Eggplant leaves that measure 8 inches in length!

The first delicate, white blossoms of peppers.

More okra… I wasn’t even sure it would grow. I’m glad I tried!

Though a bit smaller [...]]]>

It seems all at once everything has changed in the indoor garden. A week’s distraction has revealed:

Eggplant leaves that measure 8 inches in length!

The first delicate, white blossoms of peppers.

More okra… I wasn’t even sure it would grow. I’m glad I tried!

Though a bit smaller grown indoors, silverbeet tender and delicious.

Pretty pink blossoms as sweetly scented as the white.

Wong Bok’s central heads forming. I’m gladly making room for the ever-spreading rosettes.

Silvery Fir Tree tomatoes…a lot of them.

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The first indoor garden bloom prize goes to Lobularia maritima (Alyssum).

46 days after the tomato seeds were planted indoors:

Coming in a close second is "Silvery Fir Tree" heirloom tomato.

Happy “First Day of Winter” everyone!

-Joseph Addison

The week went quickly. Rochester saw its first snow, but it melted and hasn’t (yet) returned. It made cutting down the Christmas tree a bit easier Saturday, but the bit of magic that snow adds to the holidays was missed. [...]]]>

Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.

-Joseph Addison

The week went quickly. Rochester saw its first snow, but it melted and hasn’t (yet) returned. It made cutting down the Christmas tree a bit easier Saturday, but the bit of magic that snow adds to the holidays was missed. Well, it was missed by me anyway!

The indoor garden had another “first”. Actually, it’s the same “first” as last time, but multiplied. Fruit flies. One or two were easily managed. Clouds of them alit on every surface was…well… gross. I did some observing and noticed most seemed to be settled on the soil and not the plant itself. I also noticed that the soil was moist in the infested areas.

First step: cover the damp soil. I scattered a healthy handful of sterilized potting mix over each pot’s surface.

Dry soil surface deter pesky fruit flies.

Second step: get rid of the pesky buggers. I filled a bowl with a splash of water mixed with a splash of orange juice (no need to be exact here) and set it on the shelf. Results:

Juice and water. Organic solution to fruit flies.

Last step: find the source. I narrowed it down to the flat of marigolds with the greatest surface area. I placed the plastic lid on the top and checked an hour later. Sure enough, it was crawling with activity. A quick trip outside to remove the lid and the plants worked. The marigolds are in separate pots and the flat was sterilized with hot water and a bit of bleach before being stored. As I write this there are a few loners left that are converging on the freshly filled bowl of orange water. No chemicals needed. Nature has an answer for everything!

As for the plants themselves, the Silver Fir Tree tomatoes and Kailaan are reaching new heights and graduated to the top shelf. The Wong Bok has beautiful spreading rosettes that have me thinking they may not have been the wisest choice for indoor growing space-wise. They’ll spread to about 18″ across at maturity. They’re thriving thus far and hardening them off for outdoors would be tricky so a table is the best solution when the time comes. Everything is a learning process in the indoor garden.

Wong Bok rosettes will spread to 18" at maturity.

Speaking of a learning process, we’ve decided to let the birds forage in our yard this winter…no feeders. Our yard was planted with natural habitat in mind, filled with flowers, shrubs and vines that would provide shelter and food for birds and animals. Insecurity led to additional feeders the past few years. Convinced by a knowledgeable and avid birder to stop “fake feeding” I hope the birds don’t suffer from the change. I’ll keep you posted. At the very least it is a good reminder to us all that nature has an order we should strive to work with and not to alter to suit us. Lesson learned.

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-Virgil A. Kraft

Spring’s green vegetables are the best tonic after winter’s long freeze. Spinach, broccoli, onions and peas are among the earliest and easiest crops to grow when the snows recede. It’s possible enjoy fresh greens in early May and [...]]]>

“Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.”

-Virgil A. Kraft

Spring’s green vegetables are the best tonic after winter’s long freeze. Spinach, broccoli, onions and peas are among the earliest and easiest crops to grow when the snows recede. It’s possible enjoy fresh greens in early May and home-grown vegetables by late June. Enrich the soil with organic compost the fall before to ensure the earliest possible planting

These vegetables thrive in cool temperatures and full sun. Shade protection from afternoon sun for the broccoli and spinach will keep the plants from “bolting” (going to seed and becoming inedible) when early summer arrives. Mine are planted where the shade of a large tree covers the bed for a few hours midday. Without shade, a mulch of organic grass clippings will keep the soil moist and cool. Green plants thrive on nitrogen, blood meal is an excellent organic source. Use it as a side-dressing midway through growth, sprinkling 1 Tbsp. along the base of the plants and working into the soil gently.

Sugar snap peas on a trellis.

Peas: (Pisum sativum) Virtually pest free and easy to grow in most soils. Peas are ready to pick after 55-75 days.

• To plant: Rake a furrow 16″ wide and 3″ deep in moist (NOT soggy) soil and scatter the peas evenly across, covering the bottom of the furrow (if your soil is too heavy to work in early spring consider building a raised bed). Gently water the peas just until moistened and sprinkle with inoculant if using. Cover with soil, keep moist until germination. Plant new rows every week in early spring while the weather is cool.
• Pests: Peas aren’t bothered by insects. Chipmunks, voles etc. may steal the seeds and birds or rabbits may nip the tops of the peas as they appear above the ground. A screen secured over the row will deter critters, use a foliar spray to deter the birds and rabbits.
• Tips: No matter the variety, all peas require support. Trellises and fences are ideal for the long vining varieties. Short twiggy brush is a popular (and free) option for most gardeners. Push into the ground along the row and the peas will climb readily. As the peas flower keep the bed watered and mulched to keep the soil moist, taking care not to water the leaves. Peas are ideal for planting in intensive (close spaced) beds.
• Seed saving: Allow one 5′ double row of a single variety to fully ripen and dry on the vines. Shell and store in a dark, cool place.

Spinach: (Spinacia oleracea) Easily grown in the cool spring garden. Ready to pick after 43-50 days.

• To plant: Prepare the row as soon as possible in spring. (If spring thaws are late in your area, the seed can be planted the fall before and mulched through winter. Remove the mulch in spring.) Rake a shallow furrow 1/4″-1/2″ deep (no deeper) and sprinkle with composted manure or blood meal. Plant the seeds 1″ apart and cover with soil. Tamp down and water. When seedlings appear, thin to stand 6″ apart in every direction.
• Pests: Flea beetles and cutworms. Protect the plants with row covers or use foliar spray for the flea beetles. Bt is an organic pesticide used to control damaging grubs, caterpillars etc., use only when absolutely necessary. Cutworms can be found when weeding and eliminated by hand. Rabbits can be deterred by sprinkling blood meal along the row. It nourishes the spinach with nitrogen and rabbits fear the odor.
• Tips: After harvesting the first leaves, fertilize lightly with fish emulsion or liquid kelp. To start seeds for a late summer planting, germinate between damp pieces of paper towel first. Plant as before.
• Seed saving: Choose plants with large leaves and bolted late to save seed from. Allow seeds to fully develop before picking.

Home-grown organic broccoli.

Broccoli: (Brassica oleracea) Early spring seedlings must be started indoors and will be ready to harvest in 55-98 days.

• To plant: To start seeds indoors see instructions here. Prepare the bed with plenty of organic compost and manure the fall before. Dig a holes deep enough to plant the seedlings up to their bottom leaves, 18″ apart in every direction. Firm the soil around the base and sprinkle with a mix of bone and blood meal. Gently work in with a rake. Mulch with grass clippings.
• Pests: Cutworms are deterred by placing a “collar” around the base of the plants that extends into the soil. A paper towel tube works well. White “Cabbage butterfly” larvae will chew the foliage. Row covers work best, Bt can be used for control if the infestation is severe. Use foliar sprays for animal pests.
• Tips: Plant in a slightly shaded area to extend the growing season, After the main head is cut, several side-shoots will continue to grow before heat causes the plant to bolt. Birds love the flowers and seeds.
• Seed saving: Two or more plants may be needed to produce seed. Allow the plants to flower and fully develop seed pods. Pull up the plant and hang upside down in a well-aired space. When the pods are completely brittle harvest the seeds and store.

Heirloom onion seedlings.

Onions: Very easy to start from seed indoors for spring planting. Harvest in 92-115 days.

• To plant: To start seeds indoors follow above link. Onion seeds must be started early, around February. Prepare a bed with composted manure, compost, bone and blood meal worked into the top 6″-8″ of the soil. Plant the seedlings 2″ apart in rows 6″ apart.
• Pests: None.
• Tips: Plant onions at least 4′” in from the edge of the bed to prevent the tender roots from being trampled along the path.
• Seed saving: Store healthy bulbs over winter in a cool dark area. Re-plant in spring, spacing closely, and allow to flower. The brittle stalks may break, take care to suport them. When the black seeds are apparent, cut the seedball and dry for several weeks. Gently rub off the seeds.

I’d like to mention to all of you northeast gardeners that the Hudson Valley Seed Library (www.seedlibrary.org) is offering annual gift memberships for $20. It includes a one year membership and 10 packets of heirloom seeds (your choice). The idea is that you will grow the heirloom plants and save seeds for yourself and also return some to the library. In return they give you credit toward next year’s membership fee. The goal is to eventually have 100% of the seeds grown in NYS. Heirloom plants are wonderful, having access to seeds grown sustainably in the Northeast is priceless. Consider supporting them!

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Annie Dillard

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving!  Black Friday shopping lust is in full swing for many…all the more reason to stay home, sip tea and spend time in the indoor garden. It was a day of “firsts” for the garden today. I [...]]]>

‘How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.”

Annie Dillard

Happy day-after-Thanksgiving!  Black Friday shopping lust is in full swing for many…all the more reason to stay home, sip tea and spend time in the indoor garden. It was a day of “firsts” for the garden today. I cut the first of the lettuce to use on turkey sandwiches for lunch. How strange to snip lettuces in the spare bedroom and carry them to the kitchen! It was fresh, organic and just wonderful!

I also observed the first “pest” in the garden. A small fruit fly buzzing near the tomatoes. It was easily taken care of but a reminder that indoor growing has it’s own cares and concerns. I followed the discovery with a spritzing of chamomile tea on all of the seedlings to deter any chewing insects. The Chinese broccoli (Kailaan) needed re-potting today as well so there are five more pots on the shelf this afternoon. The rest of my puttering today consisted of bottom-watering/fertilizing nearly everything except the okra. I was pleased to see the Five Color Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) has emerged, I love the bright colors of the stems and chard is one of my favorite greens.

Kailaan seedling.

Bright stems of Five Color Silverbeet.

With the garden chores completed I had time to look through my knitting patterns. I’m making more fingerless mittens for my daughter and her friends this year. They were quite popular last year when she gave them paired with a contrasting pair of stretch-knit gloves to layer underneath. They’re perfect for gift giving, too, one skein of bulky yarn makes two pair and they knit up quickly. I need to make myself a few pair for spring garden chores, they keep my hands warm but my fingers are free for planting peas etc.

Wear alone or with a stretch-knit glove underneath.

Not to be left out, the kids were crafty this afternoon as well. Paper ornaments and hand-stamped garden markers were easy to make and they enjoyed matching them with the recipients. They even picked out seeds for a “children’s garden” as a gift for a family friend to plant this spring with her new grandchild.

It was a nice way to spend a dreary and cold Friday here in Rochester. I admit I’d rather be home than fighting off angry mobs of shoppers anyday. The good news is… so would our kids!

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Gardening is my favorite distraction, and the indoor garden is proving to be a wonderful November alternative to its declining outdoor relative. I always intend to check the indoor garden quickly, but ultimately I am drawn in and spend an hour or more puttering [...]]]>

Nature is the art of God.  ~Thomas Browne

Gardening is my favorite distraction, and the indoor garden is proving to be a wonderful November alternative to its declining outdoor relative. I always intend to check the indoor garden quickly, but ultimately I am drawn in and spend an hour or more puttering around watering, adjusting lights and just looking. Everyday there is something new to see and I am amazed by it all!

Red tinges on a radicchio leaf.

Today offered a reason for spending a while in the garden, the plants needed re-potting. With my assortment of clean saved and salvaged pots and compost mix (as well as our Yorkie, Bogey, to keep me company) I got to work and after an hour I was finished. Transplanting is easy (see here) when the seedlings are still small and roots haven’t intertwined into a tangle.

Bogey, my faithful companion.

I started with the greens. Kailaan, Tatsoi and Wong Bok were planted into a large tub about 2″ apart. The salad greens went into a second tub, the third holds radicchio. The tomatoes are potted separately and planted up to their bottom leaves. New roots will grow along the stem. Vegetables that grow upright (as opposed to growing in rosettes, like lettuce) should be planted the same way.

With true leaves beginning to develop on most of the seedlings, it’s time to begin bottom-watering the pots. The pots sit in trays that will be filled with an inch of water every few minutes until the soil in each pot is moist. The soil is allowed to dry a bit between waterings. When the true leaves have fully emerged, diluted fertilizer will be added to the watering routine every couple of weeks.

With the indoor garden tended to, I had time to bake a two loaves of oatmeal honey wheat bread. I love baking bread and nothing tastes better with dinner. Look for the recipe Wednesday with the other Thanksgiving recipes, the bread is wonderful for making home-made stuffing with fresh herbs!

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~Walt Streightiff

I’ve gained an “apprentice” in the indoor garden. Our 12 year-old son is fascinated with the vegetable and herb seedlings growing under lights. His interests lean towards science and technology so he’s assigned [...]]]>

There are not seven wonders of the world in the eyes of a child.  There are seven million.

~Walt Streightiff

I’ve gained an “apprentice” in the indoor garden. Our 12 year-old son is fascinated with the vegetable and herb seedlings growing under lights. His interests lean towards science and technology so he’s assigned himself as “data collector”. Also, “light adjuster” and “heating pad monitor”. Also, I think he may be my “boss” now…HAHA! Training up a next-generation organic grower right in our spare bedroom! COOL.

Sign courtesy of Andrew Gustavson

Who wouldn’t be fascinated by the dark green and fuzzy okra seedlings? They’re beautiful! They’re also quickly outgrowing the newsplug and will need to be re-potted tomorrow. Time to get the rest of the lights up! The mesclun and radicchio are also ready for transplanting. It doesn’t take long, does it?

Outside today it was time to insulate the compost pile. A thick layer of leaves and pond debris on and around the pile keep it insulated from winter’s cold and deter rodents from digging. A tarp serves the same purpose, as long as air can circulate to keep things “cooking”. It also keeps the nutrients from washing away when the spring rains arrive.

With the outside garden finishing up I’m looking ahead to what the indoor garden will bring. I’m hoping there’s space enough to add more herbs to use for tea and cooking this winter. I’d like fresh chives, savory, marjoram, lavender and chamomile. The gardener’s eternal quest to squeeze in just a few more plants…

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