22 Jan Sun 2012
I want to Grow My Own
Maybe instead of a CSA you want to grow your own garden. If you live in an area like I do you can easily find the basic seeds, cabbage, corn, beans, lettuce, eggplant etc but how about things like celeriac, Jicama, Cardoons, heirloom tomatoes etc. To get these things you really have to grow your own and usually buy the seeds on the web. I use organic seeds so some sites I buy from are.
www.jonnyseeds.com , www.seedsofchange.com , www.seedsavers.org , www.tomatofest.com
Most of the seeds will say when to plant for example some of my tomato seeds say "start 6 weeks before last frost". This means you will have to know when the last frost date is. To find this just search for USDA hardness zones and find where you live on the map and your "zone" or you can shearch by last frost date for _____ (your state, county etc). Once you know this date you will know when to start your seedlings.
I have found you really only need a few supplies. I mix a big bucket of 75% coconut coir hydrated in warm water ( I buy this on the web) 20% potting soil and 5% worm castings. I have my own red worms that make this for me. After punching holes in the bottom with a sharp knife, I fill left over yogurt containers 2/3 full of the mixture, (I have the name of what I am planting written on the container before I fill it). I put two seeds of what I want to plant in each container and put the lid back on to keep in the moisture. The lid is only to stay on till the seeds sprout , then remove the lids. I place the containers on a plastic tray that sits on top of an old electric blanket that has plastic on top. I find this was a lot cheaper then buying the comercial heating pads for plants. You must make sure you keep the blanket dry and check it often for wiring problems etc. Once the seedilings have started to sprout they go under the grow lights to keep them from becoming leggy. Once sprouted DO NOT over water. it is better they are a little on the dry side then wet.
Before planting you will then have to harden them off. About a week before you plan on putting them in their perment home. Set the containers in a sheltered, shady spot outdoors. For example under a leafy tree or on a porch. Each day expose the plants to a little more sun, by the end of the week they should be able to safely be planted in your garden.
Enjoy those fresh veggies!