With the weather we've been having lately it's easy to forget we're still 7 weeks from the last frost date in the Twin Cities. According to the local news if we don't have any snow during the next week it will be the first time in history (last 150 recorded years) that there was no snowfall in the Twin Cities during March. It sounds like we're likely to break that record as the extended forecast has the low's above freezing! After the cold winter we've had it's hard not to be excited about all this warm weather despite its negative effects.
Anyway, still planning conservatively around the historical last (90%) frost date here were 7 weeks out, and that means starting some other plants indoors. Leeks, thyme, sorrel, savory, and nasturtium make up this third phase of seed starting. All these plants are usually planted a week after the last frost date and can be comfortably started 8 weeks before transplant.
We start leeks the same way as onions in rubbermaid containers bunched together in rows that will be divided during planting. The rest of the plants get started in individual cells, and for our needs filled a little less than one 72 cell flat. The extra cells of that flat are filled with two peppers we're starting a little late. We requested Pepperonchini and Paprika peppers though the SSE exchange but they arrived late so they are not getting started until now.
Making room for this extra flat in the main seed starting setup means that the tomato seedlings will need to be moved into the extended setup. The tomatoes have their first set of true leaves so we will transplant them into larger containers before moving them.
3 comments:
Did I read correctly that you started leeks from seed? Did you get the seeds locally?
I was asking at Mother Earth Gardens yesterday and the woman told me that they don't get those as seeds...and that I was likely too late anyway to start them anyway. True??
Thanks!
Erica
Yes we start our leeks from seed. Our leek seed came from High Mowing Organic Seeds. They are a great company to work with and our #2 choice for seed after Seed Savers.
Not sure why they would not carry leek seeds, they are easy to start from seed, and are a pretty popular crop. Anyway, it is not too late to start leeks. Onions form seed take a long time (we started those back in mid feb) but leeks are best started 4-6 weeks before transplant. Starting leeks too early will actually result in growing and transplanting problems.
Locally try the flagship Bachmans or head over to Gertens (they have a very extensive seed collection). If you call them and neither have any let us know and we'll set you up with some of our extra seeds.
Thanks!!!! :-)
Erica
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