Annuals

March 2024

Oh So Very Seedy!

I went to my pal Margaret Lauterbach for advice to share with you aboutvegetable gardens. Some of you have read her column for 25 years, and some
have her books on vegetable gardening in the Treasure Valley. She was ready,
able, and willing to lay it out for us. In a nutshell:

“Instructions for veggie gardeners should include a caveat about starting tomato
seeds too soon, they’ll be leggy and breaking if started in February. You can start
Alliums, cabbage, kale, collards, broccoli, Piracicaba and even lettuce in February
because they can be set out and tolerate frost. Margaret starts eggplant and
peppers in February because they’re slow growers and can wait until June 1
without getting leggy. Some South American Aji peppers/chiles grow into tall
shrubs, so watch out for that eventuality.

I try to wait until at least mid-March before sowing tomato seed. But it is a
good idea to organize seed packets so you’ll know what you have and what you
still have to buy or trade for.” Margaret

Margaret also suggested we forgo the windowsill as a light source, and remarked
we should go right on to the cold frame if possible. Now, I know some of you
die-hards have complete growing setups in the house, complete with grow lights,
heat mats, thermometers, humidity sensors…the works. And some of you have
actual greenhouses. I am, of course, green with envy. Go with those. The problem
with windowsills is they aren’t enough.

My process is pretty simple. First, as in this week, I gather up all the remaining
seeds from last year. Yes, there are a few packets from a couple of years beyond
that, but I don’t count on them. And I don’t have time –or the patience – to test
each packet of seeds for viability. So, when in doubt, buy a fresh new packet of
seeds. Better yet, trade with fellow gardeners. And buy now while the selection is
good. In the last few years, we have seen shortages in some seed selections.

Second, take a long, hard look at those seeds and decide whether or not you want
to start plants from seed or pick up a 6 pack of tomato plants at a nursery/garden
store. And ask yourself, do you truly have room for a crop of corn or cantaloupe
vines trailing around the back patio? There is no shame in getting fresh corn on
the cob from the guy on the corner or the fruit stand. Ditto your melons.

Tomatoes, now, if you have enough sun…I love to eat a tomato right off the plant.
Lettuces and greens, and herbs are fun to grow, and you will get a big kick out of
growing your own salad. Most herbs are tough as nails, do not require much
water, and love the heat. Basil is an outlier here, it is tender, it needs a bit more
water, and it needs more attention.

Third, gather the gear. This includes planting trays, heat mats, Jumbo pots (20
inches in diameter), and I like a to use big plastic storage boxes with lids are mini
greenhouses. Grow lights, too.

Now, get out there and get growing!