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Not Your Grandma's Heirlooms: Three Things to Know about Heirloom Roses
What exactly are heirloom roses? Heirloom roses (also called old or antique) are all the types of roses that were in existence prior to 1867 when the first hybrid tea rose was introduced in France. The heirloom roses became less popular with gardeners...
Rocking' Roses - The Top Ten Favorite Garden Roses
Roses are some of the oldest and most popular plants to grow. They are a symbol of love and prosperity all around the world. A bouquet of roses is a sure way to bring a cheek to cheek smile to anyone's face. Sitting out in the midst of a rose garden you...
Perfumed Posies - Ten most Popular Fragrant Roses
The rose attracts people to it for its unique shape, but you've got to admit, most people are attracted for its smell primarily. It's the smell that drives women to request it for a birthday or anniversary celebration. Roses are the premier way to say I love...
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Climate Control - The Best Roses to Grow in your Climate
What type of roses should you grow? Should you go with the popular Hybrid Teas or the hearty, far reaching Climbing Roses? Well, before you go with any type of rose, do your research.
When planting roses, save yourself some sorrow and pick roses that...
Trellis Training - What you need to know about Climbing Roses
Climbing Roses are a wonder of the rose world. Planting one can really spice up your rose garden or enhance the quaintness of your surroundings. You will be amazed at the vigorous, hungry growth of these powerful plants. They can be trained to climb on top...
Persnickety Pests: Ten Creepy Crawly Enemies of Roses
If you are having problems with your roses, insects may be responsible. They can do a lot of damage if you do nothing to chase them away. Here is an overview of ten creepy crawly enemies of roses and some ways to identify them.
1. Aphids
Aphids...
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Preparing Successful Seedlings
Growing your own seedlings is very gratifying and far more economic than purchasing them. It also gives you far greater control over your existing growing conditions.
Vegetable seeds need a light, friable soil that will hold moisture, to grow. Seeds must absorb 40-60% of their weight in water to trigger germination. They also need air. When they sprout, they take up moisture from the film of water around the soil particles, they take up air from the space between those particles. So soil quality is extremely important. Compacted soil will not allow your seeds to sprout.
A good seed raising mixture could be the answer if you are unsure of the quality of your soil. Individual 'peat pots' are a great invention because the whole pot goes into the ground without disturbing the roots of your baby plants.
Warmth is also important to growing from seed. Most garden seeds will germinate if soil temperature is around 20C. For colder climates seed beds must be kept warm either by having them in a sunny protected spot in or near the house (like a porch or garage, out of the elements) or in a glass covered cold frame. For most vegetable seeds you can expect a germination time of 6-20 days. In another 4-5 weeks, those seedlings should be transplanted into your outdoor no dig garden bed.
It's a good idea to treat seeds with a good, all purpose fungicide (something like a Rose Dust or Tomato Dust will be fine)
before planting. Place a small amount, just the tip of a knife end, into the packet, reclose and shake until the seeds are covered. This will protect them from 'damping off', a common problem with very young plants.
Care of Seedlings
Seeds must be kept moist but not wet until the seedlings emerge. This may take between 1-3 weeks, depending on the plant type.
As they grow stonger, thorough but less frequent watering is required. They will need shade when young but should be increasingly exposed to the sun so they become used to conditions in the garden. Water in the morning rather than at night.
Transplanting
Mark where you plan to put each of your plants. Use a trowel to make a hole large enough to take the root system. Gently prise out the seedling from its container taking as much of the soil as you can with it into the garden bed. Firm the soil around the plant in its new position, cover the area with mulch and water in gently.
It is best to transplant in the late afternoon or evening to give the plants time to settle in less stressful conditions. About the Author
Judy Williams (www.no-dig-vegetablegarden.com) splits her time between being a media executive and an earth mother goddess. No Dig Vegetable Gardens represents a clean, green way to grow your own food. The site covers all aspects of growing, cooking and preserving your harvest.
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