Still too early to get into the patch. I did spend a couple of days getting my weather page up and running. It had been out of commission since I upgraded my computer this winter. Check it out clicking here.
April 9th,
I was able to get the planting pits dug yesterday. I had scraped off all the leaf litter so that the ground had dried out a little bit. It was still too wet to till but I was able to get the pits dug. I dug a planting pit 4x4x2 feet in size and then filled it with compost, leaves and soil.
I will also be changing my seed lineup for the year. I just bought an 869.5 Calai at an auction. I told myself I wasn't going to buy any more expensive seeds but I want this for the orange fruit it produces as well as the genetic potential for crosses. Not sure what plant will not make it into the patch but I suspect I will not plant the 1233 Reiss at is is the only unproven seed that I was going to plant this year.
670 Daigle 1225 Jutras
869.5 Calai 1 of these leaning toward the 1069 (1069 Liggett, 1016 Daletas,846 Jutras, 1048 Companion)
1101 Northrup
April 11th,
Deep forked one greenhouse and then tilled it with the new tiller. It took about 5 minutes with the new tiller compared to over an hour with the walk behind. I don't know if the deep fork is needed but it can't hurt, as long as my hands hold out and I don't get blisters. I'd like to have the greenhouses up by the 23rd. This would give the soil a week to ten days before planting the seeds to warm up.
April 23rd, THE SEASON BEGINS TODAY!!!!!!
The greenhouses went up yesterday. All six are now up and ready to roll. Actually it will be a week or so before the pumpkins go out. This will give the chance for the soil to warm up. A sure way to make it snow is to put the pumpkins out. It's guaranteed to work.
Filed the seeds this morning and put them into soak. Will wrap in towels until the roots show. I need to get the pots ready to go and in the incubator so that the soil is warm before I plant the seeds. Typically takes 24-48 hours for the root tip to show up.
The 869 hasn't arrived yet. Tried to email the sender and no response. Watch the seed show up in three weeks. I started the 670 Daigle, 1101 Northrup, 1225 Jutras, 1048 Companion, and the 1069 Liggett. This will give me a backup if needed. My daughter started the 1273 Howard, My son is going green with the 848 MacKenzie, and the 756 Kennedy. I also started several 504's and an 810 of my own for backups and neighbors.
April 25th,
The 670 Daigle and 1225 Jutras were both showing roots this evening and were planted in pots. One of my 504's was showing this morning and planted as well.
April 27th,
The 1101 and 1048 both sprouted roots yesterday. The first 504 is out of the ground. The 1069 and 1273 are still not showing any signs of life. Perhaps I'm rushing it a little but I went ahead and soaked backup seeds, the 1233 Reiss for myself and the 689 Sandercock, and 981 Zunino for her. Still can't get the relays working for the greenhouse temp. sensors.
April 30th,
The 1069 and 1273 never did germinate. The three backups have all put down roots and have been potted. All the first batch are now up and should be planted in the next day or two. Blake's 848 is up, but the 756 shows no sign of life. He soaked another 756 and is waiting for it to start. I'm leaving town the later part of this week so I would like to get the plants in before then. More importantly I need to get the plants in the ground before the leaves start to burn like they always do if they are kept in the grow box.