Thursday, March 29, 2012
Starting 2012 Rooftop Vegetable Seeds
The rooftop vegetable seeds were started last Saturday. The indoor carrots were moved to the side so that the only thing under the grow light is the seed starting dome.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Reading Round Up: Self Heating Food Edition
Is self-heating food the future?
New Zealand faces shortage of beloved breakfast spread
Something to Chew On: Healthier Hot Dogs Substitute Cellulose for Saturated Fats
This is the year you garden
Coconut and mango waste could help power Asia
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Reading Round Up: Film Farming Edition
Scientists working at creating allergy-free eggs
Is future in film farming?
Rooftop farm for Brooklyn Navy yard
Chinese Fish for Meaning in U.S. Carp Rampage
Apple’s new ‘campus’ to include hundreds of fruit trees for 14,200 employees in Cupertino
Eating any red meat hastens death
Thursday, March 15, 2012
2012 Rooftop Vegetable Seed Selections
Charantais Melon - Hakucho Hybrid
Cherry Tomato - Black Cherry
Eggplant - Pingtung Long
Shelling Peas - Caselode
Sweet Pepper - Flexum Hybrid
Sweet Pepper - Giant Aconcagua
Tomato - Mountain Magic (F1)
Tomato - Summertime Green
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Reading Round Up: Wonderbag Edition
I Am the Lorax, I Speak for Rainbow Sprinkle Pancakes and Mazda SUVs
In the developed world a 'Wonderbag' will save you money - elsewhere it helps save lives
Yes, skeptics, Olive Garden does have a Tuscan culinary institute
Stop-Motion Guacamole
Coke and Pepsi Change Recipes to Avoid Printing Cancer Warnings
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Indoor Vegetable Gardening Carrots and Soybeans
It's been about a month since I planted the carrot and soybean seeds indoors. I think they look pretty good, no signs of disease and the leaves are a nice healthy green.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Reading Round Up: McRibster Edition
Urban Farming with Kids: Seeking Simplicity Through Seeds, Chicks, and More
Nestle Crunch Girl Scout Candy Bar Is Real, But Not Yet Available, Says Girl Scouts
London 2012: Growing for gold with Olympic gardening
McDonald’s Austria Has A Deep-Fried McRib
Determine food freshness with edible silk stickers
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Have you started your seeds yet?
Have you started your seeds yet? When is your target planting date?
It's still too early for me, I won't start mine until the 4th week of March. That may not seem like enough time for the plants to mature, but having a heat mat and grow light really accelerates plant growth. They cut off at least a week's worth of time, if not more, from the seed sowing schedule. Last year was my first year with a grow light and I underestimated its effect on the seedlings. They got so large before the weather warmed up that I had to stop fertilizing them in order to slow their growth.
My target planting date is mid May. Given how mild the winter has been though, things might warm up sooner this year. I'll wait and see what the next few months bring and reassess my schedule by May 1st. If the overnight soil temperature in the containers is warm enough I'll move up my schedule, if not I can wait.
I've come to realize there's no point in hustling plants outside, no matter how eager you are to start gardening. If it's too cold for the plants they'll just sit there and sulk until it warms up. You can even permanently stunt the growth of certain vegetable varieties if you put them out too early. It's better to be safe than sorry, waiting one or two weeks to put plants out doesn't hurt.
Hmmm, maybe I should add that to my rooftop vegetable gardening tips. What do you think?