March 2nd, New England

Since no one started a thread yet, I'll begin.

I finally looked up Chinese cabbage on Google and learned that you cannot start it as early as regular cabbage indoors.
The info states it should be transplanted 2-3 wks before last frost date when its not more than 4-5 wks old. If my math is correct, that means I should start Chinese cabbage seeds indoors 7-8 wks before last frost date.

They are a cool weather Brassica crop that needs to reach maturity early in summer so its best to start them indoors or buy seedlings from a reputable dealer to plant outdoors at the right time.

Well, I started my seeds indoors 11 wks before and they are looking good but they will be much too old by transplanting time. Also, I should have started them in 2" soil blocks so their roots are disturbed as little as possible.

These are in 3/4" soil blocks, Chinese on the left growing well, and mini Super Red 80 cabbages on the right and growing as they should.

I'll start more seeds at the proper time but in the meantime, I just might transplant one or two into a pot and see if they grow indoors under the lights into large plants. It'll be an experiment but I don't want to lose all these seedlings if I can help it.

On the other hand, my broccoli are doing well in their 2" pots. I can almost believe spring is coming soon. Its in the 40s today and sunny, but 20s arrive again for the next 2 days and then back into the 40s. I'm hoping the 40s become a permanent number daytimes for March here in Maine. I need to get out to walk the dogs and see the snow melt from my garden beds.

How are my other fellow New Englanders doing this month?
Can you believe spring may be near after all?

Willow turns yellow.
Liquid water is falling.
I can see the ground.

Camprn, you are a poet!

camprn - the only patches I'm seeing are on the driveway thru the ice... But supposed to be above freezing for the next 48 hours, so I'm hoping.

What seeds are you starting indoors, and what seeds are you planning to grow directly in the garden? I got my tomato seeds today in the mail, and next week should come the rest of the seeds. On my list this year are:

Broccoli
Eggplant
Corn
Lettuce
Bell Peppers
Peas
Squash
Cucumbers
Pole Beans
Corn
Various herbs

Should I be worried if I haven't planted any of them yet? I think the indoor planting dates here are 3/15 - 4/1, but maybe some of them, like the broccoli and lettuce, need to be earlier. I can't do anything till the seeds get here anyway tho.

So camprn, you're saying I would be best off seeding all those plants indoors?

I'm gonna need a lot more trays than I thought.

Do you use regular potting soil for your indoor plantings, and then transplant into MM outside?

I know I should be reading the book more and asking questions less. I'm impatient. But I'm going to go read right now...

Edit: My seeds just came in the mail! Yippee! I rushed them into the fridge just like Mel said to do.

I started Cauliflower seeds today, both Cheddar and Early Snowball and also some Carel Cabbage which I just rec'd from Territorial Seeds this week and some Flat-leaf Italian parsley as well.

They are on the right on the heat mat.
I also devised some little plant markers suitable for my little 3/4" soil blocks. I made them by bending paper clips to fit and in this way I'm able to write on the cardstock the variety and planting date and anything else I'd like. The thin tips of the clips slide right into the soil

I made them from the small paper clips to fit my itty bitty blocks but also made some from the larger paper clips for my 2" and larger soil blocks.
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I wanted you to see the turquoise 10" plant pots I got for my herbs and nasturtiums this year. Its my favorite color and they had them at Walmart for $3. each so I bought the 8 they had left. I just couldn't pass them up.
This way I will free-up more raised-bed space for veggies instead of nasturtiums, marigolds and herbs.

I also planted two of the 3 Genovese Basil Disks I got from Territorial into 6" pots and put them under the light I keep in my living room for my houseplants. I'm hoping to get Basil started early inhouse this year. I'll let you know how those disks work out.

We got some rain today and it reached 40 degrees so I'm hoping some of the snow is melting. I still can't see my outdoor beds.

In my area its ok to start cold-weather crops indoors since they won't be ready for 10-12 weeks from the time they are sown.
That means cabbage, cauliflowers, broccoli, and parsley are started now. I'm not going to have Brussels sprouts this year. The family don't care for them so I didn't want to waste the space.

With SFG one can cover their crops easily with heavy row cover, blankets, sheets or old towels if a bad freeze is expected once they are transplanted outdoors.
We can also put gallon milk jugs over the young transplants to give them a little more warmth from the sun on cooler days.
That's one of the beauties of SFG.

quiltbea, As I'm thinking about ordering the equipment from Johnny's that you've mentioned here, I'm wondering whether I even need to get the 3/4" soil block, and just go straight to the 2". I know they recommend the 3/4" for the small stuff, but it would be a lot cheaper just to skip that step, I wouldn't have to buy the press or the 3/4" adapter for the 2" soil blocker. What do you think?

Also, I see they have different warming mat sizes. What size have you found works best for you? The 9x19 I'm thinking is too small, the next step up is 20 x 20, but wow, over $50. Still, it's an initial investment that you use year after year, so I'm thinking it might be worth it...

NHGardener,
I like the 3/4" blocks to start my seeds and put them on the heating mat. They fit much better and take up less space during germination. If something doesn't germinate, I can toss that little block out and haven't wasted soil either.

Remember, you have to make your soil specifically for the block making. Either buy the 512 soil mix or make your own. I have Eliot Coleman's recipe for that if you need it although I don't make my own, I buy it. Its easier for this old lady. ha ha

Of course, you can skip that and go to the 2" size instead. It'll just take more room to put them on the heat mat during germination time.

My mat measures 10 x 20 and is fine for me with my small blocks germinating on it. It also fits on the little table that I use for starting seeds.

One just has to make things work for their own needs and purses. I hated to spend that extra money, but for me I felt I needed both.

Quiltbea?

I would love the recipe to make your own soil starter if you wouldn't mind. THANK YOU.

Also I hate paying shipping for soil from Johnny's...can you recommend a store bought version that would work in the soil blockers?

Jen