It’s finally spring!

I haven’t written a blog for a few months and apologize for that. I’ve been busy with a new job and family matters. So I’ll cover some of what I would have covered in late January or early February, as well as what to get ready for for spring.

Over-wintered specimens
I over-wintered a Mandavilla plant again this year. It’s the same plant that I’ve overwintered for the last couple of years. Usually I keep it in the large south facing window and it always gets attacked by mealy bugs. This year I moved it to another room with a south facing window and it’s had a better time of it. This room has been kept shut and fairly cool since my son is away at school and the plant has successfully over-wintered with minimal pests. I also over-wintered several Klanchoe (well, they are houseplants…), in a sunny south facing window. They bloomed beautifully this winter and have just started getting mealy bugs. So I’ve been spraying with neem, but decided to put both the Mandavilla and the Klanchoe out in the garage near the sunny windows. It’s cool, but not freezing, so they should fare pretty well and it will help with the mealy bug. I did this successfully last year. In another week or so I’ll cut back both plants in anticipation of the season.

I also over-wintered a black pearl pepper. I had grown it from seed and planted it with the other peppers last spring. In early fall I dug it up, potted it, and brought it into the house. It began it’s winter life in the large south facing window, but almost immediately was attacked by mealy bugs. So I sprayed liberally with neem and moved it to another room with a south facing window, where it has been happily sitting ever since. It has lots of flowers and is beginning to develop some new peppers. I think that this year I’ll keep it in a pot on the patio, in an attempt to keep it year after year.

In past years I’ve overwintered Geraniums and Dracaena. This year I decided not to, due to time constraints.

Seed catalogs
Sometime in January the seed catalogs came. They make me yearn for spring and it’s hard not to want everything! By now all of my seeds have been purchased. This year I got the Nonna’s Prize tomatoes again (they’re a hybrid, so seeds that are saved won’t reliably reproduce the same stock). I also will try San Marzano (an heirloom, so I can save the seeds), and Better Boy (a hybrid). Finally I have some older seeds from my father’s heart heirloom stock; I really hope I can get them to germinate as I want to grow them in honor of his memory (he passed away 3/9/2011).

In addition to tomatoes, I plan on Spacemaster cucumbers, snow/snap peas, lettuce (several kinds), eggplant, peppers, and squash. I planned out the rotation for this year and the next 4 years so I know pretty much where everything will go. Finally, I purchased some carrot seeds from the grocery store (I just couldn’t resist).

What to get ready
If you haven’t gathered seed starting supplies, now is the time to do so. You can use a sunny window or supplement the lighting with fluorescent or full spectrum fluorescent lights (I have a plant stand with grow lights that I use). If your using supplies from the previous season (like seedling trays), make sure they are cleaned. The top rack of the dishwasher will do. For the last couple of years, I cleaned the trays after use so I didn’t have to do it at this time.

First set of seeds started
In the last week of February I started the peppers (sweet & jalapeno) & eggplant. The yield isn’t as good as I’d like (I wanted 15 plants each). I may have to purchase some seedlings to supplement. Next, I’ll be starting parsley, scallions, and morning glory. The end of March and early April will be the busiest for starting seeds. On the list will be several varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, and annual flowers (nasturtium, cosmos, marigold).

What’s next
I added compost (from my own compost pile – it is starting to thaw!) and organic fertilizer to 2 garden beds. I removed most of the mulch from the garlic (and added compost & fertilizer). In another bed, I sowed the carrot seeds already (3/19), but need to put a row cover over them in case we continue to get frost. I’m squeezing them in between the green beans and peas. This year I’m also going to try my hand with potatoes. Since I really don’t have a place for them, I’m going to use a potato grow bag from Gardeners Supply, and put them on the patio.

As far as the flower gardens are concerned, I’ve cleaned out the front bed. The side and pool garden beds are next. Ivll be composting and adding organic fertilizer to the remaining vegetable beds. Then I’ll be adding compost & fertilizer to all the perennials. There are some I plan to move too. Better get a move on!

So that’s about it for now. I’m so glad it’s spring and the good weather is very welcome. As I do my garden this year, thoughts of my Dad will be ever present. He was an avid vegetable gardener and each tomato I pick will bring me thoughts of him.

Happy Gardening!
Susan