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3/1/10 12:10 P

I started up a March chat yesterday, so if we can all go there that would be great!!!

Lisa

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3/1/10 10:33 A

Got tomatoes & peppers started this weekend. Set my trays on a small electric blanket (lap size) and draped clear plastic over them. A mini greenhouse!

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2/28/10 11:22 A

What zone are you? I am zone 5 and would love to do artichokes here. I have heard that it is possible if you start them early enough. Do you have anything you could share on doing artichokes, I would appreciate it!!!

Lisa

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2/23/10 9:18 P

I really, really, really need to get my artichokes started as they need a cold dormant period when the plants are small to trick them into thinking they have experienced a winter in order to produce in one season.

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2/22/10 4:30 P

Great tips everyone.

I'm new to seed starting, Zone 6, in an apt, and have no basement, sunrooms, grow lights, or greenhouses. I have some seed trays and want to start flowers early and some herbs, because they are older seed so I don't know how many will come up, but I'll be happy with even less than 50% so they'll still work. I plant to put my trays on boxes with regular lamps nearby with lightbulbs replaced with grow light bulbs (not the long ones), if I can do that I will.

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2/22/10 12:25 P

We start our seeds in the sunroom....lots of windows & warm. After they have grown a few weeks they will be moved to the basement under lights timed for 16? hour days. Since it is cooler the plants seem to put more into the roots and not get so leggy. And thats what you want is a good root base.

Edited by: _PAULA_H at: 2/22/2010 (12:26)

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2/22/10 10:47 A

Zone 5-- can't plant seedlings quite yet. Last year I planted them too early and ended up with "leggy" seedlings. Our last frost date isn't until Memorial Day (and last year we had 2 frosts the week before Memorial Day...!) so, I usually don't start until a 6-8 weeks before that.

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2/22/10 12:25 A

i bought seeds and another starter tray. i am waiting for my hubby to build a stand for my grow light. i am hoping to start them soon.

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2/21/10 6:40 P

@Mary because of lighting. I just moved my trailer here last fall, and from what I was thinking where I wanted to put the garden would get sun, just not right at the peak time of day because of the shadow from the trailer. From what she said, the stuff she has planted the same place in relation to her trailer (they are set the same directions and everything) doesn't get enough light to do well unless it is stuff that doesn't need much sun. Considering that is where I was thinking of for my veggies like tomatoes and such that need the sun, it wouldn't be good from what people have told me(I should say, my style of gardening is generally, listen to the people that know more than I do, and if it comes up, good, if not, change something next year).

I would like to walk back there and look again, but don't feel like walking through the sloppy snow. Her garden area on that end of the house is up against the house now. I think what I might do is just try to get it closer to the fence at the back of the lot and go in a line rather than closer to the house. I was planning on doing 4 4ftx4ft squares in a square. One green beans, one carrots, and 2 for assorted veggie stuffs, and I had something else I was thinking of doing before carrots. I wouldn't do that much, but I would like to can, and last year I couldn't manage to get enough stuff in for a meal at once, much less to can anything. So I think if I can get out there to measure, what I could do is put the 4ftx4ft squares in a line about a mower width out from the naked ladies I planted along the fence row, and it would span about halfway across the lot, but I don't think the sun would be an issue at that point.

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2/21/10 11:58 A

Megan - Why did you neighbor tell you to move your garden spot?

We are still trying to figure out what all we are planting this year besides the regular stuff.

Mary

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2/21/10 9:11 A

Actually, we put up our cold frame in January, and leave it empty for about a month. That lets the soil warm up for planting. So, we're using it to get a jump on spring, although you could also use them to extend the season in the fall. Our cold frame is a plywood base with scavanged windows on top, we take it down each summer and move it to a new bed each year.

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2/21/10 12:03 A

Got my tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, okra, and coleus started last week. Final frost dates in my area should be about mid March.

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2/20/10 6:20 P

Zone 6 it's too early. I'm doing it any way.

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2/20/10 6:06 P

Getting ready to start seeds this week. DH has been reading the almanac about when to start. Decided this was the week!

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2/20/10 2:40 P

I'm going to start my cabbage, lettuce, parsley & basil next week.

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2/20/10 1:06 P

I live in an apt. I'm going to start tomato and pepper seeds indoors. May be a little early - March 13 was going to be my start date - but I can't wait. I've never container gardened veggies before, and understand peppers and toms are very doable but the plants are picky about being transplanted. I'm going to start alot of flowers from seed this year, as well, I just can't wait for May 15 and having my patio burst into bloom "overnight". Looking forward to that!

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2/20/10 9:41 A

A cold frame pretty much has to be done before winter to be used in the spring, doesn't it? I moved last fall and didn't get any built. Also found out from a neighbor that where I wanted to put the garden needs to find a different home. :(

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2/20/10 8:49 A

I won't start mine for a few weeks yet. I put mine in a damp paper towel in a ziploc last year then started them in the cold frame, that worked pretty well.

Lsia

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2/20/10 8:46 A

I am wondering if anyone is starting seeds indoors yet. Or if they've seen anything new they're going to grow this year.