I'm like weeks behind schedule, but I finally got my lazy sloth bum in gear and started some of my seeds!
I've got room under my single lonely grow light for five more egg carton (i.e. hillbilly) seed start trays. I'm going to try very, very hard to not start any cucumbers, summer squash or winter squash. Two years ago I started squashes indoors and when I put them outside I also direct sowed seeds in the same area. After about a month & a half you really couldn't tell which one was started early and which one was started right in the ground. Going to direct sow the peas and beans as well. I saved a bunch of green & yellow wax bean seeds last fall. The beans were so tough last year because of the drought that I just let most of them go to seed and dry up on the vines / bushes.
About a week ago I placed an order for four mulberry trees, twelve hazelnut bushes, six blackberry and six raspberry bushes. There's also a nursery in town that is advertising gala, fuji and honey crisp apple trees for like twelve bucks! They are ones I've been wanting to get anyhow so I'm planning on getting two of each of them. Speaking of trees, I never finished pruning the pear trees. Wonder if it's too late to do that. Paul also mentioned looking up taking a cutting from the pear trees and trying to get it to root. I bought some rooting compound last year (where it is, however, is anyone's guess) so figured I'll give it a go. Have any of you rooted fruit trees using cuttings before? I'd really like to try it. It's like free trees!!
Paul's Take
So I guess that means that I'll be the one digging holes for all these new bushes and trees.
We cannot start plants here until we build our greenhouse. The cats eat the sprouts, and we only have one window where they will grow. Some day I will get to do that. We have to buy all of our starter plants and potatoes.
ReplyDeleteI prune the fruit trees in early spring. But you'd have to HAVE early spring - I am guessing that you have months of early spring-ish weather. I'd ask your local guys for their take on it. Hey - Paul, when you're done there, I have some holes that need digging up here!
ReplyDeleteYou might think about learning grafting fruit trees rather than rooting. Most named varieties have been bred for vigorous growth, fruiting, or disease resistance... to the detriment of their ability to grow a strong root system. Some fruit are exceptions, but either way, hardwood rooting is quite difficult. But give grafting a try, its really easier than it looks, it doesn't take chemicals, and the results can be so amazing---like "fruit cocktail" trees!
ReplyDeleteCucumbers and squash don't like to have their roots disturbed in the least bit so I think when they are started inside and then transplanted, they take quite a while to get over the "shock." I don't start them inside at all anymore . . . even up here near the tundra.
ReplyDeleteThinking of Paul digging all those holes in your rocky soil . . . oof! But the man who lives with me can relate as he's definitely Chief Hole Digger and we usually get enough big rocks out of any dug hole to build part of a stone wall. Why aren't we gardening somewhere where they have . . . you know, like some soil??
I'm way behind too, need to get the tomato seeds started this weekend. I never "start" cukes, squash, beans, peas or melons. They all do so well with direct seeding that it's kind of a waste of effort.
ReplyDeleteSounds neat about the fruit trees! My hubby is the official hole digger here too! LOL!! My stupid, stupid fruit trees are starting to flower, just in time for this weekend's winter storm. Grrr...
We're setting up our new/recycled seed starting shelves soon, in our spare bedroom. Going to rig up some light above each shelf and start lots of stuff!
ReplyDeleteInstead of trying fruit tree cuttings why don't you try planting the seed of the fruit and then graft the Scion wood of choice onto it. Grating really isn't that dificult, just make sure the Cambium layers conect and make the grat air tight. Just use a small peice of Scion wood with only 2-3 buds and seal the top of the twig with tape or grafting wax.
ReplyDeleteDon
Instead of digging holes for plants why not raise beds for planting, then let the plants work their roots between the rocks.
ReplyDeleteInstead of trying fruit tree cuttings why don't you try planting the seed of the fruit and then graft the Scion wood of choice onto it. Grating really isn't that dificult, just make sure the Cambium layers conect and make the grat air tight. Just use a small peice of Scion wood with only 2-3 buds and seal the top of the twig with tape or grafting wax.
ReplyDeleteDon
I'm the sloth since I'm just now catching up! I don't start anything that can be direct seeded, just keep reminding yourself how those small trays morph into multiple larger ones LOL! I about fell over laughing when your blog came up... are those flying pop tart kitties? hahahaha!
ReplyDelete