23 days later and the radishes are perhaps the size of my thumbnail. Needless to say, they're going to be in the ground quite a bit longer.
My cucumbers haven't germinated at all, I want my $1.91 back.
To my dismay, my friends' squashes are growing ridiculously well. Out of the 10 seeds planted, 6 germinated, one of which soon after mysteriously disappeared.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Friday, August 27, 2010
Some More Faux-Toes
Radishes growing in their pots/planters. I'll post photos once I harvest them too. The ones in the pot were photographed 15 days after sowing, the larger planter was photographed 8 days after sowing. They're apparently ready to eat in 23 days.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Photo Evidence!
There are only a few things in bloom in the garden right now, but I thought I would show some proof.
Jethro Tull Coreopsis  | Sunfire Coreopsis  |
Globe Amaranth  | Grain Amaranth  |
Blue Fortune Anise-Hyssop  | |
Gladiolus   | |
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Salt and Pepper to Taste
I've just realized the shear joy that growing my own Black Pepper plant would bring. In contrast, it's disappointing that I can't grow my own salt.
That further made me think of all of the delightful things that I can't grow in my climate, like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and meyer lemons. Further research brough me to find the existance of a type of a hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata). Although the fruit is not really good for eating, the multi-season interest and twisted thorns make it something I'd like to try growing, especially the dwarf variety. Unfortunately, I can't find anywhere in Canada to buy a young tree, help?
That further made me think of all of the delightful things that I can't grow in my climate, like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and meyer lemons. Further research brough me to find the existance of a type of a hardy orange (Poncirus trifoliata). Although the fruit is not really good for eating, the multi-season interest and twisted thorns make it something I'd like to try growing, especially the dwarf variety. Unfortunately, I can't find anywhere in Canada to buy a young tree, help?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Vegetables are better from your own yard.
A trip with a friend to my local nursery brought him back with a packet of Early Golden Summer Crookneck Squash seeds and me with a packet of Chicago Pickling Cucumber. We both planted them today and come mid-October we will both hopefully have some lovely container grown veggies along with photo proof.
RADDISH UPDATE! The fifth of five planted radishes has sprouted and the others are already starting on their second set of true leaves. I've also sown another 33 seeds in a larger planted, of which 26 have come up as of day 5.
In awkward conversations its customary to bring up the weather, I must follow the tradition. After months of heat and dry weather the last three days have been overcast and heavy raining, perfect for the newly planted grass but not vegetables. End of awkward conversation.
Because I have to: QQMHBATXUJTY
RADDISH UPDATE! The fifth of five planted radishes has sprouted and the others are already starting on their second set of true leaves. I've also sown another 33 seeds in a larger planted, of which 26 have come up as of day 5.
In awkward conversations its customary to bring up the weather, I must follow the tradition. After months of heat and dry weather the last three days have been overcast and heavy raining, perfect for the newly planted grass but not vegetables. End of awkward conversation.
Because I have to: QQMHBATXUJTY
Monday, August 16, 2010
Summer's Close
Well... not just yet.
Some of my seedlings grew into nice plants which I'll photograph and post I suppose. The grow lights they were under for their first few weeks of life really ensured a much larger quantity to survive than my attempt without it.
Vegetablez PWN! I decided to get some raddish seeds (French breakfast variety), simply because I get hundreds of seeds for $1.91 and from the day I sow their seeds to the day I can eat them is just over 3 weeks. I sowed a whopping 5 seeds, 5 days ago and 4 of them have sprouted thus far.
I've also decided I want to grow garlic next year. My lack of suitable full-sun gardening space will force me to do container gardening which is alright for small batches. Maybe I'll try other vegetables, salad greens perhaps.
Last thing worth mentioning is that the first harvested Japanese eggplant of the season was delicious. Split among my household it fed everyone a whole 4 bites.
In other news, much to yours and my dismay I've put AdSense on this blog. I figure maybe I'll get a few cents to buy more seeds. Worth a shot so sorry for ruining your view.
Some of my seedlings grew into nice plants which I'll photograph and post I suppose. The grow lights they were under for their first few weeks of life really ensured a much larger quantity to survive than my attempt without it.
Vegetablez PWN! I decided to get some raddish seeds (French breakfast variety), simply because I get hundreds of seeds for $1.91 and from the day I sow their seeds to the day I can eat them is just over 3 weeks. I sowed a whopping 5 seeds, 5 days ago and 4 of them have sprouted thus far.
I've also decided I want to grow garlic next year. My lack of suitable full-sun gardening space will force me to do container gardening which is alright for small batches. Maybe I'll try other vegetables, salad greens perhaps.
Last thing worth mentioning is that the first harvested Japanese eggplant of the season was delicious. Split among my household it fed everyone a whole 4 bites.
In other news, much to yours and my dismay I've put AdSense on this blog. I figure maybe I'll get a few cents to buy more seeds. Worth a shot so sorry for ruining your view.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
It's Hot Outside.
I thought I should post something, not like anyone cares though.
Upon returning from a 3 week vacation I've decided that I will never entrust my mother to look after my plants in my absence. One of my lavenders and my Japanese rose bush have both parished due to under watering in the blistering GTA heat. I think the places I bought them from came with some sort of guarantee so I'll try exchanging them for fresh new plants.
In other news, my only eggplant so far that has begun to grow was eaten about halfway to maturity by some sort of animal, and the only piece left was a piece of the skin a few feet away from the crime scene. Most flowers never get pollinated because the flowers are very delicate and I tend to find them on the ground.
I've taken apart the Aerogarden, cleaned it and planted another season of herbs: Dill, Epazote, Mint, Napolitano Basil, Red Rubin Basil, Thai Basil and Lemon Basil. No time-lapse this time. If I find the time I'm planning on finding an old digital camera, possibly one with a broken screen that no one wants, and hacking it with an Arduino microcontroller so I can have it take time-lapse photos with a better quality camera.
Upon returning from a 3 week vacation I've decided that I will never entrust my mother to look after my plants in my absence. One of my lavenders and my Japanese rose bush have both parished due to under watering in the blistering GTA heat. I think the places I bought them from came with some sort of guarantee so I'll try exchanging them for fresh new plants.
In other news, my only eggplant so far that has begun to grow was eaten about halfway to maturity by some sort of animal, and the only piece left was a piece of the skin a few feet away from the crime scene. Most flowers never get pollinated because the flowers are very delicate and I tend to find them on the ground.
I've taken apart the Aerogarden, cleaned it and planted another season of herbs: Dill, Epazote, Mint, Napolitano Basil, Red Rubin Basil, Thai Basil and Lemon Basil. No time-lapse this time. If I find the time I'm planning on finding an old digital camera, possibly one with a broken screen that no one wants, and hacking it with an Arduino microcontroller so I can have it take time-lapse photos with a better quality camera.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Backyard Project - Part 2
After planning it during the winter months, it was finally time to begin construction. I changed the shape of the existing flower bed, enlarging it a little bit, than tilled the soil, slapped on 600 Litres of new soil and planted the few things that I've bought. You can't really see what I planted in the video, but most of it was roots or bulbs anyways. Now as I make visits to the local nurseries in the next few weeks I'll be able to just plop them into the ground as I get them.
I made another time-lapse video during the 3.225 hours I was working on it, taking a photo every 15 seconds and playing it back at 30 fps.
I made another time-lapse video during the 3.225 hours I was working on it, taking a photo every 15 seconds and playing it back at 30 fps.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Spring Planting!
The early arrival of spring this year is an absolute joy! I can embark on my backyard project probably 2 weeks earlier than expected. I've already begun uprooting raspberry plants, cutting back roses and clematis and the other usual spring garden maintenance.
Today I am going to sow 12 varieties of plants, 8 plugs each in a plug tray. Proably 2-3 seeds per plug to be even more specific. I will be planting Carpatica Blue Bellflower, Garden Sage, Lemonella Balm, Garden Sorrel, Greek Oregano, French Thyme, Grande Chives, Italian Parsely, Pink Sweet, African Wormwood, Bitter Candytuft and the seeds that some tall pink-flowered tree living at my grandmothers' produced.
Update, May 12:
At least one of every seed type came up except for thyme. Although probably a week late, I've transplanted all the seedlings into small bio-degradable pots. Picture below!
Today I am going to sow 12 varieties of plants, 8 plugs each in a plug tray. Proably 2-3 seeds per plug to be even more specific. I will be planting Carpatica Blue Bellflower, Garden Sage, Lemonella Balm, Garden Sorrel, Greek Oregano, French Thyme, Grande Chives, Italian Parsely, Pink Sweet, African Wormwood, Bitter Candytuft and the seeds that some tall pink-flowered tree living at my grandmothers' produced.
Update, May 12:
At least one of every seed type came up except for thyme. Although probably a week late, I've transplanted all the seedlings into small bio-degradable pots. Picture below!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Backyard Garden Plant List
So after a grueling process, I have designed my first plant bed which I will put into action this spring. My backyard gets morning sun in the summer for maybe 4-5 hours, so after finding plants that satisfy that, and the zone requirement (6a) I have come up with a garden that hopefully will provide some sort of interest in most seasons, and my main colour scheme is white and purple with yellow and red accents. I have tracked down where I can purchase all the plants listed and they are all perenials.
* White Lilac
* Hedgehog Rose
* Gooseneck Loosestrife
* Some sort of Hosta
* Lance-leaved coreopsis
* False Blue Indigo
* Crested Iris, among other varieties
* Creeping Chamomile
* Anise-Hyssop
* English Lavender
* White Wood Aster
* Corydalis
I took the dimensions of my garden bed and came up with this, which doesn't include some of the exact plants I want, but is (very) roughly my idea
* White Lilac
* Hedgehog Rose
* Gooseneck Loosestrife
* Some sort of Hosta
* Lance-leaved coreopsis
* False Blue Indigo
* Crested Iris, among other varieties
* Creeping Chamomile
* Anise-Hyssop
* English Lavender
* White Wood Aster
* Corydalis
I took the dimensions of my garden bed and came up with this, which doesn't include some of the exact plants I want, but is (very) roughly my idea
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time Lapse Video
Edited and completed time-lapse to include 46.18 days:
Notes: There are a few points in time that the camera was moved either accidentally by people other than me that can't seem to watch where they're going or intentionally by me to fix the mistake or move back the camera. Basil started being cut back on around day 30 because it was much too tall. Parsley is the one in the back that did not grow at all. According to the company, they're guaranteed to come up...
The song in the video was made by me too :)
Notes: There are a few points in time that the camera was moved either accidentally by people other than me that can't seem to watch where they're going or intentionally by me to fix the mistake or move back the camera. Basil started being cut back on around day 30 because it was much too tall. Parsley is the one in the back that did not grow at all. According to the company, they're guaranteed to come up...
The song in the video was made by me too :)
Monday, February 8, 2010
Aerogarden!
For my birthday, I received a 7-pod Aerogarden in the mail to my surprise. It basically is an aeroponic (not hydroponic) system that pumps water (with a nutrient solution) through to each plant. It has special full spectrum fluorescent grow bulbs as well.
Today is 4 days later and each of the 7 herbs (Genovese Basil, Oregano, Thyme, Chives, Parsely, Savory and Sage) has sprouted, most notabley the ones below. For fun I have a webcam focused on the system taking a photo once an hour which I will stitch together once theres more significant changes and will post it here.
Flowers in the Peat
I got a handy little starting kit with 12 peat pellets in a container with a removable clear plastic lid. The first week of February may be a little early to start seedlings indoors, but I decided to do it anyways. I decided to plant flowers because I tried last year and they all died shortly after coming up. I believe their condition was 'bolting' meaning they came up too quickly so they had a thin weak stem that basically snapped. I think that's already happening to the one almost horizontal plant in the picture below. The first two flowers on the list had a sell by date of 15 months before I planted them.
I planted:
Blue Enchantment Morning Glories
California Poppies (Sunset blend)
Globe Amaranths
Pink Sweets ('Rainbow Loveliness' Dianthus)
Evening Stocks
After 3 days the Morning Glories started to pop up, and today, day 6, still remain to be the only ones:
Update: The poppies and pinks came up fast and died within a week. The evening stocks didn't do anything. One out of about 4 morning glories that came up is still living, and both planted amaranths are alive and strong!
Update 2 (April 25): The lonely morning glory has perished, for what appears to be no apparent reason but that's probably not so.
You can see my crocuses and peonies coming up in the background :)
Update 3 (May 23): One of the two amaranths has shrivelled and died. :(
I planted:
Blue Enchantment Morning Glories
California Poppies (Sunset blend)
Globe Amaranths
Pink Sweets ('Rainbow Loveliness' Dianthus)
Evening Stocks
After 3 days the Morning Glories started to pop up, and today, day 6, still remain to be the only ones:
Update: The poppies and pinks came up fast and died within a week. The evening stocks didn't do anything. One out of about 4 morning glories that came up is still living, and both planted amaranths are alive and strong!
Update 2 (April 25): The lonely morning glory has perished, for what appears to be no apparent reason but that's probably not so.
You can see my crocuses and peonies coming up in the background :)
Update 3 (May 23): One of the two amaranths has shrivelled and died. :(
Continuing from 2009
Out of the plants that survived, here's some tidbits of information about last years crop:
I dried mint, african wormwood, tansy and bitter candytuft for use as teas which taste much better than I expected. They all have some medicinal properties. Making a very bitter tea out of wormwood is a bit of an anti-depressant and an energizer for anyone needing to stay awake while studying or something. It really works, I tried it once.
My lemonella balm perished tragically for what appeared to be no reason a couple of weeks ago.
My Japanese Eggplant didn't grow that much last season and since it's an annual (i think) I brought it inside where it's slowly been getting bigger and I noticed today that it had a single purple flower on it! Once the weather gets warmed I'll be sticking it in the ground and hopefully get a couple of eggplants before it dies in the fall.
I dried mint, african wormwood, tansy and bitter candytuft for use as teas which taste much better than I expected. They all have some medicinal properties. Making a very bitter tea out of wormwood is a bit of an anti-depressant and an energizer for anyone needing to stay awake while studying or something. It really works, I tried it once.
My lemonella balm perished tragically for what appeared to be no reason a couple of weeks ago.
My Japanese Eggplant didn't grow that much last season and since it's an annual (i think) I brought it inside where it's slowly been getting bigger and I noticed today that it had a single purple flower on it! Once the weather gets warmed I'll be sticking it in the ground and hopefully get a couple of eggplants before it dies in the fall.
Hello
Hi there, reader.
So I'm an inexperienced teenage gardener who after buying an assorted pack of pre-sprouted herbs at Costco two years ago became very interested in gardening. Last year I bought seeds for about 25 different culinary/medicinal herbs and flowers from Richters and although only a third of them survived and were harvested that didn't stunt my determination. I'm back this year after a subscription to Fine Gardening magazine, lots of online research and a night course in horticulture.
If you ever have any questions I'll try my best to give you an informed answer, and I'll also be impressed that someone out there has stumbled upon my blog.
So I'm an inexperienced teenage gardener who after buying an assorted pack of pre-sprouted herbs at Costco two years ago became very interested in gardening. Last year I bought seeds for about 25 different culinary/medicinal herbs and flowers from Richters and although only a third of them survived and were harvested that didn't stunt my determination. I'm back this year after a subscription to Fine Gardening magazine, lots of online research and a night course in horticulture.
If you ever have any questions I'll try my best to give you an informed answer, and I'll also be impressed that someone out there has stumbled upon my blog.
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