This week I actually found myself outdoors sowing seeds directly into the soil of my garden. Thanks to wonderful Tennessee weather, where you can count on a few days of warm even in February, we’re able to plant a few cool season crops this month.
So far in the vegetable garden I’ve planted:
- Lettuce – two varieties Little Gem, and Tom Thumb
- Spinach – a hybrid
- Sugar snap peas
- Garlic (done in the fall)
- Cilantro (self-sows regularly in the fall)
I planted the lettuce and spinach into my circular raised bed that just recently was put together. I arranged three sticks to divide the area into six sections. Four of the sections are planted and soon I’ll fill the last two with my red lettuce. If we get some really cold weather these plants may need some covering.
I’m planting the sugar snap peas everywhere I can this year. They are delicious right out of the garden and we never seem to have enough. They rarely even make it into the house! Once they have stopped producing we’ll let the foliage die back and nourish the soil with the nitrogen it fixed while growing. Legumes are a great resource! About that time I’ll be able to plant my tomatoes in the garden in and around the fast fading peas.
How are your seeds coming?
To join in on Seed Sowing Saturday just link back to this post and tell us about your seed sowing experiences over the past week. Be sure to leave a link below so we can come over and visit your post! Oh, and a Tweet or a Facebook mention/like is always a good thing!
Visit these Seed Starters!
- Sarah at Green Love Grass
- Lynda at Cortina Creek
- Tervy at Garden G’Imp
- Shannon at The Garden State
So nice to see you are getting ready for spring. I hope your seeds sprout soon
That circular bed is nice! It will be gorgeous when your plants develop. I am going to have to put one of those on my to do list. How long did the compost that is on your raised beds cure? I'm wondering how long the compost needs to sit before putting it on veggies.
Me too Fer!
Sarah,
I initially put the compost in a couple years ago that I bought from a local bulk sales place. I didn't put additional in last year except for the stuff form my own bin so I could put it in any time. I'll supplement with some bloodmeal soon to add some additional nitrogen. If your compost came from an unknown source it is probably a mix of cattle and horse manure and may still be hot. If it's chicken manure let it compost fully because it will burn your plants. If it's from your garden compost and is mostly plant matter then you can sift it and put it on anytime. I hope that answers your question!
That helps tons. I've read so many things this winter about composting that I am beginning to confuse myself! Thanks!
Here's my seed starting post for this week:
http://greenlovegrass.blogspot.com/
The weather here in Northern California has been annoying…wet and cold. The garden loves the weather…looks like a jungle out there! Lots of broccoli and the cabbages are starting to look good…and lots of flowers.
http://cortinacreek.blogspot.com/2011/02/seed-sowing-saturday-deux.html
I love that circular bed; that would make a lovely perennial herb garden also. Tea time anybody? This week we are starting a tea plantation 🙂 Camellia sinensis
I love that circular bed, it's going to be so pretty with the lettuces in it! I'm envious of your direct sowing, too. March always gives me rogue weather in my zone, I don't dare direct sow so early!
Here's my sowing for this week: http://shannon-thegardenstate.blogspot.com/2011/02/getting-under-way.html
I am a bit behind… Will start in March. Love your circulad bed!!!
The circle for lettuce is a great idea. Wonder if I have space for a circle somewhere…