Transplanting and mulch

The mulch has arrive and the transplanting is nearly done. I have transplanted the zucchini, summer squash, and butternut squash to the garden beds.  All of the bean, bitter melon, and cucumber plants have also made the move to the main garden.

keeping the weeds away with free mulch from the dump

Majority of the plants have settled in nicely and are growing quickly.  However, there were a few fallen soldiers.  The yard beans did not survive the move and more seeds were planted.  The cucumbers have also struggled and may not make it through the weekend. I have planted additional cucumber seeds in the event the current plants do not survive.

The strawberries are doing very well.  I found my first red strawberry today.  I cannot wait to make my first strawberry slushy, yum!

The lettuce mixes are showing their colors while the sweet and Thai basil sprouts reach for the sky.  I foresee lots of pesto in my future.

Victory Garden First!  Last season I planted a seed that would eventually become an eggplant sprout.  The 2011 season was cold and the seed did not sprout until late summer.  The poor little plant did not push out it's first leaves until fall.

The victory garden saw a very warm fall season, which gave the plant time to grow.  A very cold dry winter hit. I dug up the plant and placed it into a pot.  The pot sat under a covered space in my backyard all winter.  Fast forward to 2012 spring.  The plant began sprouting new leaves and growing taller.  So here we are, almost the middle of spring and last season's eggplant sprout is now growing again in the victory garden.  The plant will turn one-year-old in a few months.  What a survivor!

Nursery News 12.3

We have sprouts for every type of veggie and fruit planted.  Here is a complete list of all seeds that have sprouted: big mama tomato, beef steak tomato, grape tomato, cantaloupe, crenshaw melon, watermelon, zucchini, yellow squash, butternut squash, blue lake pole bean, royal burgundy bean, yard bean, scarlet emperor bean, bell peppers, purple beauty bell peppers, Italian eggplant variety, Asian eggplant variety, Thai hot pepper, Kung Pao pepper, ghost pepper, cucumber, beets, radish (variety), pak choi, carrots, brussel sprouts, sweet basil, Thai basil, lettuce variety and sugar snaps.

Re-use cups and containers

I have transplanted many of the seedlings into larger containers.  I am re-using plastic and paper cups for the transplanting process. I want the small sprouts to grown in size.  I noticed some of the plant roots were emerging from the sides of the newspaper pots.  This was a sign that my seedlings needed more room to grow. 

Pak choi, beets, carrots, radish, and brussel sprouts

The sugar snaps are no longer in the nursery.  I allowed the sprouts to harden for four days before transplanting them into the victory garden.  Sugar snaps are cold resistant and should do well in the cool weather.

Sugar snaps with netting

Nursery News 12.2

I see more sprouts emerging from the soft soil. We now have watermelon, purple beauty bell pepper and sugar snaps growing in the nursery.

Sugar Snaps

Nursery News 12.1

Yard Beans and Butternut Squash

Welcome to the Nursery News, your visual connection to the next generation.  Here is the latest update with all things grown by seed in the victory garden.

The seedling to the right still has the hull attached at the top.

What has sprouted: Yard beans, butternut squash, cucumbers, zucchini, grape tomatoes, beef steak tomatoes, big mama tomatoes, watermelon, Crenshaw melon, and lettuce.