Planting Seeds.

Spring Seed Planting

These are the seeds I planted in the past week.

Alyssum and Bonanza Mix Marigolds in the tomato bed.  They sprouted during the rains of the last week.  Also planted alyssum seeds in the border of the new iris raised bed.

Clemson Spineless Okra - Also in the tomato bed.  Clemson Spineless was introduced by Clemson University in 1939, 50-64 days.  That's in an ideal hot climate - possibly 2 or 3 months here if it bears at all.  After one week of rain, I also saw sprouts.  I read that they require soaking and heat.  So I started some today after soaking with 2 changes of water, for several hours.  I also read Okra doesn't respond well to transplanting.  The seeds I planted today I planted in newspaper-lined containers to reduce transplant shock.

Swiss Chard - in empty squares of the iris bed I set up last weekend.  It will be mid to late summer before I add the irises in those spaces.  I don't want to leave it with bare soil.  Space is at a premium.

Petite Yellow Watermelon ( 65-80 days) and Blacktail Mountain Watermelon (65-75 days) - Haven't tried watermelons here.  Starting in containers, today.  Then into raised bed.  Cleared some space in the raised bed, from winter vegetables.  Some of those didn't do well, others have been harvested - radishes, greens.

Minnesota Midget Canteloupe (60-75 days).  Haven't tried these either.  These are a small melon, 4 inches, and the vines are 3 feet long.  May plant them in containers, not sure yet.  Also starting in containers, today.

Japanese Soyu Burpless Cucumber (65 days).  Starting in containers today.  Will find a place for them.

Asparagus Pea (60-75 days).  Starting in containers.  Will need to fine a place for them too.

Parisian Carrot (55 days) and Red Cored Chantenay Carrot.  (70 Days).  Also in the new iris bed, for the same reason.

Also some cleome seeds for Ning's meadow.

Also the last of the sweet potatoes.  One week ago, I discovered what looked like near dead sweet potato starts in the mailbox.  They were there for the weekend.  I cleaned them up and planted the best looking ones in a half barrel.  These sweet potatoes were described as an early variety, good for the North.  The remaining set I placed in a glass of water, with daily water changes.  They also look better, grew new roots, so I planted them today.

Tomato Bed

Tomato Bed

Tomatoes, planted and ready for some sunshine.  The 3  smaller ones were plants I grew from seeds.  Late start for those.  Also some basil plants.  Last week in this tomato cage, I also planted 2 rows of okra, and edges of sweet alyssum seeds and marigold seeds, which have germinated.

Korean Dogwood

Trees I Planted Sept 2012

Another View of Trees Planted Sept 2012

Greenspire Linden 8 Months Later

Planted Sept 8 2012

May 26 2013

Growing Nicely.  Some care, mulch, compost, and watering, and it looks like it's settled in.   Being May instead of September, everything is greener.

Buddleia

Buddleia

I've planted several Buddleia hybrid shrubs around the Battleground place.  They are sterile hybrids, meaning they do not produce seeds.  Buddleia davidii is illegal in Oregon due to prolific seed production resulting in invasion of the plants into wild places, but sterile hybrids are legal.

Since I bought them at Portland nursery, I wondered about their legality in Washington State.  So I looked it up.

Image is from Wikipedia commons, public domain.  The images of the hybrids I bought are similar, but not identical to this flower.

I wanted Buddleia shrubs due to fast growth for some privacy, and good nectar source for insects.  Especially honeybees, but also other nectar collecting insects.

According to the WA noxious weed website, Buddleia davidii (again, the fertile one) is a Class B noxious weed.  Quoting, "Class B Weeds:  Non-native species presently limited to portions of Washington. Species are designated for control in regions where they are not yet widespread. Preventing new infestations in these areas is a high priority. In regions where a Class B species is already abundant, control is decided at the local level, with containment as the primary goal."

So the species would be considered an issue.  That does not designate sterile hybrids which, by definition, can't be invasive.  In King County, Buddleia davidii are on the nonregulated noxious weed list, which means they are not forbidden but are discouraged.  However, I'm not in King, I'm in Clark County.  I also looked up the Clark County list.  Again, it lists Buddleia davidii, but not hybrids

I think I'll be OK growing these varieties.  I feel like I have to be a lawyer to figure out what I can grow.  Gardening should be a respite.....