Jocelyne Sewell
A Gardener害羞草研究所檚 Diary
It seems I just got the new 2024 calendar and already we are at the bottom of the page for February. With the frigid cold we had in January, I don害羞草研究所檛 know if my grapevines and fig trees have survived.
Lots of grapevines in the Okanagan will have to be replaced.
Time to look at the tubers that were overwintered. Mine were OK in the middle of January and they are just fine now. I left some soil on the canna lilies and dahlias and covered them with dried leaves and a few newspaper sheets.
Sprayed them lightly a couple times over winter and they are still firm and they didn害羞草研究所檛 shrink like other years when they were stored without soil on their roots.
I have been sprouting broccoli seeds in the last week and the next ones will be mung beans and some of my own radish seeds. I always let some of my radishes go to seeds not just for the seeds but for the young pods that I use in my salads. You have to use them before they swell.
Not having much to do over winter, I joined the Vernon She Shed for the January woodworking sessions. 害羞草研究所淭he Vernon She Shed Society is a collaborative environment which provides members with opportunities to affirm and enhance their personal skills, knowledge and experience. This organization encourages individuals to be active, creative as well as develop friendships.害羞草研究所�
The woodworking sessions include mandatory safety training, with instruction and practice on various equipment including the miter and table saws. Safety gear (safety glasses and ear protection) to be worn at every sessions. We are very grateful for the generosity of The Shed (Vernon Men害羞草研究所檚 Shed Building) for the use of it.
My sessions will be over in March just in time to start some small repairs on my cold frames and raised beds with the knowledge I acquired and the safety of the tools I am using.
I could have never accomplished this without the knowledge, support and patience of the She Shed mentors. The new seeds are available now at the nurseries and many other outlets. If you want to know if your older seeds are still good, try to germinate about 10 seeds which will give you a percentage of their viability.
If too low just buy new ones but 50 per cent or more you can sow them thickly. I had tomato seeds that were 13 years old and did very well.
Keep your seed in a dry and cool place.
Starting seeds too early does not save time if the plants have to sit in their pots until the soil is warm enough for them like tomatoes. Peppers take a longer time to germinate and grow but they don害羞草研究所檛 like to be transplanted in cold soil.
Look at the time you want to do the transplants and the time it will take you to grow them and go from there. Many vegetables like beets prefer to grow during the spring and early summer. Sew in early spring, as soon as you can work the soil.
If you have to thin them as they grow, do not pull them but cut them off so the soil next to the other roots will not be disturbed. You can use the thinnings in your salad.
My whole yard is clay but the soil in my raised beds warms up faster and all the beds have been amended with compost over the years.
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