Spring Yesterday, Snow today and…. ? March 8, 2010

What will March bring???  We’ve already had a repeat of last year’s bizarre rogue snow storm, but today the sun is blazing!  How could you not be inspired about nature, when you wake up to scenes like this!

FROST!!!

OK, on to garden news!  Our starters are doing amazingly in the big bay window.

Everything that was started back in February is up to greet the sun!  We have our first set of true leaves today on all of the tomatoes and they are measuring about 2.5 inches tall.  Good morning tomatoes!

Once the seedlings reach between 3-6 inches, we’ll have to transfer the seedlings to something larger and start burying the stem to encourage the tomato to build some really strong roots.

Monday is our regular garden meeting day!  We’ve been stuck inside all winter (but doing lots of planning), and I think this is finally the day to gather the families to check out our beds at the Community Demonstration Garden.  We are meeting every Monday morning from 10:30-12ish either at the garden or the Family Place depending on the weather.  If you’re interested in being involved, or would like more information, please call Liz at the Family Place or email us prsprouts@gmail.com

It’s Time To Start Planting! February 27, 2010

So, as we approach March, it’s time to get some seeds started indoors!  Intimidated, not sure what to plant?  No worries, it’s Simple!

Gardens.com has created an amazing interactive garden planner!  Pick from 6 pre planned gardens, or create your own by dragging and dropping in crops.  The planner will tell you how many to plant in each square foot and even gives you some tips on when to plant.

http://www.gardeners.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-Gardeners-Site/default/Page-KitchenGardenDesigner

West Coast Seeds has a great reference chart for what can be started when (both indoors and out),and when to transplant to outdoors.  It’s based on the BC coast, so it’s a good guideline to follow!  Here is the summary of the chart

• February: Peas, broad beans and radishes (under cover). Leeks, sweet onions, fennel, parsley and celery can be started indoors.
• March: Arugula, cilantro and spinach (under cover), radishes, Oriental greens, parsnips, kale and collards, garlic and corn salad. Artichokes, peppers, tomatoes, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower can be started indoors.
• April: Beets, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, radicchio, cilantro, Swiss chard, fennel, kohlrabi, lettuce, leeks, onions, scallions, spinach and turnips. Indoors: Eggplant and melon.
• May: Bush and pole beans, corn, celery, tomatoes (transplanted under cover), artichokes (transplanted) squash, pumpkin and parsley. Indoors: cucumbers.
• June: Rutabagas directly into the garden, peppers and cucumbers (transplanted under cover).

So far, we’ve started our tomatoes and peppers.  Here is what you need to start indoor seedlings -

• Peat Pots and trays to put them in
• An assortment of seeds
• A good organic starter mix (miracle grow actually has a very mulchy one out this year, and you can also get an organic started sunshine mix from Springtime Nursery)
• Good window light (preferably south facing if possible!)

Plant the seeds, keep the soil moist and in 1-2 weeks, you should start to see some little seedlings come through!

If you want more information on growing and gardening with kids, Kids Gardening is a great resource!

So, plan a fun afternoon with the kids and get started!

Welcome to the Powell River Family Gardening Program February 23, 2010

With seeds in hand and a seemingly early approaching spring, we’re excited to launch our Powell River Gardening Program!  Look in the weeks to come for more information.  We currently have 4 beds located at the demonstration garden behind the Community Resource Garden, and we’re ecstatic to have 1250 sqft of land donated to us behind the Seventh Day Adventist Church.  Wow!!!  So much planning to do in the next few weeks.  Here is the beginning…

If you are interested in taking part of the garden program, or have more information, please contact the Family Place, or email prsprouts@gmail.com  -