Thursday, April 17, 2008

Garden Party

These are some of the seedlings from the seeds that karl sent from Pile of O'Maleys! I think I did something wrong with the first batch of seeds because the little seedlings promptly croaked. So, I tried again and had better results. These are Cherokee Purple and the Pantero Romanesco tomatoes. I have never been good at starting plants from seed unless I just sow the seed directly in the garden. That I can do. But starting seedlings ahead of time and having to keep them inside and harden them off etc. just gets to me. I guess I get distracted or bored with them and neglect to water and such. I prefer to buy the plants already started and just set them out. Partly this is just because I have so much stuff going on it is less trouble for me. However, it is getting more and more that I cannot find the plants I want because I have turned more towards growing heirloom varieties and most gardening centers carry hybrids.
Anyway, I also have some pepper plants started and several paprika plants. I am very excited about that. Apparently you can eat the paprika peppers just like others types but if you want it for the seasoning, you let the peppers turn red on the plant and then pick and dry them and then grind for cooking with. This is many more tomato plants than I need but I am going to share some with a buddy at work.
I have several things going on at the house that I hope to post about soon. I am trying to get started on the siding but need to do just a little more research on some stuff before I buy the trim. When I finally purchase the stuff I may see about taking a week off from work so that I can really get a good portion of it done. Allen wants me to do the trim his way but I am not sure about that. I think I may want to do it another way. That's why the song says, "ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself".

*Rick Nelson

9 comments:

Omelay said...

i'm not good at starting plants for exactly the same reasons. luckily tabitha has an incredibly green thumb.

MamaHen said...

Hey karl! It's fortunate that you have her to help! I have just had to make myself become more attentive since it's just me.

Ron said...

Yeah, I just about killed dozens of tomatoes and peppers this year... first by over-watering them (due to not checking on the moisture deep in the cups) and secondly by ignoring a rapidly developing bacterial spot infection until it was almost too late. But when I see those sickly transplants sitting neglected outside at the farm stores around here, I just can't bring myself to pay good money for them.

Your seedlings look good! I can't wait to get mine out of the house, maybe tomorrow. :)

Ron

MamaHen said...

Hey Ron! They don't seem to be growing very fast but that could just be me as I have never really done this before and don't know how fast these things grow! Yeah, I generally won't spend god money on most of the stuff at the garden places but sometimes they have some ok plants if you get them when they first come in.

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

You inspire me to get my plants started. My pigs are busy plowing the garden. It will be over a month before anything can be planted. Our season is short (not much more than 100 frost free days)but things grow rapidly here with longer daylight houses, good heat and moisure.

R.Powers said...

Good luck with those seedlings!

MamaHen said...

Hey Philip! Yeah, get those plants a'going! I saw how your pigs are "plowing". Ha! You are more tolerant than I am, I'll say that. Be having bacon and sausage everyday...

Thanks FC!

Anonymous said...

There's a great little place in Jemison called Petals From The Past--they have flowers, vegetables, herbs, etc. and lots of heirloom or vintage varieties. It's not that far to drive--not quite as far as Clanton...we really enjoyed our visit. www.petalsfromthepast.com
Linda

MamaHen said...

Hey Linda! Yeah, I've been to that place although it has been some time ago. I think Allen and I went. We enjoyed it but it is a bit of a drive. I just forget about stuff like that, I guess because it is so far away.