Gardening Thoughts

So I have placed an order for seeds from FedCo.

2555 - Giant Winter Spinach ( A=1/4oz) 1 x $1.20 = $1.20
2986 - Summer Lettuce Mix ( A=1g) 1 x $1.10 = $1.10
3034 - Perpetual Spinach or Leaf Beet ( B=1/8oz) 1 x $1.60 = $1.60
3040 - Ruby Red Rhubarb Chard ( B=1/8oz) 1 x $1.10 = $1.10
3459 - White Russian Kale OG ( A=2g) 1 x $1.50 = $1.50

It should ship out within two weeks.

So there are a couple of things to keep in mind with my new garden. One, is that I still have most of the seeds from last year. Two, is that it's a mostly shade garden. However, there is space in front for potted sun-loving plants.

Feedback from Sharon: Greens are the most shade tolerant vegetables. Rhubarb is somewhat shade tolerant (vegetable/fruit borderline), and there are a few minor perennials that are also shade tolerant (check out Eric Toenesmeier’s _Perennial Vegetables_ for suggestions), but you might also want to go with fruit. Currants, blackberries and raspberries are quite shade tolerant.

I am in hardiness zone: 6-7, expected last frost date 3/30-4/30.

onions == full sun
shallots == full sun
potatoes == full sun
garlic == full sun
carrots == full sun

It looks like most root storage veggies are full sun.

Order garlic in mid-June for fall planting from FedCo bulbs.

The Herbs from Last Year
- Cilantro (1 gram) -- likes sun [lightly crush seed pods, soak in water 24-48 hours, let dry before planting]
- German Chamomile (1 gram) -- prefers full sun, can tolerate some shade
- Sweet Basil (4 grams) -- 3-4 hours in warm climates, 6-8 in cool
- Bouquet Dill (4 grams) -- full sun

The Vegetables from Last Year
- Melissa Savoy Cabbage (1/2 gram) -- start inside 8-10 weeks before last frost date -- needs sun
- Arugula (1/16 oz.)
- Salad Bowl Lettuce (2 grams)
- Tiger Eye Dry Bean (2 oz.)
- Vermont Cranberry Shell/Dry Bean (2 oz.)
- Indy Gold Bush Wax Bean (2 oz.)
- Midnight Black Turtle Dry Bean (2 oz.)
- Lincoln Shell Pea (2 oz.)
- Dwarf Grey Sugar Snow Pea (2 oz.)

The Sun-Loving Plants from Last Year
- Heirloom Tomato Mix (1/5 gram)
- "Be My Baby Gene Pool" Cherry Tomato (1/5 gram)
- Rutgers Tomato (1/5 gram)
- Long Red Narrow Cayenne Pepper (1/2 gram)
- Sugar Baby Watermelon (1/16 oz.)
- Arava Cantaloupe (1 gram)
- Raven Zucchini (1/8 oz.)
- Sugar Snax 54 Carrot (1 gram)
- Saffron Summer Squash (1/8 oz.)
- Baby Pam Pumpkin (1/4 oz.)
- Small Ornamental Gourds Mix (1/8 oz.)


I will plant the tomatoes and peppers, but most of the curcurbits I don't think I'll have the room for. :-( I'll have to see what I can do.

Plans for new apartment thus far:

Ideas for the New Apartment
Plans for 2011
Fridge and Freezer Plans
Pantry Plans
Plants that Grow in Shade
Food Storage Tubs