Planting season begins

For the first time since we began this gardening project, we’re planting according to schedule, utilizing our small hoop house to start seeds as necessary.  We live in Zone 5B, so can expect frost well into May, and even June. On  the other end, we can expect a serious frost in early September.

First into the seed pots will be red cabbage, savoy green cabbage, and  Utah celery. We’ve made paper pots this year. That’s a task for someone who has little or no life. While it is good for the environment, and aside from the cost of the pot maker, it’s pretty cheap, if you value your time, it’s not cost effective.

There is an advantage to the paper pots. No transplanting required. Once the seeds are planted in the seedling medium, with a little worm castings added, they will remain in the same pot until time to set into the ground. Then the whole pot will go into the ground, where the paper quickly decomposes.

If we were using the Jiffy strips (5 x 10), we could get 50 pots into a standard seed tray. With the paper pots, we can only get 36. For this year, that is sufficient as we have 40 foot rows. Looks like about one flat per row for seedlings.

We’ll be starting about half our plants in the hoop house, with the remainder being direct sown into the gardens.

Our hoop house is being converted to the aquaponics system home, so the sooner I can get the seedlings moved to the garden, the happier Cindy will be. Only the north garden box is being used through the season this year. That box will contain most of the herbs we grow.

We’ve learned that one of the conditions of the new large hoop houses will be no seedling containers (no  containers of any kind) allowed. We must direct seed, or raise our seedlings in a different structure. Not sure yet if we’ll construct  any raised beds. Probably not, as we’re also required to have a cover crop during any off season. Also,  we’ll be using a drip system using drip tape. That makes it kinda hard to account for different elevations.

For this year, our “feature crop” is broccoli. We’re planting an entire 15×30 bed. It is one of the most popular crops sold  at the Cedar City Downtown Farmers’ Market. It’s also one of our favorite veggies.

So, here’s what we’re starting in the pots, over the next couple of months.

• Burpee Red Cabbage (Organic) Mar 29 – set out May 10
• Burpee Green Savoy Cabbage (Organic) Mar 29 – set out May 10
• Burpee Utah Celery (Organic) Mar 29 set out Jun 7
• Burpee Broccoli, Waltham 29 (Organic) April 12 set out May 24
• Burpee Cauliflower, Snowball Y (Organic) April 12 set out May 24
• Burpee Genovese Basil (Organic) April 19 set out Jun 14-21
• Burpee Cinnomon Basil (Organic) April 19 set out Jun 14-21
• Botanical Interests Basil Doce Vita Blend (Cinnamon, Genovese, Tall Lemon, Lime, Mammoth and Purple Petra) (Organic) April 19-May3 set out Jun 14-21
• Burpee Hot Pepper, Jalapeno Early (Organic) April 26 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Sweet Pepper, California Wonder (Organic) April 26 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Pepper, Pepperoncini Greek (Organic) April 26 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Squash Vegetable Spaghetti (Organic) April 26 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Tomato Beefsteak (Organic) May 3 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Tomato Gardeners Delight (Organic) May 3 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Tomtato Queen of Hearts Hybrid (Organic) May 3 set out Jun 21
• Burpee Sunflower, Mammoth, Autumn Beauty Mix, Ornamental Mix (Organic) May 3 set out Jun 14
• Burpee Pumpkin Small  Sugar (Organic) May 10 set out Jun 14
• Burpee Squash Waltham Butternut (Organic) May 10 set out Jun 14
• Burpee Brussels Sprouts Long Island Improved (Organic) May 10 set out Jun 7

Our direct sow Certified Organic crops go into the ground between May 24 and Jun 21, with as much as possible ready for the Cedar City Downtown Farmers’ Market opening July 25. Here’s what’s going directly into the ground.

• Burpee Beets, Detroit Dark Red
• Burpee Arugula, Selvatica
• Burpee Carrots, Chantenay
• Burpee Swiss Chard 5 Color Mix
• Burpee Lettuce Great Lakes 118
• Burpee Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson
• Burpee Kale Dwarf Blue Curled Vates
• Burpee Squash Dark Green Zucchini
• Burpee Garden Bean Blue Lake 274
• Burpee Bea Speedy (Dwarf)
• Burpee Cucumber Garden Sweet Burpless Hybrid
• Burpee Kohlrabi Purple Vienna
• Burpee Cantaloupe Hearts of Gold
• Burpee Radish German Giant
• Burpee Radish White Icicle
• Burpee Spinach New Zealand

In addition to the various kinds of basil, we’re also planting a fair amount of cilantro, and chives.

If you’re particularly interested in purchasing  from us directly at the farm, please call for directions and  an appointment.

 

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