oh dear. My mil keeps a bucket of salt water and she drops them in there. That’s time consuming though.
Looks great … Fingers are crossed. Have you tried broken up egg shells for the slug problem? I heard that can help.
You make me feel like such a slacker! I just planted my seeds yesterday but, then again, I would plant anything outdoors sooner than May 15th. Still, you don’t have seedlings any longer. You’ve got plants!! I better start talking to mine in an effort to coax them to speed up. 🙂
A lot of veg can be planted now. The tender ones like tomatoes and peppers need to wait until mid-May. But the hardier ones need the cool months to get going. I was surprised when I found that out. It was always drilled into me that you can’t plant until Memorial Weekend! The growing season is much longer. Thank goodness!
I’ve a few containers for my garden but it is good to know that, should things change, I can sow a few seeds earlier. Thanks for the tip. I neve would have guessed otherwise. 🙂
We even have onions regrowing from last year. Crazy.
We’re seeing green shoots – just. Still got a wood fire burning:)
Hard winter to shake off! The plants can be so hardy. I’m always surprised when they start poking up and I have a million layers on. 🙂
We can’t beat nature..there are too many reasons why we can’t get some plants up…I am facing the same issue trying to get my sweet basil up from seed. This is my forth try this year..keeping my fingers crossed..
I wish I have more space to grow veggies and herbs! After seeing your post, it reminds me I better start planting. I have a small cherry tomato plant last year and my little girl loves it. She love to pick her own tomato for snack in the afternoon! 🙂
It’s the best having tomatoes right off the vine. 🙂
I’m so impressed. I couldn’t imagine having the patience to grow all these delights from scratch. But I’ll bet it makes everything taste better….
There is nothing like fresh veg right from the garden. 🙂