Journey of a Seed Sower...sowing caledar 2012

When is the best time to sow veggie seeds in the Pacific Northwest? Seattle is just like most other places and is dependent on the Last Spring Frost date! Whether you are starting your seeds in/out doors or direct sow in the ground it all comes down to timing and the freezing bite of mother-nature.

After speaking with many nurseries, gardeners, bloggers and local sites, the consensus for the last frost day here in Seattle is Mothers day weekend. 
However if you want to be really sure of the last spring frost date in your area and you like the science, check out http://cdo.ncdc.noaa.gov - Climate Norm's very cool tool, just enter your State then location and it bases the date on local weather patterns. You can choose from a 90% chance of frost, a 50/50 chance of frost or play it real safe and opt for the 10% chance of frost.

• My 50/50 date would be: April 11th
• While my 10% date is: April 27th (which I would feel safer using)
• Mothers day this year is May 13th (I figure by this date it will be safe for me to start sowing or transplanting to the veggie beds! I'm so not a risk taker when it comes to sowing for the first time!)

So why is the last spring frost date so important? Basically most seeds prefer to be sown when the ground is warmer and the last chance of frost has passed as to not burn any new shoots or freeze and shock the seed (I can relate, who likes being in the garden when it's freezing anyway!)
But in saying this, I am surprised by how many cold season seeds thrive in these conditions, many of the green's like lettuce, broccoli and pea's love the colder weather and its been suggested to plant before the last frost as it can make for a tastier yield, they kinda like it...crazy seeds!

My Sow calendar for Spring 2012

March 12th - 18th - set up an area for indoor sowing!!
March 19th - 25th - Start sowing tomatoes indoors/coldframe (10-14days germination)
March 26th - April 1st - Indoor/coldframe sow onions* (21-30days germination)
April 2nd - April 8th - Indoor/coldframe sow broccoli (6-10days germination)
April 9th - April 15th -  Indoor/coldframe sow lettuce (2-14days germination)
April 16th - April 22nd -
April 23rd - April 29th - Transplant Broccoli (thin12-18in apart)
April 30th - May 6th- Direct sow beans (6-8days germination, thin to 8in when plant has 4leaves)
May 7th - May 13th - LAST SPRING FROST -
May 14th - May 20th - Direct sow carrots (14-23days germination) Direct sow cukes (5seeds per mound)
May 21st - May 27th - Transplant lettuce (10-15in apart) Transplant onions
May 28th - June 3rd - Transplant Tomatoes (1.5-3ft apart) Thin carrots (1in apart) Thin beans (s.a)
June 4th - June 10th - Thin Cukes to best 3/mound

*onion thinning - 25mm(1")-50mm(2") apart and then again later to 10cm(4")

Like most things in the world of gardening, this is all subject to change and is a rough outline for what I should be doing during what week. It might help me stay on track better when I work the plan and not just guess as I go. I have had so much wonderful advice on what to start when and little tips that fellow bloggers have suggested. Check out the awesome comments here on my I have my veggie seeds...now what? post! Thank you for all your wonderful advice!!!

A most wonderful Companion Planting Chart...

So while this week I am sinking my teeth into learning all there is to learn about sowing seeds and where to start, I came across this wonderful companion planting chart for my veg garden. As my goal is to be completely 100% organic in my seed to plate method, these combinations will be great at combating possible disease and insect attacks! Love the natural insect repellant tips on the side...just wonderful!!

Click here for larger view

IDEP's Companion Planting Guide - Thanks to http://permaculture.org.au/

Wordless Wednesday....Spring buds in anticipation

First little Cherry blossom still not sure if she should venture!

I have my veggie seeds....now what?

This is the start of my journey from seed to plate! Something I have not successfully achieved before!
I really have to admit I am scared when it comes to growing vegetables from seed, knowing when to sow and what vegetable to grow...help! I think my blog is turning more into a confessional for a gardener who really doesn't have a clue...lol! But like anything I am hear to learn...woot! My track record with seeding has not been very successful, so usually I stick to growing veggies from a "start" purchased from my local green house or kindly donated by a sympathetic friend....When it comes to seeds I'm scattered! Although when it comes to seed quality I know exactly what I want, check out my post on Seed labeling.

I have decided that now is the time to dig in and take this seed growing seriously, I am excited to learn as much as I can about starting my veg from seed right. I just hope I am not to late for the season? (see not a clue!) My interest is stemming from a "passion" of knowing what I am really eating.

Organically Certified Seeds I have just recently purchased, ah I love Seattle Seed Co home to GMO free seed!

Tomatoes: Washington cherries & Brandywine
Cucumbers: Early Fortune & Tendergreen (going to try pickling!)
Leafy greens: Buttercrunch, Spring mix & Roquette
Onion: Walla Walla
Beans: Kentucky Wonder (Bush) Still deciding on a pole bean?
Carrots: Danver
Zucchini: Black Beauty
As well as a number of herbs, Coriander, Thyme, Basil, Dill, Oregano, Spring onions and Sage! oh and Parsley.

So now that I have my seeds, now what? Time to sow, but which ones and how? Things I am really looking forward to learning more about....

When is the best time to sow what veggie?
Should it be started indoors or direct ground sow?
How do I know if a seed is growing correctly?
If I have sowed indoors when do I move them to the veggie bed?
What veg from seed grow best in my area?

So many questions not to mention so many seed packs collected over the years, you might even say I have seed hoarder tendencies. The fun of buying, lured in by pretty packaging or with dreams and plans to one day sow!

Is it sad to say I have probably framed more seed packets as art than I have grown...lol!

This is the year and I'm committing...you're all witness!!! Its my testimony and I have to stick with it! I'm looking forward to this learning journey and hope you will join me and share any insights along the way!

This week I am building my small salvaged garden bed with removable cold-frame top. As well as learning...Which seeds on my above list I should be sowing first?

Its going to be a wonderful, productive week and can't wait to post about this soon!!!

Cheers
Julia xx

Seattle's first edible food forest!

The Beacon Hill Edible Food Forest in Seattle is due to open this year and the prospect of foraging for locally grown wild food is making me giddy with excitement! What's even more exciting is that it is located a short 10mins away. This is to be built in stages, while still in the planning stage, committees are forming and funding is being raised. 

Full seven acre proposal to be built over the next few years.

Photo courtesy of Harrison Design/BeaconFoodForest.com

There seems to be no official opening date, but will be watching and posting further developments on this like a hawk! Please check out the links for more info on this exciting local, sustainable undertaking.

http://beaconfoodforest.weebly.com