More Planting and First Seedlings!

Yesterday I planted Purple Haze Carrots in front of my blueberry bushes on the side of the house. I also fertilized the bushes with Miracle Gro for Acid Loving Plants. I just bought the bushes last fall (a 2 year old Duke, 3 year old Bluecrop , and 2 year old Elliott), and I'm really hoping I get some blueberries this year. I also pruned each of the plants a little bit (cut crossing branches, super-vigorous growth, and downward facing branches). I've tried rooting one of the prunings after dipping it in some rooting hormone and putting it in the peat/vermiculite/perlite mixture. We'll see how that does.

I also planted two varieties of peas in the other raised bed - Little Marvel and Snowbird. I don't have enough soil to fill that bed, so it's mostly just my horrible clay soil (that our dog has been pooping and peeing on for the last year) mixed with a little peat moss. I don't really have high hopes for those peas.


After church this morning, I was really surprised to see my first seedlings had emerged! The first to come were Snowdrift Marigolds and a Scarlet Zinnia. I was even more surprised to see more seedlings this evening--Super Sweet 100 Cherry Tomato, Siam Queen Basil, and a Hollyhock!

Planting

I've decided to start this blog as a handy way for me to keep track of dates/successes/failures as I garden here in Cincinnati.

Yesterday, I finished starting my seeds inside using roughly equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. The seeds I got through the generosity of the Civic Garden Center here, as one of the perks of being a community gardener.
















I have them under two 2 ft. shop lights, each with two cool white bulbs.
















My wife isn't exactly thrilled with the aluminum foil wrapping I've put around the seed trays. I'm hoping it reflects back as much light and heat onto the plants as possible. We'll see! I have high hopes for my little seeds!