Garden Archives - Page 2 of 3

How to Pot Up Seedlings

April 8, 2014 by Shari Eckstrom 1 Comment

I was out in the garden yesterday doing a little cleanup in preparation for planting, along with pruning a few of my raspberry bushes, and oh…it felt so right. My head phones were fixed firmly over my ears as I sang along with Chris Collins, I imagine, a touch bit too loudly. As the warm sun beat down on my back, I was lost in happiness in my own little world.

Everything about this time of year gets me excited. For starters, I get to play in the dirt to my heart’s content, and while it can be back breaking, you won’t hear me complain.

I find there is something magnificent about working with the soil; nurturing, tending and watching things grow. It centers me, and brings me to the core of things. I experience a stillness of soul, and recognize I am part of a larger and greater picture. I can’t help but feel closer to God during these times. Maybe that’s why I love it so much.

How to Pot Up Seedlings

This is the third installment of starting plants indoors. If you need a bit of a refresher or are just beginning, be sure to check out How to Start Seeds Indoors before you start, and How to Care For Your Seedlings: Four Essential Elements for Healthy Growth for tips on the care of your seedlings. Both are important foundations for starting plants indoors.

Timing is important when potting up your seedlings.

If you started with a soiless mix, as I suggested, the only nutrients your little seedlings receive are from the endosperm of the planted seed. Once the seedling begins to develop true leaves, nutrients from the endosperm are just about used up. At this stage, seedlings will need to be potted up, or a supplemental fertilizer will need to be given. A balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen and potassium should be applied at quarter strength to meet the necessary requirements your seedlings will need for healthy plant and root growth. Using a diluted fertilizer also helps to prevent burning your delicate seedlings. I typically sow seeds a little more densely to begin with, therefore I prefer potting up my seedlings to give them plenty of room for their roots to grow.

Assemble your supplies.

3 inch Biodegradable pots – If you time your seed starting correctly, it will only be necessary to pot up once. I use 3″ x 3″ biodegradable pots. By the time my plants near outgrowing these pots, it will be time to plant out.

Potting soil – There are many varieties of potting soil to choose from at the local garden shop . In my experience they are all pretty similar, so choose what works best for your ideals and budget . I use Miracle-Gro Organic Choice Potting Mix. Keep in mind more expensive doesn’t always equate to better results.

Prepare the work area.

Working with soil can get pretty messy, so choose your work area with this in mind. I cover the area with an old cloth or piece of plastic: making spills less of a headache for clean up. A large basin or large tray works great for catching excess soil when separating your seedlings.

Potting Up

It is important to start with well watered plants prior to transplanting. Dry, brittle soil can cause excess stress and damage to roots.

Fill new pots half full with potting soil and push to the sides of pot leaving a large indentation in the middle.

Gently remove seedling from current container in one of two ways.

Method 1. Place a finger on either side of the stem of your seedling, being careful to hold the soil and not the stem, invert container and gently squeeze sides of the cell to release the root ball and plant into your hand. Taking care not to grab the plant by its stem, turn plant and root ball right side up.

Method 2. Take the end of a small spoon and gently slide it down the inside of seedling container and lightly pry up soil with root ball and plant as one unit.

Once the seedling and root ball has been extracted from the container and, if there is more than one plant, gently tease the seedling apart, being careful to only hold on by the plants leaves and not by the delicate stem. Leaves will grow back, but if the stem is injured the plant will not survive.

Place the seedling in a container where an indentation was created and fill in around the plant with additional potting mix, holding the plant in place gently by its’ leaves until firmly secured with additional soil. Tap container to help settle the soil and add more potting mix if necessary. Water the soil. To decrease chance of shock, keep seedlings out of direct light for the remainder of the day. Return to lighting schedule as normal, the following day.

Life is Full of Curve Balls

February 26, 2014 by Shari Eckstrom 8 Comments

But life inevitably throws us curve balls, unexpected circumstances that remind us to expect the unexpected. – Carre Otis

Frustration and more frustration has been my principle emotion in preparing for this post on seedlings.

I began in high spirits, sowing my seeds with loving care in great anticipation of what would spring forth. I was not disappointed either, up sprang shoots of green just as they should with all the promise of what was to come. Then, it happened. An unseasonably warm day in our area caused the remaining snow on the ground to melt rather quickly and was followed up by a wild pouring rain. I thought little of the weather at the time, and had no notion of the impending disaster yet to come. My mind was absorbed with wonderful thoughts of disappearing snow and springtime planting. That is until I wandered down to the basement where my plants were happily growing and stepped into an ever spreading lake of water. It was brought about by an unending river flowing through a vulnerable window well.

The mess itself was daunting, but my plants were high and dry and I didn’t think much about them. I unplugged the lighting and heating elements immediately, not wanting to be fried to a crisp as I cleaned up and set to work to stem the tide. Everything was eventually set to rights, but here lies where the mistake was perpetrated. I left my babies (the growing little seedlings) to chance and gave Tim (God bless his soul) the task of plugging everything back in as it should be. Harried as he was, how could he know that a heated seedling mat must be monitored for temperature.

And so, my poor little seedlings were heartily cooked. Some survived, many did not, and thus a little curve ball has been thrown in my path. Pictures become difficult, tempers flare and confidence in my ability is shaken. All the tough things that can occur when life and a curve ball gets thrown in our path. I keep telling myself this is exactly the thing that develops my character; how I respond to these little life challenges. Tomorrow, I promise I will think hard on these things. Today, I remain frustrated.

How to Care For Your Seedlings: Four Essential Elements for Healthy Growth

Resiliency and Strength

February 19, 2014 by Shari Eckstrom 3 Comments

Where there is no struggle, there is no strength. – Oprah Winfrey

The resilient nature and strength we have as human beings is amazing. I see resiliency and strength in a mother, who 1 day shy of turning 42 discovers she is pregnant with triplets. A completely unexpected and miraculous surprise. The idea of triplets alone would be daunting, but to find out as the babies are delivered that “oops, ah, we missed a little something. All three babies have been delivered, but um, we see another set of feet here. It looks like your triplets are actually quadruplets folks” (my personal take on the birthing, not actual quotes from the Doctor).

Wow, can you imagine? From all accounts, what I have seen of this story and the family is beautiful. The parents are taking what comes their way in stride, managing life one step at a time. Great strength and resiliency during a daunting yet joyous time.

I also am privy to a show of resiliency and strength in a time of sorrow. A woman friend of mine is struggling with the reality that her brilliant husband and a longstanding pillar of the community, is slowly losing the mind God so miraculously blessed him with. He who stood strong and courageous in battles waged to better his community, is now facing a different sort of battle. This womans strength to wade in and tackle whatever comes her way, to “just do what has to be done” in the midst of her great pain is awe inspiring and a testament to the resiliency we all can muster up to face whatever challenges that come our way.

Seeing these great examples of strength and resiliency, I am forced to ask myself two questions, “where does this resiliency and fountain of strength come from?” and “will I have what it takes when the time comes for me to face my own challenges?” In answer, I don’t think this kind of strength and resiliency is won overnight, but developed slowly over time in the small challenges and petty annoyances we face everyday. How I handle myself with the small things will determine how I respond when the bigger tests come along. In addition, I am beginning to understand that this kind of strength comes from a source outside myself. It is given to me by God exactly when I need it most. He is always on time giving me the strength I need when I ask Him, and many times even when I don’t. Winter is waning and spring is finally on it’s way. If you haven’t already been thinking about what to plant in your garden, it is time. Hurray! I love getting my hands in the dirt and watching those little shoots spring up from the soil. This is one of my most favorite times of year (actually, I say that about the beginning of every season).

How to Start Seeds Indoors

Saturday Reflection at Pure Grace Farms

September 21, 2013 by Shari Eckstrom 2 Comments

“Without reflection, we go blindly on our way, creating more unintended consequences, and failing to achieve anything useful.’ – Margaret J. Wheatley

Saturdays on the farm are always my favorite. There is no need to set an alarm as I am usually up before the dawn anyway. The house is blissfully quiet as I tiptoe to the coffee pot, pour a cup of coffee and ease into my favorite chair to watch the sun rise over the mountains. As the sky evolves in color from grey to pink, orange to red, finally settling on its shade of blue, I have time to reflect on the week that has past and the week to come.

Today my reflection is on the cold weather that is certainly coming and the need to harvest warm weather crops before the frost sets in. I have left my peppers on the vine as long as I dare, as this past week I have had to cover them twice to keep the frost at bay. Today will be spent harvesting, roasting, drying, chopping and freezing peppers. Tomatoes are still going crazy, so these will have to be attended to as well. Fortunately, last week was spent sun drying tomatoes so I am able to check this task off my list.

Sun drying tomatoes is surprisingly simple to do. The biggest hassle is in keeping the insects away. I use cheesecloth to cover the tomatoes and cover the frames with an additional light garden cloth. Works like a charm. If you need something to dry tomatoes on, check out the homemade drying frames here. Once the tomatoes are dried, put a few in olive oil for a great addition to pasta or salad dishes, I like to eat them straight out of the jar, they are so sweet and better than candy.

Saturday would not be complete without a special nod to one of my favorite blog sites. This weeks nod goes to Earthward. Valeries recipes for pure food are always delicious with beautiful photography. While Earthward does post about local happenings, her tips on seasonal foods like Seasonal eats: 10 reasons to stock up on fresh local tomatoes are informative and worth taking a closer look at.

Enjoy your Saturday and don’t forget to take a few moments for reflecting. I would love to hear what weekend plans you come up with so drop me a line and lets have a nice little chat.