Seedling Travel Cart. 4.29.22

 Most of the seedlings are still too tender, and the nights too unpredictable, to leave them outside or plant them.The sunroom gets too hot during the day, to leave them there, plus they need the outdoor conditions and sun, when it happens, to grow healthy.

So, I bring them in at night, and back out during the day.

Those are mostly tomatoes, chilis, eggplants, basil, and a few others.  The geraniums on the bench, to the right of the rack, have stayed outside for a week or two.  They are ready to plant in the ground or permanent containers, now.

I think the statice, four o'clocks, and remaining carnations can stay outside permanently.  Unless we get a frost.  I want to plant them in their long -term locations within the next week.  Also some Chinese cabbages, celery, and kale.

Tipping Pepper and Eggplant Seedlings for Bushiness. 4.29.22

 When the pepper plants look like they are starting to grow better, I like to remove the growth tip.  The growth tip produces auxin hormones that travel downward, and inhibit buds from growing branches.  When the growth tip is removed, branches grow.  That means more blossoms and fruits, and a stockier plant less likely to fall over.  I'm also trying that with some of the eggplants this year.

Chili Pepper Before Pruning.

And After pruning.

Eggplant before pruning.

And After Pruning.

I hope they put on some good growth and the weather is nice, so they can be planted outside mid to late May.

Camassias Blooming. 4.28.22

 The camassias that I moved are starting to bloom.  They survived the move without problems although the leaves are a little bent.

The flowers are like stars.  They should continue to shoot upward and bloom a lot more.

Dandelions For Chickens. 4.28.22

 I'm almost out of dandelions now.  I dig the big plants in bloom, then feed them to the hens and duck.  They eat it all - flowers, stems, leaves.  This enriches the eggs and makes for yellower yolks.

I hope I can grow a big bunch of marigolds this year, which have the same benefit.

Paper Mulch And Irrigation System for Garlic. 4.28.22

 I weeded the garlic, then cut brown butcher paper for mulch.  That should minimize weeds and conserve water.  I laid the soaker hoses in place.  When it heats up and dries out, I'll test the soakers, possible punch new pinholes in the hoses, and test them.  If they work, then tuck them under the paper mulch.