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Monday, February 8, 2010

So, when do I plant my seeds? and prepper links

Hi all! Once again, I'm assuming that you have made the decision that this year will be the year that you're going to start gardening. (I sure hope you've made that decision!) So, when do you plant your seeds? Do they all go in the ground at the same time? Can you plant some things earlier than others? I'm going to try to answer these questions with the help of a few other bloggers.

On the seed starting post I did, I had a link to the IL state climetologist office with a map showing the (app) last spring frost dates. I thought the link was so interesting because it showed dates earlier than what we typically go by here in northern Il. (Hmmm, are those crazy 'global warming' scientist messing with our charts to make it look like the hoax is real??) But, whatever map you use, you need to identify the date of your last spring frost because that is when you can safely plant seeds. But, some seeds enjoy weather that's a bit cooler so those seeds can be planted earlier. Those include asparagus crowns, cabbage seed, collards, broccoli, kohlrabi, leek, lettuce, peas, irish potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnips. These seeds will do much better if they're allowed to germinate and start growing in cooler conditions!! Get them in as early as you can! You can put a few seeds in every week so that you have successive crop harvest instead of it coming all at once. Also, if you do have a damaging late frost of early seedlings, you've got those later ones to rely on.

If you're starting seeds indoors, note your spring planting date and count backwards. The seed packet you buy should say how long before planting to start seeds indoors. Typically it's 6-8 weeks before planting. I'll be staring my seeds sometime in March for planting that will (hopefully) begin the end of April and continue through May.

Humble Wife over at NM preppers network had a great post about how she uses plastic milk jugs and pop bottles as 'greenhouses' to start seeds and protect things that she's planted early. I'm so excited about this! I've already started collecting milk jugs and I'm planning on using them as greenhouses for my tomatoes. I want to get them set out as early as possible!

Another great tip came from Upinak over at AK preppers network. Obviously, folks in Alaska have a much shorter growing season and look for any way to guarantee a harvest in a short amount of time. Upinak recommends putting your seeds in the freezer for a week (and then removing and warming up) before planting. She says she always sees better germination rates. I'm going to give this a try this year and see how it goes!

So, plan that garden, buy those seeds, freeze 'em, and get ready to plant indoors and out. Enjoy the delightful journey that is your garden!

Prep on!
Gen-IL Homesteader

7 comments:

upinak said...

Gen,, awww thankies!

I was thinking about you when I put up my container garden blog.

Check your email woman!

Humble wife said...

Thank you:)...I love this post and neat tip on freezing the seeds. I never had heard of that before.

WOnderful post!!
Jen

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Upinak, So sorry I missed your email. It went to my spam folder. I finally did respond. Oops!
You're welcome! You've got great posts up there!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another informative post. I, too will be doing the milk jugs this year. BTW- we have 6 in our family. 4 Kids from 7-17, so having a productive garden is a must. Disheartening about the IRS. How are people supposed to live? This does not even count the health care bill, if it passes at some point.

Stay warm, looks like were in for another round of snow. Yuk!

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

You're welcome, Jen! I've enjoyed NM posts for a long time. You do a great job! (And I seriously am going to use milk jugs as greenhouses to plant early!!)

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Thanks, Shelly! I grew up as the 3rd out of 4 kids. I loved it! I always felt a bit bad for my kids since I only had 2. They missed alot of the fun! Yes, it seems that the fedgov just doesn't want us to have any of our own money to spend. Sickening.
The snow is here! Wonder how many times we'll be shoveling today??? :)

Gen-IL Homesteader said...

Thanks, Shelly! I grew up as the 3rd out of 4 kids. I loved it! I always felt a bit bad for my kids since I only had 2. They missed alot of the fun! Yes, it seems that the fedgov just doesn't want us to have any of our own money to spend. Sickening.
The snow is here! Wonder how many times we'll be shoveling today??? :)

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