Saturday, April 5, 2014

Growing Good Transplants From Seed


Something that we have learned over the last few years is that healthy, sturdy transplants make a huge difference in the success of your garden. When we first started out our plant starts were not much to be proud of. They were usually tall and spindly and many of them didn't survive being transplanted to the garden. It was discouraging to say the least. Another area that has been a challenge, especially as we grew more and  more transplants each year has been keeping track of varieties, start dates, etc. Over the past few years we have slowly developed systems and learned the best methods for growing healthy transplants from seed. We still keep learning new tricks every year, as well as make mistakes every year.

When we first started farming five years ago we had little experience, no infrastructure, and not much money. But we jumped right in and did what we could, learning as we went along. We didn't really have a great place to start plants at the beginning, so we ended up growing them next to every window in the house. After a couple springs of having flats of plants on every available flat surface in the house, we knew we had to come up with a new plan. It got to the point where we had plants on the table, the counters, the washer and dryer, and extra folding tables. So last year we added a small addition which is half greenhouse to the back of the house and bought 4 sturdy metal shelves that hold 24 flats each. It has made a huge difference. We still outgrew the shelves last year and had to set up folding tables, but at least they weren't in the house anymore. We do still start our earliest plants especially peppers and tomatoes on a set of shelves in the house to make sure they stay warm enough.

Now on to the basics of how we organize our seeds and plant records and how we grow our transplants. We start the year off deciding how much of each crop we want to grow and ordering our seeds. When the seeds arrive they first get entered into a spreadsheet on the computer with the name of the variety, the quantity, and where we bought it from. Next the seed packets get stored in shoebox size plastic tubs. I use rubberbands to keep the varieties together, for example all the broccoli, or lettuce, or tomatoes together. Then they go into the boxes in alphabetical order by crop and the boxes are marked with the letters they contain.
Our seed organizing system
I like to have a plan to make sure I get everything started on time so I created another spreadsheet with a date for each week and how many flats of each crop I want to start that week. Of course that is based on how many beds of each crop that we decided on earlier. Then I know how many flats I need Andrew to make for me each week and how much space they will take up in our grow room. Andrew usually makes the flats and I usually plant them. This year I stuck my planting schedule on the refrigerator, that way I will see it and remember to do it! 

We start all our plants in soil blocks that we make with a soil block tool. It compresses the soil mix into 1.5 inch cubes with an indentation on the top for the seed. Each flat holds about 75 soil blocks. We have found this to be a very efficient and economical way to go. We also make our own soil mix, it is cheaper and works better for us. Here is our recipe.For making soil blocks it needs to be very wet, but it also works well in cell packs or pots.

7 1/2 gallons peat
1/2 cup lime (mix with peat)
5 gallons perlite
5 gallons compost 
1 cup blood meal
1 cup phosphate rock
1 cup greensand
Mix well


Flats full of soil blocks
 One seed (two if it is older seed, then thin to one plant) gets planted in each indentation. I do not even cover my seeds. I used to cover them lightly with soil, then I started just gently pressing them in with the end of a pencil, now I just put the seeds in and it works fine. As I plant each flat I place a small sticker with a number on it at one end. This number gets noted on my flat planting record sheet. I keep track of each flats number, crop, variety, date planted and I am supposed to record germination rates and dates but usually forget. This year we have also been taking stickers and putting them on the side of the flats with the name of the varieties. We always plant in even rows so that it is more straightforward. The stickers that we use are the leftover edges from our labels for our lip balm, scrubs, etc.
The flat number
The flat planting record sheet

Keeping records
The varieties marked on the side
After the flats are planted they go on one of the shelves. The early ones start off indoors on a shelf behind the wood stove. We have found that some of the most important factors to growing good starts are warmth, moisture and light. Warmth and moisture are especially important while the seeds are germinating. We check the flats often to make sure they are not drying out at all. Being behind the wood stove keeps them nice and warm but can also dry them out quickly if we are not careful. If you keep your seeds moist and warm they will usually germinate quickly and at a good rate. For a few crops like peppers, tomatoes, and basil we also use a heat mat underneath the flats to keep them consistently warm if the fire is out or something. 

We watch carefully for the first little sprouts to appear. As soon as they do light becomes very important and we move them to a shelf that has fluorescent lights above it. When we first started out we depended solely on sunlight from the windows, but it just wasn't enough and that was the biggest reason for spindly, weak plants. But at the time we didn't spend any money unless we had to so we made due. Thankfully as we have done a little bit better we were able to afford some lights. We have found that it works best to have 2 sets of lights on each shelf, but it does work to have only one if next to a sunny window. Even the plants that are out in the greenhouse addition do better with some supplemental light. 

We start all of our own transplants from seed at this point. In the past we bought onion sets but it is hard to find organic ones(which we are required to use) at all, let alone reasonably priced ones, so we have been starting those ourselves as well. Most crops spend about 4-6 weeks in the soil block and then get transplanted directly to the garden. These include lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, kale, cucumbers, and squash. Some crops spend 4-6 weeks in the soil blocks and then get potted into 4" pots. These are mainly tomatoes, peppers, and basil. The onions and leeks are done a little differently. They are scattered into a flat that is full of soil mix and grown in there until they are ready to separate out and transplant to the garden. 

Well that is the overview of how we start and grow our transplants. Of course there is a lot more I could get into about each crop, how much to water etc., but the main things are keeping your plants moist enough and warm enough and having good lighting. Those three things have made a huge difference in the success of our transplants. If you have any more questions or if I forgot anything please ask!
The flats on the shelf. The bottom shelf without lights hasn't come up yet,
the shelves above have two lights each.

Pepper seedlings

Onions, basil, and tomatoes, in the addition.
 The shelf with the tomatoes has one light on it.

Tomatoes after being potted up into 4" pots

Basil under lights



This is an example of the difference good light makes.
This flat was grown on a shelf that had one light
down the center. You can see that the lettuce in the middle of the flat is
much darker green and lusher. The lettuce on either side looks a little
pale and sickly in comparison. I actually ended up throwing
 out some of the lettuce on the left side because it was so bad.



Thursday, March 6, 2014

Seeds For Sale

It is that time of year when we start dreaming of Spring. Unfortunately it is still too cold and white outside to start working in the garden. But it is not too early to choose seeds and start seedlings indoors. This year we are offering something new for sale. We have selected some our favorite seed varieties that have done well for us and are well adapted to our climate to offer to our customers. If you are interested in purchasing any seeds from us you can either mail us a check( to: 2589 Grimm Rd. Addy, WA. 99101) with a list of varieties you would like and your mailing address or you can find our seeds at Northwest Farm Fresh.  I have a list of available varieties below. They are $2.50 per packet unless otherwise noted. We are also working on getting listings for them up on Amazon and Ebay.
Tomato Seedlings


Pepper Seedlings
Tomato Seed Packages

All Our Packages of Seeds
Available Seeds- 2014

Provider Bean Seeds  










Beans
Provider
Beets
Merlin(F1)
Detroit Dark Red
Broccoli
Blue Wind(F1)
Belstar(F1)
Cabbage
Red Express
Copenhagen
Carrots
Hilmar
Scarlet Nantes
Bolero(F1)
Collards
Flash(F1)
Cucumbers
Marketmore 76 B
Olympian(F1)
Northern Pickling
Fennel
Orion(F1)
Greens
Arugula
Mustard- Green Wave
Mizuna
Pac Choy
Baby Shanghai Green
Kale
Toscano 
Beedy's Camden
Rainbow Lacinto 
Lettuce
Black Seeded Simpson
Buttercrunch
Jericho- Romaine
Red Cross- Red Butterhead
Two Star- Green Leaf
New Red Fire- Red Leaf
Watermelon
Sugar Baby
Peas
Sugar Snap
Peppers
Early Jalapeno
Ace(F1) Bell
Pumpkins
Baby Pam
Racer(F1)
Cinderella 
Radishes
Rover(F1)
Spinach
Tyee(F1)
Bloomsdale long standing
Squash Summer
Bennings Green Tint
Zucchini Elite(F1)
Squash Winter
Jet(F1)-Acorn
Spaghetti
BonBon(F1)
Tomatoes
Super Sweet 100(F1)
Amish Paste
Brandywine
Sungold(F1)
Green Zebra 
Black Krim 
Pruden's Purple 


Thursday, January 30, 2014

Simple Safe Household Cleaner

Having children has made me reevaluate many of the things I do around the house. When it comes to cleaning my house I only want to use products that are safe and non-toxic. I don't want my kids or even myself around all the harsh and toxic chemicals that are in conventional cleaning products. I have been pleasantly surprised by how simple and easy it can be to make many cleansers myself. White vinegar is one of my favorite all purpose household products. Recently I discovered the idea of soaking leftover citrus peels in it and using that as an all purpose cleaner. It works great in the kitchen or the bathroom. It cleans up my greasy stove nicely and is great on my cabinets, mirrors, etc. I have made it with orange, lime or lemon peels, and they have all turned out great. They each add a pleasing scent to the vinegar plus they have great antibacterial properties and help cut grease. The last batch I made with lemon peels and added a few sprigs of fresh rosemary. I think you could make several combinations of citrus and herbs depending on what you wanted. Many herbs have their own antibacterial properties and with a little research you could decide which ones you wanted to use. The process to create this cleaner is so simple!

What you will need: glass jar, any size you want distilled white vinegar citrus peels of your choice a few branches of fresh herbs if desired spray bottle strainer and funnel

Method: Simply place leftover citrus peels in the jar. Gently press down and cover with vinegar. Screw on a lid and let sit for about 3 weeks. Strain vinegar into an empty spray bottle. Use full strength on surfaces such as greasy stovetops or dilute with half water for cleaning mirrors.

Here are a few herbs you might like to add:
Thyme - has antibiotic and disinfectant properties
Sage - effective on germs and also has many anti-fungal properties
Rosemary - anti-microbial properties
Lavender – disinfectant, antiseptic, natural antibiotic properties
Peppermint - antibacterial properties
Cinnamon Sticks - anti-fungal and anti-microbial


Lemon peels and fresh rosemary in white vinegar

After sitting for 3 weeks simply strain into a spray bottle

The finished product!

Friday, December 27, 2013

Farm Trucks in Winter

In the wintertime when there are no Farmer's Markets we don't use our farm trucks much. Most of the winter they just sit parked in the snow waiting for the busy season of spring to come again.



A cold winter's morning. Crabapples covered with sparkling ice crystals with
the trusty old farm trucks resting for the winter under a blanket of snow
in the background.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

10 Degrees Outside

It is about ten degrees outside. I have absolutely no desire to go out there. My ideas of perfect activities on such a cold day includes reading books on the couch, making crafty things, and drinking hot chocolate. The boys however think otherwise. David keeps begging to go out to play, while Matthew brings his boots over to me every few minutes indicating that he wants me to put them on him. Finally I reluctantly bundle them and myself all up. The snow pants, the coats, the hats, the gloves, the boots. It takes at least ten minutes to get everyone ready for what I know will probably only be about five minutes of outdoor fun. It feels like such a chore. But when we finally make it outside it is worth it. It is worth it to see the sparkle in their eyes, the rosy glow on their cheeks, and the smile on their faces. Even though it does only last five minutes before they are cold and ready to go back inside.
Matthew

David

Friday, December 6, 2013

Paper Lanterns

Paper Lanterns
On these colder, darker days of winter we need to do all we can to brighten and cheer our homes. I love the cozy glow of the fire in the woodstove and the soft radiance of strands of white lights hung around the house. Something I saw several years ago at someone's house was a strand of origami paper lanterns. They were so lovely. And so simple. All it was, was a set of origami boxes/ balloons on a strand of white Christmas lights. I already knew how to make the little origami boxes/ balloons so I decided to make myself a set. The first set I made was actually a bit expensive because I went and bought two packages of fancy origami paper. This time I only spent about five dollars, $2 on a strand of twenty white lights, and $3 on a 100 pack of colorful 6"x6" scrapbook paper. Scrapbook paper is ideal for this project; it comes in just the right size, a variety of beautiful colors and patterns, and you can get a whole book of it for a few dollars. It is a simple project to do. It only requires some time and quite a bit of paper folding. During a movie is the perfect time to do it. If you want to make a set for yourself, here is how.

Start with a strand of 20 white lights and a pack of 6"x6" scrapbook paper

Take out one sheet of 6"x6" scrapbook paper
1. Fold paper in half diagonally
2. Open up and fold diagonally the other direction
3. Bring the corner of the triangle up to the center point
4. Bring the other corner up to form a square

5. Open paper up so inside is facing you
6. Begin to bring the two creases on opposite sides of the paper together
7. As they come together it will form into two triangles
8. Flatten and place on the table

9. Bring the two corners up to point. Flip over and do the same for other
two corners, forming a square.

10. Fold two corners of square in, meeting at the center,
repeat on other side.

11. Next fold free corner and tuck into previously folded corner.
Repeat for all four.

12. Pull open slightly. Find the end with the hole and gently blow
in a puff of air until the balloon inflates.
13. Insert white light into the hole. Jiggle gently until it is on securely.
Now make 19 more and you have a whole strand!


The Finished  Light Strand

Pretty Lanterns Hanging Above My China Cabinet